The Real Men Wear Pink charity fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure at Justin’s in Atlanta Thursday, Oct. 27 was an event for the ages. Many of Atlanta’s most prominent and most promising turned out to prove that there is nothing unmanly about embracing “pink,” particularly when it represents support for breast cancer awareness. Event promoters encouraged Atlantans to join them and music idol, Musiq Soulchild — who is an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Circle of Promise Initiative — at über-hip restaurant and nightclub owned by famed rapper and producer P. Diddy, and man-up against breast cancer.
Although breast cancer awareness month is coming to a close at the end of October, the startling statistics are never-ending. One in eight women in America will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the course of their lifetime. Over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in America, and more than 40,000 women will die as a result of breast cancer this year.
Bottomline, whether it’s a walk, a run or a party ‘Real African American Men are turning out in greater numbers than ever to support this worth cause. –roz edward
Musiq Soulchild, singer: The thing about this whole I attach myself to pretty much anything, but this is the first time I have been so closely and immediately and directly attached to something where, I am speaking on behalf of it in such a direct way. I have always been an advocate about many things —education, poverty, women dealing with domestic abuse, and people dealing with drug abuse. There are so many things I am associated with, but this is the first time I have been on the forefront of an issue.
Eboni Elektra, mistress of ceremonies : My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. When she came home from the hospital and told me she’d been diagnosed I asked her, ‘Did you tell anybody else?” She said “no.” I said “Don’t, because we are not going to speak that into existence. This is between you and I.” When they diagnosed her she was in stage two. She beat it and this is her second year cancer free. It runs in my family and anything that raises money for this cause, I am in total support of. … This doesn’t just affect women, it effects men as well … any man that has a mother, a sister, a daughter is affected by breast cancer. It’s not just females that go though this, men do to, that’s why we call it Real Men Wear Pink. They are one of the most important support systems for women who are affected.”
Brian Michael Cox, producer:
This is an important cause personally for me. I have had family members attacked by this disease. It’s something that I feel strongly about and it’s one of the first causes I feel a conviction for. I have donated over the years to the breast cancer awareness and cure cause, but this year I wanted to get more involved. I love the concept of Real Men Wear Pink and spreading awareness among both men and women. I want people to understand that this particular disease affects us all. … Men can get breast cancer too, and If you are not aware, it’s even more shocking. The point is to make it a priority get checked out regularly and make sure everything is working. I just want to bring people to the light about these issues so they can live their full lives in a healthy way.
Nashawn Kerris, actor: I have family members who have been effected by the disease, so I just want to be here in support of them. I want people to realize that black women are effected by this disease more than white people so we need to get checked, go get 
mammograms, stay on top of it You don’t have to wait to start getting mammograms do it before time and and save your life.
