Honoring the Past. Committing to the Future.

Each year during Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans. Significant figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, who fought for equal rights for Blacks during the 50s and 60s; Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice appointed to the United States Supreme Court and Mae Jemison, the first female African-American astronaut to travel to space are often remembered.

Among those remarkable individuals (and many more), we are honored to have ties to, and remember, the profound contributions and story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman who was born and spent her early years in Roanoke. She and her famous HELA cells have touched medicine, science and research in countless ways.

This Roanoke Tribune ad that will be published this week reflects our gratitude for Mrs. Lacks’ mark on our past that continues to lead us to tomorrow’s innovations.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks at the Grandin

Another way we're remembering our past and committing to our future is by helping to sponsor events like this special film viewing of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

Tuesday, Feb. 27
6 - 8:30 p.m.
Grandin Theatre

The event is free and the first 75 who register get a free popcorn and soft drink.

Stick around after the film when panelists from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Radford University and Carilion Clinic will speak from their expertise to the impact of Henrietta Lacks' story and answer questions from the audience.

Of course, our commitment is not limited to February. The statue of Mrs. Lacks in the City of Roanoke’s Lacks Plaza and the smaller sculpture in the lobby of CRMH remind us Mrs. Lacks’ story lives on every day through our work. Find out more from our Multi-Cultural ERG.