From Sexualized to Sacred: Educating and Empowering Women at the 3rd Annual Bra Party

Education isn’t limited to classrooms—it’s also about understanding our bodies, our health, and our worth. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Blue Haven Foundation joined Black Women for Wellness (BW4W) and community partners for an afternoon filled with joy, creativity, and healing at BW4W's 3rd Annual Boobs & Bling: Strike A Pose Bra Party, a transformative event dedicated to breast health education, self-love, and sisterhood, held on October 19.

Nearly 100 women gathered in Long Beach at the community space on the premises of Skylinks Golf Course to learn, share, and celebrate resilience while turning awareness into action. Through open conversations, creative expression, and community connection, the event reframed breast health from something stigmatized to something sacred—empowering women to take charge of their wellness with confidence and compassion.

This year’s theme, “Resilience and Self-Love,” reminded us that breast health is not just a medical conversation—it’s a movement of empowerment. For centuries, Black women’s bodies, particularly their breasts, have been sexualized and stigmatized. This event boldly reclaimed that narrative, honoring them as sacred, not sexualized. Together with fighters, survivors, families, and supporters, we created a space that nourished the mind, body, and spirit—where laughter, tears, and truth could coexist.

The afternoon featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Chelsea Carter, marketing strategist, entrepreneur, breast cancer survivor, and Girls’ Director for MADE Hoops. The panel included women leading with purpose:

• Dr. Linda James – Family Practice Physician and advocate with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women

• Tunisia Offray – President of Shepherd’s Door, survivor, and champion for domestic violence prevention

• Carla Farley – Founder & CEO of Carla’s Ribbon of Life, breast cancer warrior, and community leader expanding access to care

Together, these women led powerful conversations about health, advocacy, and the importance of early detection—with uplifting stories that remind us healing is both possible and powerful.

Guests arrived ready to decorate bras with bling, transforming a simple garment into a symbol of empowerment and survival. Additional bras were available by donation for women in need, ensuring that everyone could participate in this uplifting experience.

Models of all sizes and body types strutted the runway—radiating confidence, beauty, and strength. Each model received a complimentary lingerie piece of her choice to wear during the show, reclaiming the spotlight on her own terms.

We were honored to stand alongside community partners including LUVME Hair, Cancer Support Community South Bay, and BW4W, helping shine a light on a critical truth: Black women are diagnosed with breast cancer at the same rate as white women—yet are 40% more likely to die. This disparity isn’t due to a lack of strength, but a lack of access, awareness, and advocacy. Early detection and self-education save lives.

Lessons of the day focused on teaching women about breast health so they can live and lead healthy, productive lives as mothers, caregivers, professionals, leaders, and business owners. Whether it’s breast self-exams, clinical screenings, mammograms, or advanced diagnostics, early detection and timely follow-up save lives. Breast health isn’t only about cancer—it’s about recognizing changes, speaking up about lingering pain, inflammation, or discharge, and demanding answers when something feels off.

Through this partnership, Blue Haven Foundation continues its mission to support programs that uplift women and strengthen communities—because education isn’t just about books; it’s about health, too.

Together, we aimed to rewrite the narrative—from sexualized to sacred—by celebrating the power, resilience, and beauty of Black women everywhere and honoring their strength in the face of breast cancer, domestic violence, and toxic exposures.