September/October Newsletter

2025 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Edition

In This Issue

• Why This Fight Matters — and Why I’m All In
• What’s Next for If You Are My Brothers
• Voices That Heal: Survivor Stories on Our New Podcast
• Coming in 2026: A Story That Will Save Lives
• Closing the Gaps in Prostate Cancer Care
• Spotlight: Dr. Kennicia Fortson
• Mentoring the Next Generation of Storytellers
• On the Air and In the Community: September Events
• Your Financial Support is Crucial

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month — and our mission has never been more urgent.”

Why This Fight Matters! As we close another September and prostate cancer awareness month with very little fanfare, I am reminded why this fight matters.This newsletter is part of a journey I never expected to take. Years ago, I began documenting the prostate cancer journey of my fraternity brother, Ralph Franklin. In the middle of that work, I was diagnosed myself. What began as his story quickly became ours.

Since then, I’ve devoted myself to raising awareness through the If You Are My Brothers project—telling stories, building community, and helping men understand their health. Along the way, we’ve reached families, inspired conversations, and even helped men discover their own diagnoses.

But last year, my cancer returned. That moment changed everything. I realized I could no longer give this project just my “spare time”—it required all of me.

Here’s why:

• One in five African American men will face prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• Despite being highly treatable, Black men are more likely to die from it than any other group.
• Too often, families are left facing this disease in silence.

This month, I am blessed to be around for the birth of my first grandchild, thanks to this prostate cancer awareness campaign. That’s why this newsletter exists. It’s more than an update—it’s a call to action. Together, through stories, science, and support, we can change the odds for husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and brothers everywhere.

Thank you for standing with us.

With hope,

Reggie

Reggie Hicks

Executive Producer

If You Are My Brothers



Voices That Heal: Survivor Stories on Our New Podcast

Closing the Gap in Prostate Cancer Care

“Partnering with organizations to reach families left behind.”

We continue our community engagement efforts. Our team is updating materials for healthcare organizations and support groups that have been affected by funding cuts or have lost their various community health initiatives entirely. Through our community engagement efforts, we are forming partnerships and developing resources to help close these gaps.

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

We have partnered with the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia to offer semester internships in digital marketing and podcast production. As a journalism fellow at Grady College, our Executive Producer, Reggie Hicks, is committed to mentoring the next generation of content creators and producers in 2025. Congratulations to our recent interns, Dani Garcia-Pozo, a recent Grady College graduate with a degree in Entertainment and Media Studies, and Jordan Seraphin, a rising junior majoring in Marketing.

On the Air and In the Community: September Events

Radio Campaign Supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

In partnership with 91.9FM WCLK, the If You Are My Brothers Prostate Cancer Awareness public service announcement series started this month. These 30-second spots are designed to emphasize the importance of knowing your PSA number or prostate-specific antigen and will air throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

If You Are My Brothers at the National Black Arts Festival

We participated in the National Black Arts Festival’s Thriving Together Wellness event on Saturday, September 27, at the Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park. This free day of art, wellness, and community, focused on racial health equity, wellness at the intersection of art and music.

If You Are My Brothers on the Radio



Thanks to Dawna Baker, General Manager and Morning Host of 90.1 WJOU’s Breakfast Chat, for featuring our awareness efforts on her morning show to kick off Prostate Cancer Month in September. 

Your Financial Support is Crucial

What began as a one-time documentary has grown into a life-saving mission—one that is only possible because of supporters like you.

As Prostate Awareness Month comes to a close, we continue to plan for the months ahead. Our goal is clear: to expand our podcast, complete the 2026 documentary premiere, and provide resources for families facing prostate cancer.

Here’s what your gift makes possible:

• $25 provides educational materials for men at community health events.
• $50 supports podcast production to share the stories of survivors and clinicians.
• $100 helps us film and edit the documentary that will reach thousands more families.

Every dollar moves us closer to a future where no family faces prostate cancer in silence. Join us today with a one-time tax-deductible gift of $50, or a recurring gift of $5 per month. Every gift matters! Your contributions directly advance awareness and save lives.

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