Black in Cancer Conference draws Black cancer research professionals to first U.S. event

The inaugural U.S. Black in Cancer Conference brought more than 300 oncologists, scientists, students, trainees, advocates, and supporters to the Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, Md., in June.  

Expert speakers shared the latest advances in cancer drug discovery and delivery as well as cancer biology. They discussed the future of cancer care for the Black diaspora and presented strategies to boost enrollment of diverse populations into clinical trials. The event also fostered a genuine sense of community among attendees during the meeting’s two days.  

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The event was co-hosted by the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research and the nonprofit organization Black in Cancer.  

Black in Cancer formed in 2020 to create a network of Black people in the cancer field, and to support a robust pipeline of future Black researchers and celebrate Black researchers’ critical contributions to cancer science and medicine. It began as an online movement, but the conference, which was the successor to a 2022 event held in the United Kingdom, gave participants the opportunity to connect in person and share their research and passion for cancer science. 

Enthusiasm for the event has continued for weeks afterward, as attendees shared their experiences via social media, particularly on LinkedIn. 

One social media post from Peter Blain, oncology nurse focused on health equity, shared this comment: “At this conference I felt heard, seen, and was empowered to spread the good news about cancer research that is being led by people WHO LOOK LIKE ME!”

Another post, from Abigail Fielder, cancer biology Ph.D. candidate, said: “It was an invaluable opportunity to see familiar faces and make new connections with fellow scientists, clinicians, and advocates dedicated to advancing cancer research and healthcare equity.”  

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'Lifting as We Climb' 

The theme of the conference was “Lifting as We Climb,” a concept that resonated across every session as researchers shared their professional journeys, highlighting the pivotal roles that mentors, teachers, and peers played along the way. 

“My mentors saw my potential and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” said Sigourney Bonner, CEO of Black in Cancer, onstage as she looked out across the crowded auditorium. “Now, I’m in a room where I see anything is possible.” 

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The event kicked off with a touching display of lifting and mentorship, as a retired teacher surprised her former student, introducing the keynote speaker John Carpten, M.D. 

Betty Coleman was Carpten’s fourth grade teacher in his hometown of Leland, Miss. He has said she encouraged him to pursue his interest in science. As a surprise to Carpten, who serves as chief scientific officer for the City of Hope cancer center, Coleman traveled from Mississippi to Bethesda to join him on stage and present him with a gift and greeting from Leland. 

It was a declaration stating the city designated September 14, 2024 “Dr. John Carpten Day,” in recognition of “his tireless research efforts to support the African American population.” 

A emotional Carpten embraced Coleman and accepted the declaration.  

“People see the product, but they don’t understand the journey,” he said. 

The conference sought to elevate people like Coleman, who made the journey possible for today’s Black cancer leaders, and to showcase the leaders’ commitment to support the next generation. Many talks and poster presentations focused on resources, challenges, and potential opportunities for early-career researchers, including a panel on "Mentorship in Motion,” featuring three generations of mentors. 

Fostering community 

Speakers shared how meaningful it was for them to be part of a welcoming scientific community and to pursue discoveries that advance clinical care to support underrepresented communities.   

Yet efforts to engage this community must reach the people where they are with intent and compassion.  

Robert Winn, M.D., director of Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, addressed this at the end of his scientific seminar. He emphasized this is not an issue of giving a voice to the voiceless, as the Black community has a voice. He said it is an issue of listening. 

“We need to communicate in the language of the people,” Winn said. 

Henry Henderson III, Ph.D., co-founder of Black in Cancer, said education is critical to lift the community.  

“An informed community is an empowered community,” he said.  

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Emmanuel Perrodin-Njoku, a post-baccalaureate researcher at the Center for Deaf Health Equity at Gallaudet University, stressed the need for “cultural humility.” Perrodin-Njoku, who used American Sign Language that was interpreted on stage, joined the panel discussion on outreach and education as a tool to achieve health equity.  

"We should go where the community is, learn from them, and learn with them,” Perrodin-Njoku said. 

Community members came out to support the event. A score of Bowie State University students served as volunteers during the conference, and dedicated sponsors and supporters helped make the meeting a success.  

Advancing the Science 

Multiple scientific presentations highlighted the breadth of cancer research led by Black investigators, spanning from community engagement strategies that increase cancer screening to designer nanocarriers for cancer therapy.  

One often expressed need was to strive for more diverse and inclusive clinical trials to inform the science by reflecting those who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.  

Melissa Davis, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Translational Genomic Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine, stressed how the lack of African genomic data is causing knowledge gaps that drive health inequities. Davis leads a global research team that recently won a Cancer Grand Challenge award to address cancer inequity among people of African descent. In her keynote address, she called for a “collective commitment” to counter health disparity.  

Otis Brawley, M.D., professor of oncology and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, noted that while more health disparities research is needed, this cannot be the only focus for minority scientists. “We need to get minorities into basic science, clinical science—all areas of science,” he said.  

Ethan Dmitrovsky, M.D., director of the Frederick National Laboratory, also spoke to the importance of this, pointing to scholarship showing that “the most cited scientific papers come from the most diverse research teams.”  

In addition to the presentations and scientific seminars, trainees presented a total of 40 scientific posters. Early career scientists also had a chance to summarize their research to the conference participants in just three minutes as part of a friendly competition.  

On the final day of the conference, Dmitrovsky summarized the achievement of this conference with these three words: “science, networking, and community.”