Walking the Walk: How Businesses Can Strut for Hoosier Health
In Central Indiana, breast cancer is more than a health statistic—it’s a community challenge. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, often because of delayed diagnoses and barriers to care. These inequities don’t just impact families—they ripple across workplaces, neighborhoods, and the broader economy.
That’s why Real 98.3’s Sista Strut has become such a vital tradition. Now in its fourth year, this 3K walk at Victory Field is far more than a community fundraiser. It’s a visible, collective step toward health equity—and one that Indianapolis businesses are uniquely positioned to amplify.
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, thousands will gather downtown to walk in remembrance, celebration, and solidarity. From church groups to sororities, families to co-workers, teams will strut together to honor survivors, uplift those still in the fight, and remember those we’ve lost.
For businesses, this is an opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the community you serve. By forming corporate teams, sponsoring survivor experiences, or simply showing up, Business Equity for Indy members can make a direct investment in the well-being of Central Indiana’s workforce and families.
“This event is about more than awareness. It’s about visibility, community, and making sure our people have the resources they need,” said Erica “Ms. Eklass,” host on Real 98.3. “Every step we take together is a step toward saving lives.”
The lead-up to Sista Strut begins on September 18 at the Madame Walker Legacy Center with the premiere of Just Wait III: The Art of Living After the Scars Have Healed. The film, directed by Ira Mallory and Rhonda Greene, amplifies the voices of Black women whose courage propels communities forward—including the late Jessica Johnson, whose story inspired the series.
After the film, attendees will join a community dialogue, “Survivor Stories: Beyond Scars & Statistics.” It’s a reminder that behind every data point is a person, a family, a life. For businesses, moments like this offer a chance to engage authentically, not just through sponsorship dollars but by encouraging employees and leaders to listen, learn, and connect.
Healthy communities fuel thriving economies. When breast cancer disproportionately affects women of color, it creates both human and economic costs—from missed workdays and lost income to reduced talent retention. Companies that step up to support Sista Strut aren’t only making a charitable contribution—they’re investing in a stronger, more equitable workforce.
Supporting Sista Strut also aligns directly with BEI’s mission: building a more inclusive Central Indiana economy by addressing systemic inequities. Just as businesses champion supplier diversity and workforce development, they can also play a visible role in closing health gaps.
BEI companies are encouraged to support Sista Strut leading up to the event:
- Rally Your Teams: Form a corporate walking team to represent your company on October 25.
- Use your platforms—internal and external—to share survivor stories, promote screenings, and encourage participation.
- Partner with organizers to underwrite survivor tributes, team shirts, or educational programming.
- Show up. Whether it’s executives walking alongside employees or ERGs leading fundraising efforts, visible leadership matters.
Sista Strut Indianapolis is presented by Black Onyx Management and Hensley Legal Group, with proceeds benefitting Cancer Support Community Indianapolis, which provides free support services to those impacted by cancer.
The business case is clear: when companies support community health, they strengthen their own future workforce. But beyond the bottom line, there’s something powerful about seeing neighbors, colleagues, and leaders strut together—united in purpose, fueled by hope, and moving forward toward equity.
BEI members, this is your invitation to walk the walk. Learn more and register now: https://real983.iheart.com/featured/sista-strut-indianapolis/
