Pink and yellow filled the streets of downtown St. Louis as a sea of walkers celebrated strength, sisterhood and survival at the 16th Annual Sista Strut Walk and Pep Rally.
Supporters wore bright yellow shirts featuring the silhouette of a Black woman’s bust and the words ‘Sista Strut’ in her kinky bun. Survivors proudly wore pink. The back of each shirt bore the logo of the event’s producer, iHeart Media St. Louis.
The yellow shirts were for the supporters. The pink ones were for the survivors. The walk takes place every October to align with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Cancer does not have to be your end,” said April Isaac, proudly wearing her pink survivor shirt. “You need positivity, you need prayer and a great support system and you’ll be fine.”
She also wore a hot pink tulle skirt with a bow to match in her locs. Her look was accessorized with pink pearls that delicately outlined her face. She was at the Saturday event not only as a survivor, but to show that there is light at the end of breast cancer’s frightening tunnel for Black women.
“Mindset is everything,” said survivor Janet Johnson. This was her first Sista Strut without her husband in 11 years. He died in December. “Have a positive mindset, have positive people around you and trust in the Lord,” she said as words of encouragement to the millions of women — and men — battling breast cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. But while diagnosis rates are similar between Black and White women, outcomes are far from equal.
The CDC reports that Black women are about 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer. The death rate is nearly twice as high among those under 50.
Although overall breast cancer deaths have declined in recent decades, progress has been slower for Black women, and the survival gap persists in nearly every state.
The event sought to transform those grim numbers into a message of love and determination. It felt as much like an HBCU homecoming pep rally as an awareness walk and rally.
The day began with a moment of silence and a balloon release led by BJ the DJ, honoring those lost to the disease. Pink balloons drifted into the sky — a vivid symbol of remembrance and support.
The tone soon lifted as radio personalities DJ Cuddy, MZ MEL, Yomp C.E.O., and official host BJ the DJ kept the energy high with viral dance challenges and live performances.
Harris-Stowe State University’s Amazing Honey Combs majorettes shared their talent, and the Riverview Gardens High School Marching Band added its own high-energy performance — both bringing big smiles and bright energy to the already sunny morning.
As Kirk Franklin’s “Brighter Day” flowed through the crowd, walkers gathered in the street singing, “I never knew I could be so happy.” For survivors and families, the lyrics took on new meaning — joy born of endurance.
With BJ the DJ leading the countdown and DJ Stew.Net keeping the beats flowing, the crowd waved their hands and cheered as the walk began — a moving testament to fellowship, faith and the ongoing fight for a cure.