Looking back on 2025, the first word that comes to mind is exhausting. For so many of us, it was a year defined by uncertainty, grief, pain, and constant change. It affected people physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually — leaving many of us trying to reclaim stability while navigating mental health struggles that often went unseen.

Across the country, people faced economic pressures, job loss, political tension, climate disasters, affordability concerns, and global crises — all while trying to manage family responsibilities, work, and personal growth.

As someone who graduated from journalism school at the University of Missouri in December of 2024, this year felt especially heavy. Like many of my friends, I’ve struggled to find my footing in a job market that feels unpredictable and discouraging. We’ve applied to hundreds of jobs, only to face rejection, ghosting, or “entry-level” roles that somehow require years of experience.

For me, that meant moving back home — not because I wanted to, but because I needed to save money. The cost of living has been overwhelming for so many of us, and sometimes it makes me feel inadequate, like I’m failing at adulthood by not living independently at 27.

But even in this hard season, there was one constant thing I was grateful for: my community. My friends are walking through the same struggles, and there’s something grounding about realizing I’m not alone in trying to figure life out. That connection makes the world feel less isolating, and it’s a reminder of how deeply we need one another in a world that often feels frightening.

And that’s the thing — even in the hardest moments, people show up. We find resilience in quiet victories and in moving forward together.

Why For the Breast of Us Matters Now More Than Ever

For Women of Color impacted by breast cancer, the weight is even heavier — from healthcare gaps and lack of representation to socioeconomic barriers and limited culturally informed support. That’s why For the Breast of Us is so important. It’s a space where Black and Brown women feel seen and heard, a place where they don’t have to fight to belong. They already know they’re not alone.

As CEO/Co-founder Marissa Thomas explained in her article “Hold Us Up, Hold Us Together,” For the Breast of Us is entering one of the toughest financial seasons ever experienced. For years, the work that’s been done — from storytelling to community programs — was supported by DEI-focused funding. Those funding streams are now being cut nationwide, and it’s hit us. 

Organizations like ours have never had equal access to the large-scale funding that bigger breast cancer nonprofits receive. The same inequities we fight in healthcare show up in philanthropy as well.

That’s why this moment is such a big deal. These cuts threaten the heart of what makes this organization powerful — a place built by us, for us, where our needs and healing are centered. Our community deserves to grow and thrive no matter what the funding landscape looks like.

What we accomplished in 2025:

Even in a challenging year, we built something beautiful:

Stories That Matter

More women shared their journeys — the triumphs, the pain, the healing — reminding us that nobody is ever truly alone.

Community Spaces

From online groups to in-person meetups, we created spaces where women could connect, release, talk, and find comfort in one another.

Partnerships & Advocacy

Through campaigns, collaborations, and advocacy, we pushed for better representation, improved research, and equitable care for Black and Brown women.

Education and Empowerment

Webinars, workshops, and Q&A sessions led by medical experts, survivors, and advocates helped women feel informed, empowered, and supported.

These wins weren’t small — they were powerful reminders of what this community can accomplish together.

Hopes for 2026

I can’t say with certainty what 2026 will bring, but I am hopeful. Hopeful that the world will find a little more stability — in our careers, our mental health, and in the way we treat one another.

I hope for moments of joy, stronger connections, less mindless scrolling, and more intentional rest. I hope we listen to our bodies, care for them, and slow down when we need to. 2026 will be a year of action, community, and care.

And for For the Breast of Us, our hopes remain bold:

• Continue to expand support so Women of Color can find us the moment they need us
• Launching programs that walk with women long after treatment ends
• Advocating for equitable healthcare and inclusive research
• Amplifying the voices that have been ignored for far too long
  

As we move into a new year, I’m deeply grateful for every woman who showed up — for herself and for others. Your courage, strength, and resilience are amazing. You inspire more people than you’ll ever know, and you will continue to be a beacon of light for so many others who feel like they’re alone or scared. For the Breast of Us will continue to show up — with heart, intention, and unwavering love. Here’s to a new year of hope, healing, love, and community for all of us.