We are a non-profit organization (501c3) promoting the immortal biological contributions of Henrietta Lacks through social justice initiatives and community service partnerships in medicine and the biological sciences.
OUR MISSION INCLUDES:
• Promoting scientific research in the STEM fields • Promoting health equity • Promoting community health • Protecting, promoting, and preserving the legacy of Henrietta Lacks in medicine • Facilitating discussion, debate, and dialogue over issues of clinical research, health equity and related issues
OUR MISSION INCLUDES:
• Promoting scientific research in the STEM fields • Promoting health equity • Promoting community health • Protecting, promoting, and preserving the legacy of Henrietta Lacks in medicine • Facilitating discussion, debate, and dialogue over issues of clinical research, health equity and related issues
HENRIETTA LACKS HONORED BY VIRGINIA’S LEGISLATURE
Henrietta Lacks was honored today from the floors of the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. At the same time, Members of the Henrietta Lacks Family, and Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group were recognized by Senator William Stanley (Virginia Senatorial District 20), and Delegate James Edmunds (Virginia House District 60), as part of efforts to bring to fruition the Henrietta Lacks Commission and Henrietta Lacks Life Science Center (LSC) Project.
HISTORY OF THE HENRIETTA LACKS LIFE SCIENCE CENTER AND COMMISSION:
The Henrietta Lacks LSC and Commission is a joint effort begun by the Halifax County, Virginia, Industrial Development Authority (IDA), in partnership with the Virginia Legislature; Office of the Governor of Virginia; Henrietta Lacks family; Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group; and The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.
Henrietta Lacks is an important historical figure in the world of cancer treatment and biomedical research. She was raised, married and started her family in Halifax County, Virginia, and is buried in a cemetery in the Lacks Town area of the county in Clover, Virginia. The story of how her unique cell line became one of the most important biomedical research advancements of the 20th century gained world-wide attention through the New York Times Best Selling Book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, released in 2010. An HBO movie of the same name, was produced by and starred Oprah Winfrey.
The Henrietta Lacks LSC is currently conceived to be a $50M, 200,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art medical research and treatment facility, to be built in the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority’s Southern Virginia Technology Park (SVTP), a short drive from Henrietta Lacks’ Clover, Virginia home and final resting place. The Henrietta Lacks Life Science Center will be managed through a foundation, directed by representatives of the stakeholders who will build, operate, advance and sustain its multipurpose mission. These stakeholders will include the Lacks Family, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Halifax County IDA, resident research institutions, healthcare providers, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, and others as determined by the Henrietta Lacks Commission
The Henrietta Lacks Life Science Center’s mission will be to accelerate biomedical research through advanced methods, and highest-speed bio-data collection and analysis facilitated by the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) 1.2TBPS network, originally funded by the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Henrietta Lacks LSC will also provide personalized medical treatments to the overly affected yet underserved citizens of rural Southern Virginia; research, develop and commercialize new therapies; help transform the Southern Virginia economy; all the while appropriately honoring Henrietta Lacks’ unique legacy where it is most appropriate and most needed.
HISTORY OF THE HENRIETTA LACKS LIFE SCIENCE CENTER AND COMMISSION:
The Henrietta Lacks LSC and Commission is a joint effort begun by the Halifax County, Virginia, Industrial Development Authority (IDA), in partnership with the Virginia Legislature; Office of the Governor of Virginia; Henrietta Lacks family; Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group; and The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.
Henrietta Lacks is an important historical figure in the world of cancer treatment and biomedical research. She was raised, married and started her family in Halifax County, Virginia, and is buried in a cemetery in the Lacks Town area of the county in Clover, Virginia. The story of how her unique cell line became one of the most important biomedical research advancements of the 20th century gained world-wide attention through the New York Times Best Selling Book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, released in 2010. An HBO movie of the same name, was produced by and starred Oprah Winfrey.
The Henrietta Lacks LSC is currently conceived to be a $50M, 200,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art medical research and treatment facility, to be built in the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority’s Southern Virginia Technology Park (SVTP), a short drive from Henrietta Lacks’ Clover, Virginia home and final resting place. The Henrietta Lacks Life Science Center will be managed through a foundation, directed by representatives of the stakeholders who will build, operate, advance and sustain its multipurpose mission. These stakeholders will include the Lacks Family, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Halifax County IDA, resident research institutions, healthcare providers, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, and others as determined by the Henrietta Lacks Commission
The Henrietta Lacks Life Science Center’s mission will be to accelerate biomedical research through advanced methods, and highest-speed bio-data collection and analysis facilitated by the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) 1.2TBPS network, originally funded by the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Henrietta Lacks LSC will also provide personalized medical treatments to the overly affected yet underserved citizens of rural Southern Virginia; research, develop and commercialize new therapies; help transform the Southern Virginia economy; all the while appropriately honoring Henrietta Lacks’ unique legacy where it is most appropriate and most needed.
Student winners of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group 5th Annual Essay and Video Competition
State and local politicians came out to support the student winners of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group 5th Annual Essay and Video Competition at the Back History Month Program on February 25, 2018. Teachers and local residents were also on hand for the festivities. Photos by Justus Speed and Hartwell Speed
Opportunitie to get involved now...
