2026 Quartely Newsletter

In This Issue

Executive Director’s Message One Year Later

A year ago, with my PSA creeping up, it was evident my 11 years of being prostate cancer free was about to come to an end.

CCRTD & Ralph Franklin Scholarship Fund Update

Learn how the Ralph Franklin Research Fund is supporting future scientists of color—and how you can be part of advancing life-saving prostate cancer research.

Join Our Brotherhood: Facebook Community

A growing community where survivors, caregivers, and families share real stories, support one another, and continue the conversation beyond the podcast.

Documentary Update: Moving Into Production

The “If You Are My Brothers” documentary enters production, capturing powerful stories of faith, brotherhood, and survival—with a mission to inspire action.

Podcast Update: Conversations That Save Lives

New episodes every other Wednesday featuring experts, survivors, and real conversations on treatment, trust, and prostate cancer awareness.

Team Spotlight: Dr. Sheila Tenney

Meet a key leader helping drive storytelling, strategy, and community impact through her extensive experience in media, education, and nonprofit leadership.

In the Community: Awareness in Action

Highlights from recent outreach events, including a March Madness prostate cancer awareness initiative where 96% of attendees chose to get tested.

Donor Impact & Challenge Grant Success

Thanks to your support, we met our 2025 year-end fundraising goal—unlocking a challenge grant and doubling the impact of your generosity.

Your Support Makes This Possible

See how your contributions fuel education, storytelling, and early detection—and how new 2026 tax benefits make giving even more impactful.

Support our Prostate Cancer Health Action Initiatives

From The Desk of Reggie Hicks

“One year later, the cancer came back. Here’s what I learned—and why it matters for every man.”

Dear Supporter,

A year ago, I thought I had won.

After 11 years of being prostate cancer-free, my PSA began to rise again. Slowly at first—but enough to tell me something wasn’t right.

Then came the words no survivor ever wants to hear:

“Biochemical recurrence.”

In March 2025, I began 37 rounds of proton therapy at the Emory Proton Therapy Center.

Thirty-seven days.

Thirty-seven drives through Atlanta traffic.

Thirty-seven moments of reflection, fear, faith—and determination.

But what stayed with me most… were the little things.

Each treatment room had a color. The first room for my treatment was purple.

Each room featured music you could choose.

Music + Purple

You guessed it, I chose Prince on day one.

That decision turned into a daily ritual—music that carried me through the hardest moments.

Gospel on Fridays. Strength when I needed it most.

Now, I’m sharing that journey through a playlist—because sometimes healing starts with something as simple as a song. I hope sharing it can provide support and inspiration to others. Enjoy!

Treatment Spotify Playlist

With Gratitude,

Reggie

Reggie Hicks

If You Are My Brothers

TURNING STORY INTO ACTION

Everything we do—every podcast, every event, every film—is designed to move people from:

Awareness → Action

Because awareness alone doesn’t save lives.

Action does.

Take Action—Help Save a Life Today

CCRTD and the Ralph Franklin Scholarship Fund Update and Reception

We are proud to continue building the Ralph Franklin Research Fund at Clark Atlanta University’s Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD).

This initiative is about more than honoring a legacy—it’s about:

Funding future scientists of color
Advancing life-saving research
Closing the gap in health disparities

We’re also planning a special CCRTD reception and tour so you can see this work up close.

Yes, I am Interested in Learning More About the Event

Join the Brotherhood

The conversation doesn’t stop when the episode ends.

Our private Facebook community is a space for:

Survivors
Caregivers
Families
Healthcare professionals

A place for real talk, real support, and real accountability.

Because when men talk… Lives are saved.

Join today—and help another brother take action before it’s too late

A Movement in Motion: Documentary Update

Now in production

We are officially moving into the production phase of the revised If You Are My Brothers documentary.

This is more than a film. It’s a movement built on:

Brotherhood
Faith
Survival
Truth

We are capturing real stories that will challenge men to take control of their health and take action early.

Our goal: Complete the film by September (Prostate Cancer Month)—and reach thousands of families with a life-saving message.

Conversations That Save Lives

We’re expanding our reach.

Starting in May, every new episode will be released:

-Every other Wednesday

-On YouTube

-On all podcast platforms

Some of our topics so far this year include:

Strong For Him: Partners Behind the Prostate Cancer Journey

Clinical trials, medical trust, and prostate cancer—what every man needs to know

How CCRTD Is Advancing Prostate Cancer Research at Clark Atlanta University

One Line, One Fight: Brothers Facing Prostate Cancer Together

Subscribe Today—because one conversation could save a life

In the U.S., African American men have one of the highest prostate cancer incidence rates in the world.

-American Cancer Society

Team Spotlight: Sheila Tenney

Board Member

Dr. Sheila Tenney is a seasoned fundraiser and communications executive with more than 20 years of experience across higher education, media, and nonprofit sectors. Her work spans community engagement, partnerships, branding, and strategic outreach, bringing a powerful storytelling perspective to every initiative.

She serves on several boards, including WCLK 91.9 FM and the Atlanta Airport Chamber, and is an active member of NABJ and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A Coca-Cola DLAA Fellow, she is committed to service and community impact.

A proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Tenney holds a doctorate in education along with graduate and undergraduate degrees in media and communications.

Learn More About Our Team

More than 3.5 million men in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today due to detection and advances in treatment.

- American Cancer Society

In the Community: Awareness in Action

If You Are My Brothers took part in the first March Madness Prostate Cancer awareness event hosted by the City of Stonecrest, GA. Reggie Hicks spoke to men from a Game Day sports set about getting tested, knowing your PSA, and choosing life over libido. The event showcased Emory Health Systems' new Prostate Cancer Mobile unit, offering on-site PSA testing and counseling. It was successful, with 96% of the men in attendance opting for a PSA test. Special thanks to CCRTD for partnering with us on this effort.

Donor News

Challenge grant success

Thanks to everyone who contributed during our year-end fundraising effort. Because of your support, we met our goal and, in turn, received a challenge grant from three of our major donors. So, in essence, you doubled your support to the If You Are My Brothers prostate cancer health action project.

And we have a winner!

Congratulations to Tonya L of Houston, TX for winning the orginal painting by Cecil Bernard. We thank Tonya for her contribution and for everyone who made a donation during our year end fundraising effort

Learn more about Cecil Bernard’s extraordinary work at cecilbernardgallery.com.

Your Support Makes This Possible

Every conversation we spark, every story we tell, and every life we touch through If You Are My Brothers happens because of you.

And there’s even more good news in 2026.

Under new IRS rules, donors who take the standard deduction can once again receive a tax benefit for charitable giving—up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly—even without itemizing.

That means your generosity not only makes an impact in the community, it may also benefit you at tax time.

Your Impact at Every Level:

$25 provides educational materials at community health events
$50 supports podcast production featuring survivors and clinicians
$100 helps film and edit our documentary, reaching thousands more families

NOW IS THE MOMENT

If this story moved you…

If this mission matters to you…

If you believe lives can be saved…

Make your gift today

One-time donation: $50
Monthly support: $5

Every dollar moves someone from awareness to action. And that can save a life.

Here is My Donation

About Straight Street Media

Straight Street Media is a nonprofit media company that produces thought-provoking projects to inspire positive, meaningful change. We are proud to be the creators of the If You Are My Brothers prostate cancer project. Join us in our mission to foster understanding — we are truly

"Opening Eyes to a New Vision."