Back in October 2019 is [when] I really got to spend time with the breast cancer community. 

I have a brand called Average Black Girl where we are a marketing resource for small-to-medium sized businesses. The consulting space is what led me to take on a six month contract with the hair company Thank God It’s Natural (TGIN). I spent a lot of time with the owner of the company, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. 

One of the things I noticed was the amount of time cancer patients spend by themselves. As you’re going through treatment day in and day out, there is a lot of waiting: waiting to respond to the treatment, waiting for the doctor’s appointment. Being alone is something that I think has an effect on your psyche. We really don’t touch on that. 

I decided to create an adult coloring book for breast cancer patients. A lot of the time, we think we only have to create something if it’s our own demographic or something that we personally are involved in or affected by. In reality, that’s not the case. You can start there, but if you see a need, if you see a hole, it’s on you to fix it. 

Different women are represented throughout the book. The cover has a woman and her hair is being wrapped. It was important for me that there was no hair on the cover. I want [people] to see themselves as soon as they pick up the book. 

There are women with children, older women, younger women. There are women of African American descent, East Asian descent, Caucasian women. We also have a man because I know breast cancer is not only for women. The goal is for people to see themselves within the book. 

It’s priced at 11 dollars and 11 cents. It’s thought of as love. 11:11 is your lucky number, or angel number. I want people to know that there was thought put into the entire book, even the pricing. For me, everything I do is with intention. 

Since it launched, I have sent copies to North Carolina, to Toronto, to Berkeley. I’ve been asked to do more and definitely will in the later part of the year for other specific cancers. Regardless of where you’re at, where your mind is or what kind kind of support system you have, I’m thinking of you. Hopefully, this can help make the journey just a little lighter.