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VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center awarded a 2023 seed grant to the Greater Norfolk Medical Society of South Hampton Roads (GNMS of SHR). Founded in the early 1900s as the Norfolk Medical Society, the organization allowed African American physicians to provide medical and social leadership to the community they served. In recent years, it changed its name and opened membership to all physicians who treat African American patients.

The GNMS of SHR used $5,000 provided by Massey’s Community Grant Initiative to increase prostate cancer awareness. The program incorporated a screening of the film “The Black Walnut” which explores the African American prostate disparity.

Massey spoke with Terrance Afer-Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the TerraVizion Entertainment Network, who produced the award-winning docudrama.

How did the GNMS of SHR use the Massey seed grant in efforts to improve cancer outcomes across Virginia?

The GNMS of SHR used the Massey seed grant to present an event called “Illuminating the Invisible Man.” It featured an edited, revised version of “The Black Walnut,” which explores the African American prostate cancer disparity. The film was updated to include a dedication to three of the men in the film who have passed since the October 2022 filming, as well as testimonials from their surviving family members. Presented at the historic Commodore Theater in Portsmouth, Virginia, this special screening also included brief presentations by retired medical oncologist Lloyd A. Shabazz, M.D.; urologist Michael Williams, M.D.; and Mekbib Gemeda, Ph.D., vice president of Diversity and Inclusion at the Eastern Virginia Medical School. I also spoke on the panel. Former WAVY-TV 10 news anchor Don Roberts moderated the discussions.

What has the GNMS of SHR learned from this partnership with Massey throughout 2023?

Through this partnership, the GNMS of SHR was reminded of Massey's stellar, prolific commitment to eliminating cancer disparities via effective community engagement activities and its concern in fostering even greater community partnerships. Additional partnerships recruited in staging the Illuminating the Invisible Man event included the Portsmouth Health Department, Norfolk State University Center for Health Disparities, the New Journal and Guide newspaper, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Urology of Virginia.

Massey uses a “community-to-bench” model to ensure more consistent integration of community input into Massey’s cancer research, education, care and policy initiatives. How does Greater Norfolk Medical Society of South Hampton Roads intend to continue guiding Massey's work in the area of prostate cancer in the Black community?

Guided by Massey's shared vision to increase awareness of the African American prostate cancer disparity, the GNMS of SHR will continue this critically important work by alerting at-risk patients and its own physician members about the incidence of the disparity, the importance of early detection, treatment modalities, the importance of African American participation in clinical trials and other areas.

Why should eligible community organizations pursue this funding from Massey?

Through Massey's most noteworthy seed grant opportunities, eligible community organizations should appreciate that they are presented with a viable, high-utility platform to target specific populations with a verdant research, education, care and policy initiatives platform to generally improve their health status. Massey seed grants can provide potent tools for improving community health.

About the Community Grant Initiative

Seed grants make up the first level of funding provided by Massey’s Community Grant Initiative. Launched in Dec. 2021, the initiative helps community partners expand programs focused on the promotion of health, health equity and person-centered care across the cancer continuum from prevention through survivorship, while also reducing suffering from cancer. In line with Massey’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, the initiative awarded seven $5,000 seed grants in 2022 and six in 2023. In addition to the GNMS of SHR, these five organizations received 2023 seed grants:

• Baptist General Convention of Virginia (Richmond)
• Firefighter Cancer Support Network-Virginia (Richmond)
• Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (Midlothian)
• Us Giving Richmond Connections, Inc. (Richmond)
• Virginia Community Health Worker Association (Richmond)

Massey will score the applications for 2024 seed grants on merit and expects to announce up to five recipients on Feb. 13, 2024.

Interview and article by: Amy Lacey

This article is part of a series highlighting each of the six 2023 seed grant recipients.