I’m so excited to recap my nonprofit Painted Pink’s #InHerwork themed 6th Annual Brunch. At first thought, breast cancer is viewed as an older women’s disease. Our nonprofit’s goal is to reduce this stigma, empower millennials to take charge of their breast health and to make living preventatively “in”.
WHY AM I PAINTED PINK?
- My sister had a couple benign lumps removed in early 20s and my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly their after. As a result, my sister felt charged to start the cause because there was not a lot of discussion on millennials and their potential risk or highlighting young women diagnosed. This personal tie and need to educate peaked my interest.
2. Before this I didn’t think that I had any interest in health, but as I learned about how through lifestyle changes like clean beauty ( a topic I love), clean eating, and working out millennials could reduce their lifetime risk, I found my purpose in the cause.
3. I learned that there is a great disparity in which black women are more likely to be diagnosed with more aggressive stages under age 40. In addition, black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than other races although they are not the majority diagnosed.
In Georgia, where Painted Pink is based the stats are even higher so we felt charged to serve. Our board is made up of five, my sister, Ann-Marie, who is the founder; Tayler, Gloria, and Manica. Since I’m in New York, I carry out most of my tasks remotely.
A few weeks ago, the annual brunch took place in Atlanta at Piedmont Park Greystone. For our 6th year, we wanted to be intentional in taking it to the next level by bringing the #InHerWork theme to life through quotes and interactions. 150 guests made up of preventative millennials and survivors, 30 of them sponsored, gathered in their PINK best to celebrate the cause. 
We had a panel of 4 pink warriors and a previvor including Mama Tammaye from Queer Eye season 1. I’m super thankful that she was able to join us. I loved her story on the show and felt the spirit from her testimony.A new addition to our program was the inclusion of a previvor testimony from Larissa who had the PAL 2 gene so she underwent a preventative mastectomy after her mother had passed from the disease . Another survivor, Cassy shared about being diagnosed at 27 with no family history and having to make the tough decision to send her daughter to live with her family in Virginia while she completed treatment. She had attended the brunch last year and felt it on her spirt to return and speak.
The fourth survivor, Felicia shared about being the first person in her family in 20 years to survive breast cancer. Her mom and aunts had all passed from the disease. What a testimony!
Afterwards, our guests were treated to a book QNA and signing with Chris-Tia Donaldson, a survivor and CEO of Thank God it’s Natural. This hair brand returned as our title sponsor. They gave monetarily, had a table and donated books, and full size product for every guests. One of my focuses is sponsor outreach and I’m super thankful that they saw the potential in Painted Pink when I first emailed in 2016. 
We ended the event by presenting survivors with awards for outstanding strides through survivorship and for being Painted Pink ambassadors. Also we gifted my sissy, the founder, with a token of appreciation for her passion in leading the movement.DIYS AND DECOR
In order to bring the theme to life we wanted different touch points. When guests entered, they saw signage with inspirational saying embodying #InHerWork. For the Pink Ribbon tickets custom cups, I had similar personalized cups for my sister’s bridal shower and loved this personalized addition. 
My sister made this #InHerwork board of affirmations. Each envelope held an affirmation for a guest. She designed the board and ordered it from Office Depot along with the cards then pushpinned the cards and envelopes.
For this mirror that my sister had been using for events, I used a paint pen, glitter stickers and jewels to write “I am Painted Pink”.
The stage decor was so chic. Most of the items were graciously donated. I added the acrylic, Painted Pink sign from Etsy. I first discovered this for Momma Ro’s 60th. The Etsy shop is in Bulgaria and they low prices (the sign is $12.90) and quick shipping. 
Each place setting had these glitter painted pink signs. They’re so fun and a cheaper alternative to acrylic ones.
For the dessert table, I ordered these cupcake toppers from Etsy.
To gift the speakers, I created custom sticker candles. This is a personalized and inexpensive gift idea. I first did this for my sissy’s shower as well. I bought candles from HomeGoods and designed the stickers on Canva and printed through Zazzle.
PAINTED PINK BOX
The Painted Pink gift box for attendees is my baby. I reach out to clean beauty brands for product donations so guests can take home a starter kit to living more #PurposelyPink. I enjoyed all of the exciting brands that donated product this year. We even had products for males and there’s extra boxes available for purchase.
Our Painted Pink survivors who modeled for our new site posed next to the banner. This picture warms my heart. Connecting with survivors who are my same age and witnessing their survivorship is one of the many blessings of being a board member.
So excited that we now have a Painted Pink Etsy shop. These “& Me” tees with names of famous black survivors are beloved.
MY OUTFIT
For year 6, the board wanted to show up in a united way. My sister asked the five of us to wear a suit and I have to say that this was the easiest brunch outfit selection process for me. This was my first suit and I loved the way it came out! I bought it during the Labor Day sales. British brand Oh Polly is becoming a favorite of mine. I got my birthday dress from the site and loved the cut of this suit. 
Since the cropped suit jacket is open, I knew I wanted a fun top. I decided on an ankara one from Grassfields, which is the same top, but different print that I wore in THIS post. I got in their summer sale so the size was quite large, but Momma Ro took it in for me. I feel inclined to only buy Ankara on sale because I’m able to get momma to make it for me or to buy it for the low in Ghana.
About the hair clips: I’ve been fawning over the blingy hair clip trend. These “Painted Pink” clips came from Etsy. Since I was buying 10x I was able to get a discount from the UK seller.
I topped it off with pink and white mules by Malone Soulier that got at Farfetch. The international site is amazing. These source products from Europe so they always have the latest and they have promotions, like when I got these. Stay tuned to Thanksgiving week, I know they’ll have an additional percentage off on site. ( I need to share more of my discount shopping chronicles). This brand has been on my wishlist and they’re so comfortable and chic. I liked the rope style that I hadn’t seen before. This is also my first pair of white heels.
SHOPPING LINKS:
Ankara Corset (not currently on sale)
Custom Hair Clips
sliceofsashapie.com 