Breast Cancer in the Black and Brown Community
Why Our Models Choose to Dance the Runway
Experience the power of Runway for Recovery through the voices of our Models—individuals who are breast cancer previvors, survivors, currently in treatment, and those living with metastatic breast cancer, alongside the legacies of loved ones we honor and remember.
Across our Runway Shows in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City, these stories come to life on stage. Each Model walks not only for themselves, but for their families, their communities, and those who can no longer walk beside them.
This is more than an event—it’s a movement rooted in resilience, connection, and purpose. It is a space where strength is celebrated, stories are shared, and a powerful community comes together to remind one another that no one faces breast cancer alone.
Inspired by her own experience, Arlene has become a source of strength for others. She now supports and uplifts newly diagnosed patients, offering empathy, guidance, and a powerful reminder that they are not alone.
Lisa’s Story
Lisa’s breast cancer journey is grounded in something simple, but powerful: resilience.
Diagnosed on October 5, 2025, her experience with cancer has shaped the way she sees herself and the world around her—but it has also strengthened her in ways she carries forward every day.
“It made me resilient,” she shared, “and empowered me to help others on their journey.”
Read MoreSadiqa’s Story
Breast cancer was something Sadiqa thought she understood—first as a child watching her aunt go through it, and later as a physician caring for others. But at 34, just beginning her career and newly married, it became her own reality.
Read MoreInez’s Story
Inez Montalvo was diagnosed with breast cancer on January 17, 2025—a moment that brought fear, uncertainty, and a wave of changes she never anticipated. From the physical toll of treatment to the emotional weight of the diagnosis, her journey has required both resilience and grace. “I was honestly terrified.”
Read MoreAsha’s Story
Asha Miller describes herself as a “breast cancer veteran”—a title that reflects not just what she has endured, but how she has chosen to show up in the world because of it. Long before her diagnosis, Asha was already using her voice—advocating in DEI spaces and sharing stories through her writing and photography. But breast cancer reshaped that advocacy into something even more personal.
Read MoreMariah’s Story
In May 2023, Alison Feller was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Her daughter Annie was just four years old at the time, and the news sent Alison into a spiral of shock and fear. “I remember sobbing in the middle of the night after my diagnosis, terrified that I might die and leave my daughter without her mom.”
Read MoreAvamarie’s Story
When Avamarie Warden received the call confirming her breast cancer diagnosis, she was surprisingly calm. She had already seen the results in her medical portal days earlier, giving her time to brace herself. But there was one moment she will never forget. “The hardest part wasn’t hearing the diagnosis. It was calling my mom.”
Read MoreMarcella’s Story — SoCal
When Marcella Powell was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in March of 2022, it felt like the ground disappeared beneath her feet. An itchy breast and an unusual white discharge prompted her to seek medical advice. Initially dismissed as “normal,” her instincts urged her to get a second opinion — one that ultimately saved her life.
Read MoreLawanda’s Story
Currently in Treatment Model
Read MoreCarleen & Kerese’s Story
Completed Treatment Model
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