Meet our panelist for the A. Rose Pink Table Talk: An Empowerment Chat for the Journey Breast Cancer Awareness Event in Chicago, IL on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
The full biographies of all panelist speakers are shared below.
Christina Carter-Williams
Chicago Content Creator
Founder of Carole's Faith Foundation
Christa Carter-Williams is a creative entrepreneur, devoted wife, and mother of four, balancing her family life with her professional pursuits. With a Fine Arts, Mathematics and Graphic Design background she has built two successful businesses: Pink Balloon Parties and Christa and the City Social Media Agency, working with notable brands like Party City and Broadway Chicago.
Christa is also the founder of Carole’s Faith Foundation, named in honor of her late mother. The nonprofit provides crucial support to breast cancer patients and survivors, offering assistance with medical bills, transportation, and other daily needs. Christa’s advocacy is deeply personal, as she shared her journey in an anthology discussing her mother’s battle with breast cancer. Through her foundation, she honors her mother’s legacy while making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Myrtis Brown
Survivor
Member of Sisters Network Inc., Chicago Chapter
“I lost my breast, but I found my faith.”
I was born in Mississippi and grew up on the south side of Chicago. Favorite memories from childhood: family gathering with cousins, aromas of soul food waffling throughout the house; snowball fights on the way home from school, Sunday School and Bible stories.
I attended Hyde Park high school. After graduation I went to Northern Illinois University where I earned my B.A. in History. I received a M.A. degree in Multicultural Education from Columbia College in Chicago.
After college I began living my dream of teaching children about their history. It was an honor and privilege of working with children of Chicago for thirty -seven years. I enjoyed an extensive and successful career with the Chicago Public schools in various capacities: history teacher, curriculum coordinator, teacher mentor/ and teacher recertification coordinator, staff development coordinator, instructional coach. Following my retirement from the Chicago Public School I went to work at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). I had the pleasure of working with undergraduate student as their Field Supervisor during their internship for student teaching. I ended my professional teaching career of 53 years in 2018.
“You have breast cancer”. Every 14 seconds somewhere in the world, a woman hears those word. I heard them in October 2002. It has been quiet the journey. Cancer is just as much physical as it is emotional and for me spiritual. I am a different person today because of cancer. A good different. I wouldn’t recommend breast cancer, but it gave me a new perspective on life; there are lessons to be learned: a deep appreciation for life, the compassion of others, empathy for others, and the deep bond that suffering brings to relationships. My faith became stronger and more steadfast. I did not know what the road would be like, ahead of me; but I knew God would meet me there.
In the season of retirement, I love spending time with my grandchildren, visiting apple orchards, helping with homework, cheering on my grandson at his basketball game. At my church, I serve as a Lay Assistant and Deacon. I am active in the community as a member of the South Holland Education Commission and as a Legislative Advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois.
My greatest passionate is working with the Sisters Network Chicago. I had been a member for the past 19 years. I am the Chairperson for the Gift for Life Block Walk. I serve also as the Outreach Coordinator.
When relaxing I love to sit in the backyard, read a good book and watch the fish in the pond.
Shaina Rozell, MD, MPH
Hematology/Oncology
Shaina Annette Rozell MD, MPH is a physician-leader and a source of community pride for her family and peers in Chicago, Harvey, and Riverdale, Illinois. From a young age and thanks to the influence of her grandmother, Shaina knew that in medicine she would find a special opportunity to combine her abilities in science with her passion to serve others.
As an undergraduate at Stanford University, Shaina received degrees in both Biomedical Engineering and Spanish and was honored with numerous awards for community service and academic excellence. After completing both her medical degree and public health training at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, she went on to continue her residency training in Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She then completed her fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology at Northwestern and is currently employed with Affiliated Oncologist, LLC. She also is a founding board member of the Katherine E. Johnson STEM School for girls.
Over the course of her medical training, she has investigated multiple disease processes with a specific focus on benign hematology, gastrointestinal, lung, and breast malignancies. More recently, she has completed training in cancer genomics at the City of Hope in California and has started a high-risk cancer genetics clinic at Advocate Christ Hospital. Apart from her work in medicine, Shaina is active throughout the Chicago community. She is a proud member of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rozell, please call 1.800.3.ADVOCATE (1.800.323.8622).
Dr. Rozell’s offices are located at:
Affiliated Oncologists, LLC
10604 Southwest Hwy, Ste 200
Chicago Ridge, Illinois 60415
Phone: 708.424.9710
Affiliated Oncologists, LLC
17850 South Kedzie Avenue, #1500
Hazel Crest, IL 60429
Phone: 708.400.7932
Rhonda Scullark
Breast Cancer Survivor
Senior Deputy Director, CASA of Cook County
Founder of Dope Divas on Deck
Rhonda D. Scullark, a proud native of Chicago's south side and graduate of THEE Kenwood Academy, holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Saint Xavier University. With over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator, she has dedicated her career to promoting equity and creating opportunities for the children and families she served.
As a member of the United States Institute of Peace teacher cohort, Rhonda had the privilege of speaking on Capital Hill regarding gun violence in Chicago. In her current role as Senior Deputy Director for CASA of Cook County, a nonprofit organization supporting foster care youth, she continues her commitment to servant leadership and child advocacy.
In May 2010, Rhonda discovered a lump on her breast and was later diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Following chemo and multiple surgeries, she decided to focus on living with intention and purpose. Her love for impacting the lives of young adults and event planning resulted in the formation of the girls’ mentoring group Girl Talk; the creation of several annual events including Etiquette for Success Day for 8th graders, and Decision Day for young ladies entering college. Additionally, she is dedicated to using social media to raise awareness about the importance of early breast cancer detection through self-exams and mammograms. A mother of three daughters, she resides in Chicago's south suburbs, where she is active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated,
manages an online community she founded in 2023: Dope Divas On Deck, and loves to discuss novels with her Lit Ladies book club. Fun fact: Rhonda tried karaoke as a bucket list item after cancer, and since then hasn’t met a microphone she didn’t like!
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