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October 2026 - Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month

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Category: Health Education Resources

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed every October in the United States, officially declared by Congress in 1989, and serves to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote action against domestic violence. It aims to educate communities, honor victims, and encourage collective action to end domestic violence.

In October, though purple and pink observances both promote health and can include celebrating survivors, congregations often speak more publicly about breast cancer and promote its prevention at a much higher rate than Domestic Violence (DV) or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Did you know that the popular saying associated with breast cancer awareness – “Early detection saves lives” – is also true about DV and IPV?

Here are some alarming statistics:

  • 40% of Black women will experience DV across their lifetimes, compared to 30% of white women.
  • Black women are 3 times more likely to die because of IPV than white women.
  • Worldwide, more than 5 women or girls are killed every hour by an intimate partner or family member.
  • In the US, every day, 3 women are killed by an intimate partner.

According to The Black Women’s Health Imperative, DV is the number one health issue facing Black Women. We all know that Black women are the backbone of The Black Church.  

If you suspect that someone is in an abusive relationship – physically, psychologically, emotionally, financially, or technologically:

  1. Create a safe space for a private conversation.
  2. Begin by saying something like, “You don’t seem like yourself lately…”
  3. Listen without interrupting.
  4. Assure the person that s/he is not to blame and has no reason to be ashamed.
  5. Do not judge or suggest a course of action.
  6. Assure the person that s/he is not alone.
  7. Give him/her time and space to feel comfortable opening up to you.
  8. Encourage the abused person to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling (800) 799-7233 or texting BEGIN to 88788.

Support Resources: These services offer crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals.

Videos (optional viewing as they may trigger strong emotional response)

October 2026 - Know Your History, Know Your Risk

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Breast cancer touches every family in some way. Black women face breast cancer at similar rates to white women, yet they die from it at higher rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing your family history and your personal risk factors gives you the power to catch concerns early and act with confidence.

Most early-stage breast cancers show up first on a screening mammogram, before any symptoms appear. Breast cancer can also announce itself through physical changes, so pay attention to your body and visit a health care provider when you notice anything different in your breast or underarm area.

This week, take one step toward your health. Read through the resources below, start a conversation with a family member about your health history, and schedule that screening you've been putting off.

Understanding Your Risk

Family history and personal risk factors shape your path forward. Start here:

  • Know your family history - gather your family's health story
  • Know your normal - learn the signs your body might show
  • Know your risk - explore the factors that affect you most
  • Genetics and breast cancer - understand inherited risk and genetic testing

Screening Basics

Early detection saves lives. These guides walk you through the process:

  • When to get screened - follow current screening recommendations
  • What to expect at your mammogram - prepare for your appointment with confidence
  • Follow-up test guidance - most follow-up calls lead to good news

Getting High-Quality Care

Strong communication with your care team builds trust and better outcomes:

  • Talk with your doctor - ask the right questions at every visit
  • The truth about clinical trials - learn why representation in research matters
  • Become an Advocate in Science - bring the patient voice to breast cancer research
  • Advocate for affordable health care - help build lasting change for everyone

Resources

This information is for education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Talk with your health care provider about the screening and care plan that is right for you.

October 2026: Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Faith, Action & What We All Need to Know

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Category: Health Education Resources

Every October, the world turns pink. But breast cancer awareness is more than ribbons and campaigns—it is a call for all of us to know, act, and advocate.

For Black women, that call is especially urgent. Although breast cancer can affect anyone, Black women experience higher breast cancer mortality and are more likely to develop aggressive forms of the disease, including triple-negative breast cancer. These disparities reflect a complex combination of biological factors and persistent inequities in access to timely, high-quality care.

And brothers, this includes you, too. Breast cancer is far more common in women, but men can develop it. Knowing the signs and encouraging the people we love to seek care can make a difference.

Turn Awareness Into Action

Know your body. Women and men alike should pay attention to changes such as a new lump, swelling, skin changes, nipple changes or unusual discharge—and report concerns promptly to a healthcare provider.

Get screened. Talk with your healthcare provider about when mammography should begin and how often you should be screened. Your age, family history and personal risk may affect the recommendation.

Know your family history. Talk with relatives on both sides of the family about breast and other cancers and share what you learn with your healthcare provider.

Be your own advocate. Ask questions. Follow up promptly on abnormal results. If your concerns aren't being addressed, seek another medical opinion.

We Are Not Alone

Bay Area organizations—including the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Bay Area Cancer Connections, Bay Area Young Survivors, and community-based peer navigation programs—offer education, support and navigation.

This October, let's move beyond awareness. Know your risk. Take action. Encourage a sister, brother, family member or friend to do the same.

Faith calls us to care. Love calls us to act.

