On Thursday, October 29, the Sophomore Class Council hosted The Pink Print: Knowing Your Pink led by Miss Sophomore, Summer Bracey.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month came to an end, students gathered in the General Classroom Building Auditorium to receive vital information related to breast cancer in a fresh and innovative way.

The participants brought awareness to the forefront in a fashion forward manner exhibiting hand designed t-shirts, undergarments and ensembles.

The fashion showcase featured designs by the self proclaimed “Artrepreneur”, Imani Harris’ Pish Posh Apparel and Fashion Xcetera, a campus-based organization that features collaborations between designers and a modeling troupe.

The program also featured spoken word, lyrical dance, a jazz ensemble, and two guest speakers, including N.C. A&T alumnae and breast cancer survivor, Linda Summers, and Ms. Nora Jones. Throughout the event, students received eye-opening statistics, personal stories from survivors, and learned essential steps to being screened for breast cancer.

Summers shared her inspiring story of her uphill battle with cancer as a college student in the late 90’s. She encouraged students to understand the effects of cancer, the importance of getting tested, and living a healthy lifestyle.

She also stressed the significance that breast cancer is not gender specific and has affected males more frequently in recent years. “Look to your left and right, someone in this room will get cancer,” Summers said solemnly.

Nora Jones is the executive director of the Partnership Project and the founding President of the Sisters Network of Greensboro, Inc. According to Ms. Jones, this is the only national breast cancer organization for African American women in the United States.

Breast Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among African American women and some men. It is a N.C. A&T tradition each year for Miss Sophomore to plan a breast cancer awareness event. Bracey was ecstatic about upholding this tradition and ensuring that students received information about the powerful disease in an interactive and entertaining way.

“I wanted to do something interactive and interesting for the students,” said Bracey. “It was important because cancer is a very dear subject to me. Instead of researching online or reading information in a pamphlet, students received the concept in a uplifting way”.

The PinkPrint concept utilized fashion as a means of expression to invoke emotion while emphasizing “Knowing Your Pink” and embracing it.

Breast cancer affects everyone. According to statistics derived from breastcancer.org, 231,840 women are affected by breast cancer in America alone.

That is almost twelve percent of the national population. The program shed light on a shocking statistic which most individuals are not aware of. The same source revealed that 2,350 men in the United States have been diagnosed with breast cancer as well.

Bracey’s ultimate goal was to shed light on a rising health issue that affects the African American community significantly. “I want people to realize that cancer is real, we all need to be informed about it because any of us can get it; especially African Americans,” Summer stressed.

Deja Bickham – Contributor