Uplifting Women with Cancer: Harris Family Launches ‘Black Magical Women’ Honoring Mother’s Legacy

How the harris family Transformed Grief Into a Movement

The loss of our mother, Mattie Harris, to cancer was a devastating blow to our family. But in our grief, my sisters— Tiffany, Chataqua, and I, Adrian Harris—found purpose. We channeled our pain into power by founding Black Magical Women (BMW), a movement dedicated to honoring our mother’s life, raising awareness about cancer’s mental and physical toll, and empowering Black women to reclaim their health through holistic healing, community, and the transformative power of resilience.

The Mind-Body Connection: How Emotional Healing Can Impact Cancer
In her work, Dr. Hayes highlights a profound truth: "What happens in the mind manifests in the body." While cancer is a complex disease with many contributing factors, unresolved emotional trauma—such as long-held grudges, resentment, and unprocessed stress —can create physiological disruptions. Chronic stress weakens the immune system, disrupts cellular repair, and creates inflammation, which some research suggests may contribute to cancer progression.

This doesn’t mean cancer is "caused" by emotions alone, but rather that mental and emotional wellness play a critical role in prevention and healing. At BMW, we emphasize:
- The Power of release – Letting go of emotional burdens through therapy, journaling, and forgiveness.
- Affirmations & meditation – Rewiring thought patterns to cultivate peace and resilience.
- Holistic health – Incorporating herbs, nutrition, and mindfulness as preventive and complementary measures.

"The Magic of Resilience: Why Black Women Are "Magical"
Magic is the unshakable strength that allows Black women to rise, even in the face of unimaginable pain. It’s the alchemy of turning grief into purpose, struggle into power, and isolation into sisterhood. Our mothers, grandmothers, and ancestors have always carried this magic—the ability to heal, to nurture, and to survive against all odds.

For women battling cancer, magic looks like:
- Choosing self-love in a world that often neglects Black women’s wellness.
- Finding light in darkness through faith, sisterhood, and spiritual grounding.
- Transforming pain into legacy, just as we are doing in Mattie Harris’ name.

BMW’s Initiatives: Healing, Advocacy, and Celebration
Our mission is to create a safe, empowering space where Black women affected by cancer can find resources, sisterhood, and recognition. Key initiatives include:

1. Annual BMW Awards Show  – Celebrating survivors, warriors, and ancestors who’ve faced cancer with courage. Every woman’s battle—whether she is in remission, still fighting, or has transitioned—deserves to be honored.
2. Holistic Health Workshops – Teaching herbal remedies, stress management, and nutrition to help prevent and manage cancer.
3. Mental Wellness Programs – Partnering with therapists and healers to address trauma, grief, and emotional resilience.
4. Community Care Funds – Providing financial assistance for treatment, holistic therapies, and wellness retreats.
5. Storytelling & Advocacy – Amplifying the voices of Black women in cancer research, policy change, and holistic health.

A Legacy of Love: Mattie Harris Lives On
Mattie Harris was more than a cancer statistic—she was a force of love, wisdom, and strength. Through BMW, we ensure her spirit fuels a movement that saves lives, shifts narratives, and reminds every Black woman of her magic.

Cancer may have taken our mother, but it will never take her legacy. Together, we are rewriting the story—from pain to power, from loss to liberation.

Join us. Heal with us. And remember: You are magical.

—Adrian, Chataqua, and Tiffany Harris
Founders, Black Magical Women

In loving Memory - Mattie Blackshear Harris