Turning Art and Activism into Empowered Awareness
When it comes to breast cancer awareness, Shaney jo Darden, co-founder of Keep A Breast, is rewriting the playbook. For her, it’s not about fear or ribbons — it’s about empowerment, creativity, and action.
We caught up with her at Keep A Breast’s 25th anniversary event — a celebration of art, community, and impact — to talk about how it all began and the purpose driving it forward.
A Mission with Meaning
“Keep A Breast is a global nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention and action,” says Darden. The organization uses art, technology, and culturally relevant messaging to reach young people — especially those often left out of traditional health conversations.
“We don’t just raise awareness,” she says. “We inspire real action.”
Born from Loss and Creativity
In the late ’90s, while working in the worlds of fashion, art, and music, Shaney jo lost a close friend to breast cancer. She realized the way society talked about the disease didn’t connect with young people. “There was no accessible, relatable education,” she recalls. “Keep A Breast was born out of a desire to change that — to fuse art, activism, and health education in a way that speaks authentically to youth culture.”
From Art Shows to Global Impact
What began as art exhibits featuring breast cast sculptures has evolved into a tech-forward global movement. Today, Keep A Breast reaches millions through its Keep A Breast app, i love boobies! booth and digital and print education materials.
“The spirit is the same,” says Darden, “but the tools have evolved with our audience.”
Empowering a New Generation
The Keep A Breast app was created to help young people learn how to perform self-checks — bridging a crucial gap in early detection. “Early detection starts with self-awareness,” says Darden. “But most people weren’t being taught how.” The app has since empowered hundreds of thousands to take control of their health.
Changing the Conversation
Darden believes the next big shift must be from fear to empowerment. “Breast cancer isn’t just an October topic — it’s a year-round health issue,” she says. “We need inclusive, accessible education that meets people where they are.”
To her, empowerment means giving people knowledge, agency, and community — tools to take charge of their health and support one another.
A Legacy of Change
After 25 years, what makes Darden proudest isn’t just the organization’s reach — it’s the lives changed along the way. “When someone tells us Keep A Breast changed their life, or even saved it — that’s everything,” she says.
Her advice to anyone wanting to make a difference: “Start with what you care about. You don’t need all the answers — just the courage to act. Small actions create ripples. Lead with purpose.”
Keep A Breast continues to transform awareness into empowerment—proving that creativity, compassion, and courage can change the conversation around breast health forever.