Sources:

Stanford Medicine | Stanford Cancer Institute SCI Breast Cancer and African Americans Conference | Stanford Cancer Institute

September 2026 - Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: What Every Man Needs to Know — Especially in Our Community

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September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to have a real talk about something that often flies under the radar — the prostate. This small gland plays a huge role in men’s health, and prostate cancer is a serious concern, especially for Black men. With the Prostate Cancer 2500™ Care Summit coming up on October 17, 2026, it’s a great moment to get informed, understand your risks, and take action.

What’s the Prostate, Anyway?

Imagine the prostate as a walnut-sized gland sitting just below your bladder, wrapping around the tube that carries urine out of your body. Its main job? Producing the fluid that helps keep sperm healthy. Because of where it sits, any changes in the prostate can affect both how you urinate and your sexual health.

Here’s the tricky part: prostate cancer often doesn’t show symptoms early on, which is why catching it early is so important.

Why Prostate Cancer Matters

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the U.S. Let’s look at some data:

  • Over 266,000 new cases in 2023
  • Nearly 35,000 deaths in 2024
  • An estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths expected in 2026
  • The good news? If caught early, the 5-year survival rate is an impressive 97–98%.

How It’s Diagnosed

Between 2019 and 2023:

  • 70% of cases were localized, meaning the cancer was confined to the prostate
  • 14% had spread to nearby areas
  • 9% had spread to distant parts of the body

Survival rates are nearly 100% for localized and regional cases but drop significantly if the cancer spread further.

Trends Over the Years

Prostate cancer rates have shifted over the last 30 years:

  • The 1990s saw a spike thanks to the introduction of PSA testing
  • From 2007 to 2014, incidence rates dropped by about 6.4% per year
  • But from 2014 to 2021, rates climbed again by 3% per year, mainly due to more advanced cases

Older men, especially those between 55 and 69 and those over 70, are seeing the fastest rise in advanced prostate cancer.

Why Black Men Should Pay Extra Attention

Black men face a heavier burden when it comes to prostate cancer:

  • They have a 67% higher chance of getting it compared to white men
  • Their mortality rate is twice as high

This makes early detection and awareness in communities throughout Oakland and Alameda County absolutely critical.

PSA Testing: Your Simple Health Ally

The PSA test is a quick blood test that can detect prostate cancer before symptoms show up. It helps doctors monitor your prostate health and catch aggressive cancers early, improving treatment success.

Join Us: Prostate Cancer 2500™ Care Summit

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland. This event is designed to support men in our community with:

  • Free/no-cost PSA testing
  • Talks from expert physicians
  • Inspiring survivor stories
  • Resources tailored for men and their families
  • Education focused on Black men’s health

Final Thoughts

Your health is your wealth. A simple blood test could be the difference between life and loss. This September, and especially on October 17, take charge. Get informed. Get tested. Show up.

References

  1. U.S. Cancer Statistics Prostate Cancer Stat Bite | CDC
  2. Prostate Cancer — Cancer Stat Facts | SEER
  3. Prostate cancer statistics, 2025 | American Cancer Society

September 2026 - National Food Safety Month

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Category: Health Education Resources

September is National Food Safety Month! 

This year’s theme, “Everyone’s Table,” is built around the idea that every person eats, and food safety should be a part of that shared experience no matter where a meal takes place. Whether someone is eating in a school cafeteria, a break room, at a dining room table, in a car, or some other setting, they deserve the same safe experience.

Food safety doesn’t stop once you leave the kitchen. Wherever you eat, whether that’s a kitchen table, a break room, or your car, food safety still matters. Join in bringing awareness to safe food practices that help to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Help share this information and take collective efforts in sharing food safety information. You can help prevent food poisoning by following a few simple habits, no matter where you are eating.

Follow these four steps and the food at your table will be safe to enjoy: 

  1. CLEAN! Wash your hands often with soap and water, including right before you eat at your table
  2. SEPARATE! Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods like fresh fruit and vegetables so that everything gets to your table safe
  3. COOK! Use a food thermometer to make sure food is cooked to a safe internal temperature
  4. CHILL! Refrigerate or freeze meat and other perishable foods quickly after you’re done at the table

Find safe cooking temperatures for meat, poultry, and eggs, plus more tips for preparing food safely: www.fightbac.org/food-safetybasics/the-core-four-practices/

Sources:

  • CDC, FDA, USDA

Partnership for Food Safety Education  Four Food Safety Practices to Follow at Home | Partnership for Food Safety Education

  1. September 2026 - Blood Cancer Awareness Month: Lifting Up Our Community
  2. September 2026 - Sickle Cell Awareness Month: Strength, Struggle and Hope in the Black Community
  3. August 2026: Stress Free Routines - Returning to Structure with Grace
  4. August 2026: Rest and Renewal - Vacations for the Soul
  5. August 2026 - National Wellness Month

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