From Brunch to Breakthroughs: Tackling Health Inequity One Sip at a Time

WASHINGTON, DC – December 04, 2025 – In an innovative move to dismantle long-standing health disparities, the Tigerlily Foundation has announced the "Bliss Collective: Brunch & Sip," a national series of lifestyle events created in partnership with pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb. While appearing as a chic social gathering, the initiative is a strategically designed platform to empower women of color, foster community, and directly address the critical lack of diversity in clinical trials—a systemic issue that has life-or-death consequences.

The series kicks off in New York City on December 6, with subsequent events planned for Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami. By embedding vital conversations about health equity, advocacy, and medical research into a culturally resonant and celebratory space, the partnership is pioneering a new infrastructure for inclusion, aiming to reach communities that traditional healthcare systems have consistently failed.

The Data Behind the Disparity

The need for such an initiative is rooted in stark, undeniable data. For decades, clinical trials—the bedrock of medical advancement—have failed to reflect the diversity of the populations they are meant to serve. This is particularly true in oncology. According to recent analyses, Black individuals, who constitute over 14% of the U.S. population, have made up as little as 5% to 8% of participants in recent drug trials. For breast cancer, the disparity is even more alarming.

Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women and face higher rates of aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer. Yet, they remain profoundly underrepresented in the very trials testing potential life-saving treatments. One review of trials for oral chemotherapy found that Black participants accounted for a mere 2.1% of the total.

The barriers to participation are complex and deeply entrenched. They range from a pervasive and historically justified medical mistrust, stemming from ethical breaches like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, to significant socioeconomic hurdles. Many potential participants face financial burdens related to transportation, childcare, and time off work. Furthermore, a persistent digital divide can limit access to information about trial opportunities, while implicit biases among healthcare providers can result in fewer referrals for minority patients.

"The system wasn't built with us in mind, so the outcomes reflect that exclusion," noted one public health expert specializing in health equity. "Recruitment flyers in a hospital lobby and complex websites are not effective outreach for everyone. To change the outcomes, you must fundamentally change the engagement strategy."

This systemic failure has prompted regulatory action. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued increasingly firm guidance, urging trial sponsors to create and implement robust Diversity Action Plans. The goal is to ensure that trial data is generalizable and that new medicines are proven safe and effective for everyone, not just a homogenous subset of the population.

A New Infrastructure for Inclusion

The "Bliss Collective" represents a direct response to this challenge, moving the conversation from sterile clinical environments to vibrant, trusted community settings. The model is built on the understanding that engagement cannot be transactional; it must be relational. By hosting a brunch—a familiar and positive social ritual—Tigerlily is creating a safe space where women can connect, share stories, and receive information without the intimidation factor of a formal medical consultation.

This community-centric approach is validated by extensive public health research, which shows that culturally tailored interventions delivered in familiar settings are highly effective at building trust and increasing health literacy. The brunch series is more than just an event; it's an infrastructure for outreach designed for a specific demographic. With Actress and Body Positive Advocate RaVal Davis as the Mistress of Ceremonies, the events are curated to be celebratory and empowering, focusing on holistic wellness, mental health, and self-care alongside the critical discussions about breast health and clinical research.

"We're thrilled to launch The Bliss Collective: Brunch & Sip in New York City—an experience created to honor women's resilience, ignite joyful connection, and center well-being," said Maimah Karmo, CEO and President of the Tigerlily Foundation, in the official announcement. "By coming together in culturally meaningful ways, we are advancing representation in clinical trials, strengthening health literacy, and ensuring that every woman feels seen, supported, and inspired to live her most blissful, powerful life."

This strategy effectively demystifies the concept of clinical trials, reframing participation not as being a "guinea pig" but as an act of empowerment and a contribution to the health of one's community. It's a shift from passive patienthood to active advocacy, a core tenet of Tigerlily's mission.

The Symbiosis of Advocacy and Industry

The partnership between the Tigerlily Foundation and Bristol Myers Squibb is a powerful example of how non-profit advocacy and corporate resources can align to drive meaningful change. Tigerlily brings to the table its deep-rooted community trust, national reach, and a proven track record of empowering young women and women of color through programs like its ANGEL Advocacy network. The foundation possesses the cultural competency and credibility that a large corporation often struggles to build on its own.

For Bristol Myers Squibb, the collaboration is more than philanthropy. It is a strategic imperative. The scientific need for diverse trial data is paramount for developing globally effective and marketable therapies. As regulatory bodies like the FDA intensify their focus on trial diversity, proactive engagement becomes a matter of both ethical responsibility and business necessity. Partnering with an established organization like Tigerlily allows the pharmaceutical giant to support a scalable, effective model for reaching underrepresented patient populations.

This public-private partnership serves as a potential blueprint for addressing other complex social determinants of health. It demonstrates how corporate entities can move beyond writing checks and become active participants in building the community-level infrastructure needed for equitable outcomes. By investing in a program that fosters trust and provides education in a culturally sensitive manner, Bristol Myers Squibb is helping to dismantle the very barriers that have historically limited access to their own innovations. The collaboration aims to create a sustainable pipeline of informed and engaged potential trial participants, ultimately strengthening the integrity and applicability of future medical research.

The "Bliss Collective" is therefore more than a series of brunches. It is a calculated, human-centered intervention designed to re-engineer the system of health engagement from the ground up, ensuring that the path to medical breakthroughs is one that includes everyone.