Redefining the Crown: The Voices of Black Breast Cancer Survivors

“Redefining the ‘crown’: Approaching chemotherapy‐induced alopecia among Black patients with breast cancer” began as a manuscript by U-M faculty Versha Pleasant M.D., MPH and Ava Purkiss Ph.D. published in the scientific journal Cancer. It later transformed into a photo essay project published in Medicine at Michigan, exploring the journeys of six Black women and their experiences with chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

This exhibition examines the cultural and personal significance of hair within Black communities, particularly through the lens of breast cancer treatment and recovery. The term “crown” is deeply symbolic in Black culture, signifying beauty, strength, and identity. The featured photo essay by photographer Tafari Stevenson-Howard captures the intimate journeys of Ann Chatman, Tanisha Kennedy, Felecia McDaniel, Shantell Elaine McCoy, Tamara Lynn Myles, and Veleria Banks.

Through their narratives and portraits, the exhibit invites audiences to witness their stories with radical empathy. It explores the cultural pride and personal identity intricately tied to their hair, and how these elements are redefined amidst their battles with breast cancer.

Hosted and sponsored by the Institute for Research on Women and Gender and the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, U-M. Curated by Glen Berryman and Grace Mahoney.