Prostate Cancer Community Rally News & Updates

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) hosted a successful Prostate Cancer Community Rally educational program and free screening event at Little Rock AME Zion Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The radio and social media campaign reached nearly 1 million people! This month-long Community Rally spread the word about the prostate cancer crisis affecting Black men through radio, social media, and a live event.

Over 200 people attended PHEN's educational program in person and online. Free PSA blood test screening was the first step for men to educate themselves about the importance of early detection. With help from the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC), PHEN screened 48 men!

Watch the Rally replay video below!

The Charlotte Prostate Cancer Community Rally program and grassroots efforts also led to PHEN signing a historic health agreement between the Men of the A.M.E. Zion and the Health Ministry of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop of the Piedmont Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church, Bishop Darryl B. Starnes Sr., and in the presence of Bishop Dwayne A. Walker (Alabama-Florida District) and Retired Bishop Michael A. Frencher Sr., a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Presiding Elder Scot Moore, Director of Men of Zion of the A.M.E. Zion Church; Dr. Yabo Beysolow, Director of the Health Ministry of the A.M.E. Zion Church; and Reverend Adrian Backus, Director of Church Partnerships and Outreach, PHEN.

"I'm standing here because we are making this a priority for the men of A.M.E. Zion Church," said Presiding Elder Moore. This agreement will provide them access to PHEN's free online programming, informational brochures, and resources on its Church Partnership portal.

The educational portion of the Rally was moderated by Dr. Keith Crawford, PHEN's Director of Clinical trials. He led panels on prostate cancer early detection screening, treatment options, and understanding the importance of clinical trial participation. There were panelists from leading health organizations, such as Atrium Health and Urology Partners of the Carolinas, survivors, and members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and 100 Black Men of Charlotte. To learn more about PHEN's digital portals, please visit PHENPSA.com, PHENPath.com, and PHENTrials.com.

The PHEN Charlotte Prostate Cancer Community Rally social media campaign reached 400,000 people, with overall page engagement reaching over 100,000.

"I am a Black man and a survivor! Early detection saved me. Thanks, Pastor Jones, for sounding the alarm," commented a man on PHEN's Facebook page.

"I am a survivor. Thanks for your message. I try to encourage men in my area to get checked out and be aware of what is going on in their bodies. This is one cancer that you don't have to die from," wrote another prostate cancer survivor on PHEN's social media post. "Thanks again, and be encouraged."

"Bishop Starnes, I am happy to see Zion addressing some of the most challenging and deadly diseases the African American community faces if not caught early in this forum! Knowledge is power! Thank you for this life-saving message, and keep the health messages coming!" stated an additional individual on PHEN's social media page.

PHEN and its Prostate Cancer Community Rally was featured in the Charlotte Post and QCity Metro publication. In addition, nine leaders in Charlotte partnered with PHEN to record prostate cancer awareness messages that were played throughout January on local Charlotte radio stations V 101.9 (WBAV), 105.3 RnB (WOSF), and Praise 100.9 (WPZS-FM). Notable participants who spoke at the event and/or recorded awareness messages are below.