Heritage and Awareness: Alexis Willoughby-Robinson’s Story of Survival

The year was 2013, and for Alexis Willoughby-Robinson, life had finally started feeling good. A single mom of an eight-year-old son, she had just purchased her first home through Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, a nonprofit that works to increase access to homeownership among the city’s residents, and earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of New Haven. Willoughby-Robinson was preparing to apply to law school, hoping to pursue a graduate degree at Yale before working in civil service and advocacy. Everything was going according to plan.

But her streak of good fortune changed when she noticed a knot in her breast. Following a round of antibiotics, doctors ordered a biopsy. Then, they delivered a frightening diagnosis: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a pre-invasive form of breast cancer. Through five years of volunteer work with Making Strides, a New Haven organization which raises lifesaving funds to support those affected by breast cancer, she was familiar with the disease; experiencing it firsthand was a different story.

The American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. Though it’s the second-leading cause of cancer death in American women overall, it’s the leading cause of cancer death in Black and Hispanic women. Black women, who have a 4% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than White women, are 40% more likely to die than their White counterparts and have the lowest five-year relative survival rate compared to all other racial or ethnic groups. This trend holds true across every stage of diagnosis and breast cancer subtype.

Individuals can take action to lower their risk for developing breast cancer by being active, maintaining a healthy body weight, and limiting alcohol. For Willoughby-Robinson, staying vigilant was key to catching cancer early. “Self-exams are vital,” she says. “Unfortunately, certain health policies require you to be over 40 to get a mammogram, but advocacy for early testing is important, especially in the African American community.”

Faced with a daunting decision only she could make, Willoughby-Robinson opted for a double mastectomy to prevent the risk of cancerous cells returning. It worked: after a grueling process consisting of surgery, weeks of rehab with limited mobility, drains removing fluids from her body, and a full breast reconstruction, the cancerous cells were gone. But the road to recovery had only just begun. Faced with a body she wasn’t familiar with, she began to suffer from depression and her appetite lessened.

To cope with the physical and mental challenges, she leaned on her community for support and began strength training to regain confidence. Family and friends stepped in to help her carry the load in her time of need, which allowed her the ability to fully heal.

“Society doesn’t often leave space for the stereotypical, strong, Black woman to give herself grace and accept support,” says Willoughby-Robinson. “However, situations like this teach you to embrace and accept hands to hold, shoulders to cry on, and hearts to connect with in times of need.”

Now, over a decade later, Willoughby-Robinson is devoted to paying forward the support she received, often sharing her breast cancer survival story at events and volunteering throughout New Haven. As Yale SOM’s associate director for outreach and engagement, she works closely with students, faculty, staff, and New Haven community members to build a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive world.

After her journey with cancer, her best advice is to be compassionate and empathetic. “In spite of what you’re going through, remember that there may be someone going through something worse,” she says. “So always smile and give grace.”

About Black History Month

Each February, the Yale School of Management participates in the U.S. celebration of Black History Month, a monthlong commemoration of African American history and achievement. This year’s national theme, “African Americans and Labor,” focuses on the ways work and labor are connected to experiences of Black people.

Yale SOM celebrates and uplift Black voices, traditions, and culture within our community and beyond. This year, SOM’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) will honor Black History Month through book giveaways, a Charley’s Place takeover with a menu curated by the Black Business Alliance, and a panel discussion on intersectional identities in the WNBA.

OID hosts multiple cultural immersions throughout the academic year to encourage the SOM community to engage deeply with different cultures through sound, taste, touch, and thought in support of our mission to foster understanding, empathy, and inclusivity.