How St. Louis’ Tom Bailey Sparked a Movement in Prostate Cancer Awareness
St. Louis Leader Tom Bailey Honored for Transforming Prostate Cancer Advocacy
During Black History Month, The Empowerment Network, Inc. (TEN) honored Tom Bailey, a dedicated servant leader in St. Louis, with the “Wind Beneath Our Wings Award.” This recognition celebrates Bailey’s pivotal role in inspiring the organization’s founding and his ongoing contributions to prostate cancer advocacy.
The award was presented on February 14 during TEN’s Prostate Cancer Survivors Support Group meeting. Mellve Shahid Sr., the Founder and Executive Director of TEN, praised Bailey’s leadership and vision. He stated, “We honor you for your leadership, your vision, and your willingness to open a door that changed countless lives.”
Bailey expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of receiving the award during Black History Month. He also commended Shahid for turning his personal cancer journey into a mission of advocacy and service.
A Meeting That Sparked a Movement
The roots of The Empowerment Network trace back to May 2007. At the time, Mellve Shahid Sr. had recently undergone prostate cancer surgery. He attended a planning session at 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, a civic leadership and mentoring organization. Tom Bailey, a leader within the group, invited Shahid to chair a prostate cancer awareness walk committee. He also encouraged him to recruit survivors to participate.
The event, held during the annual Missouri Black Expo, aimed to promote early detection and encourage men to undergo PSA screenings. What began as a volunteer assignment ultimately inspired Shahid to establish TEN in 2008.
Building Awareness and Support
Since its founding, The Empowerment Network has reached thousands of men and families. The organization focuses on education, advocacy, testing initiatives, and survivor support programs. It has been instrumental in shifting the conversation around prostate cancer from silence and fear to awareness and hope.
Shahid, now a two-time prostate cancer survivor, reflected on the impact of that initial awareness walk. “Tom’s assignment ignited a new way of thinking for men struggling with this disease,” Shahid said. “It changed the direction of my life and helped spark a mission that continues today.”
Shared Recognition and Continued Advocacy
Currently, Tom Bailey serves as Vice President of Development for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. He shares this honor with the many advocates, community partners, and prostate cancer survivors who have supported awareness efforts over the years.
Bailey emphasized that TEN’s work reassures men facing prostate cancer that they do not have to walk the journey alone.
Continuing the Mission
Today, The Empowerment Network remains a vital force in prostate cancer education, advocacy, and survivor support. The organization works tirelessly to ensure earlier detection, stronger survivorship networks, and greater awareness of prostate cancer disparities affecting men of color.
For more information about their initiatives, visit The Empowerment Network’s website.
For additional insights into community advocacy and health equity, explore The Narrative Matters.
Related Resources
For additional insights into community advocacy and health equity, explore The Narrative Matters, a platform dedicated to amplifying stories that matter.
#ProstateCancerAwareness #StLouisLeader #BlackHistoryMonth