Commerative Stamp Project
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Dr. Adele Newson-Horst HLLG Vice President
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Dear Friend/Colleague, On October 6, 2013 the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group launched a campaign to support the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp of Mrs. Henrietta Lacks, of the famed HeLa cells. Help us in our campaign for a Henrietta Lacks commemorative postage stamp by sending the letter of support found below and attached to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. The letter of support is found below and attached. Thank you for your consideration, Adele 
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Please sign the petition for a USPS commemorative postage stamp of the immortal Henrietta Lacks
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We write to request your favorable consideration of the authorization of a postage stamp commemorating the “immortal” Henrietta Lacks. It is our understanding that the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group (HLLG) presented a proposal to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to affect the commission of such a stamp on December 31, 2013 and again on July 11, 2017. Lacks’ legacy encompasses Black History, world history, and human welfare. In light of the tremendous contributions made to medical research, space exploration, and bioethics via her HeLa cells, it seems both proper and fitting that she should be recognized via a commemorative postage stamp.
Considered by many to be the mother of modern medicine, Henrietta Lacks has touched more people, influenced more medical breakthroughs, and saved more lives than anyone else in modern history. The most immediate result of HeLa was the creation of the Polio vaccine, which eradicated the disease. Clones of the original cell culture continue to serve as the foundation of groundbreaking scientific research, globally. In addition to those already listed, HeLa cells are used in the development of HIV/AIDS treatments, advancements in cloning, in vitro fertilization, and genetics research. Alas, because she was an African-American woman of humble birth and social standing in mid-20th century America, Mrs. Lacks’ true identity was deliberately concealed, robbing her and her descendants of rightful recognition. Only recently has the world awakened to the unparalleled, exceedingly positive impact Lacks has made toward its betterment. She has been and continues to be honored in many ways. Most recently, these honors include: |
2017 Designated street in Turner Station, Maryland as “Henrietta Lacks Place”
2017 Designated part of highway 695 in Dundalk, Maryland “Henrietta Lacks Way” 2017 The State of Maryland has designated the 1st Saturday in August as “Henrietta Lacks Day” 2017 Premiere of the television movie on HBO The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, starring Oprah Winfrey 2017 Exhibit honoring Henrietta Lacks kicks off 13-City Tour in Washington D.C at the African American Health Equity Summit 2016 The House of Representatives honored Henrietta Lacks for Women’s History Month, presented by the Hon. Elijah E. Cummings, on March 14, 2016 In summary, Henrietta Lacks has unquestionably earned international acclaim. We ask that the United States Postal Service show our nation’s appreciation for her immense gift by issuing a commemorative postage stamp in her honor. This tribute would do much towards justly acknowledging her legacy while enthusiastically demonstrating our embrace of this remarkable American woman and her miraculous endowment to humanity. Thank you for seriously evaluating this request. I trust that you will deem it worthy of your support. Please click on the orange button below. Thank you. |
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Photo: Servant Courtney Speed (President, HLLG), Kenneth Westry (VP, Institutional Advancement, Community College of Baltimore County), and Arkia Gowins (Secretary, HLLG)
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STEM Students and Museum Presented with Proceeds from HLLG Luncheon
On November 2, 2017, Speed and Gowins presented a check for monies raised at the October 6, 2017 Second Annual HLLG Luncheon.
Proceeds from the luncheon support HLLG’s efforts to place a wax figure of Henrietta Lacks in the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and support The Henrietta Lacks Endowed Scholarship (awarded to STEM students) at the Community College of Baltimore County. The fund is believed to be the only so named scholarship in the country. |
USE AMAZON SMILE TO DONATE TO HLLG-
More and more Americans are hopping online. Please remember that the HENRIETTA LACKS LEGACY GROUP is registered as a charitable organization through AMAZON SMILE.
More and more Americans are hopping online. Please remember that the HENRIETTA LACKS LEGACY GROUP is registered as a charitable organization through AMAZON SMILE.
- AMAZON SMILE donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AMAZON SMILE is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
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First Saturday Of August Named
'Henrietta Lacks Day'
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and others gather Saturday in Turner Station to honor the legacy of Henrietta Lacks. Michael Brice-Saddler, Baltimore Sun
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We had a fabulous free bus tour throughout the Historic African American Community of TURNER STATION. The event was co-sponsored by the Diggs-Johnson Museum and the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group (HLLG). The tour included a free light luncheon, and close looks at life and historic structures of the past, along with sharing historical information on Turner Station, highlighting the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks. Every picture tells a story. Here is the story of our day!
Click photos to view larger image
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Declare a National Recognition Day
The HLLG supports the declaration of a National Day of Recognition for Henrietta Lacks for the Immortal HeLa cell line. This is a long overdue acknowledgement for the matriarch of modern biomedical research. HeLa remains a foundation for other landmark scientific discoveries, not excluding breakthroughs in cancer, AIDS, and genetics research.
Please add your name in support of a National Day of Recognition for Henrietta Lacks.This petition will be delivered to:
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