NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Hale Stadium transformed into a sea of vibrant pink on Oct. 9 as hundreds of Tennessee State University students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members gathered for the annual Miles of Hope walk/run. Organized by the Department of Residence Life and Housing, the event aimed to raise breast cancer awareness, honor survivors, and remember loved ones.
As the walk/run began, TSU’s famed Aristocrat of Bands led the way around the track, setting an energetic tempo as participants celebrated the moment.
The afternoon featured special tribute recognizing two cancer survivors as the 2026 Miles of Hope Special Honorees: Dr. Tracey Harris, assistant director of assessment in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Assessment; and Cassandra Williams, purchasing manager in the College of Agriculture.
“Today, we have the special privilege of recognizing two of our very own members of the Tennessee State University family, Dr. Tracey Harris and Ms. Cassandra Williams, as our 2026 Miles of Hope Special Honorees,” university officials said. “Our Miles of Hope Walk is more than an event. It is a celebration of life, and a demonstration of love. Today, we honor your stories, celebrate your strength, and remind you that you are never walking alone.”
Harris, who has worked at TSU since 2005, is a mother of three and grandmother of eight. She rang the bell on Feb. 18, marking the end of her cancer treatment.
“As a breast cancer survivor, this means the world to me,” Harris said. “Many people who have gone through this journey didn’t make it, so I don’t take this moment, the love or the support for granted. I thank God and my village for helping me get through it all. It means so much to see my university continue to support breast cancer awareness and survivors. I’m truly grateful.”
Williams, who completed her treatment on Aug. 31, reflected on keeping her journey private while maintaining routine. She encouraged others to seek immediate medical help if they feel anything unusual in their body.
“I was surprised by the recognition because I’m a very private person, and I didn’t want many people to know what I was going through,” Williams said. “But I feel honored and respected to have my journey acknowledged. Throughout my treatment, I prided myself on maintaining a sense of normalcy. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me or make special allowances. I simply wanted to continue living my life as normally as possible, with the flexibility to attend my medical appointments. That sense of normalcy helped me tremendously.”
The event’s success highlights a growing tradition on campus.
“We brought the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Walk and Run back to campus two years ago, and it’s wonderful to see the community embrace it,” said Yalanda Parr, resident director for Ford and NRC housing and coordinator of the event. “Thanks to our Residence Life social media team, we’ve had a tremendous turnout. Breast cancer touches so many lives, whether personally or through a family member or friend, and this event gives our community an opportunity to come together in support of those affected.”
Students were equally glad to participate and celebrate the courage of survivors and help spread the word about breast cancer. Soma Kamara, a junior finance major from Minneapolis, and member of the TSU women’s basketball team, attended alongside several of her teammates.
“It’s great to see the community come together for such an important cause, supporting cancer patients, survivors and everyone affected by cancer,” Kamara said. “Someone I grew up around was diagnosed with cancer. She’s been fighting hard and doing well. Seeing the entire community come out and walk for something so meaningful is truly inspiring.”
Representatives from Ascension Saint Thomas also attended the rally, providing valuable resources and raising awareness. They distributed brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and cards to equip participants with information on prevention, early detection, and community support.
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
