Hela house - chicago

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Welcome Home

Welcome Home

Welcome Home

Henrietta Lacks House Chicago is a community-centered organization inspired by the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks—a woman whose cells revolutionized medicine but whose story reminds us of the importance of justice, ethics, and dignity in health and research.

This organization stands as a place for education, empowerment, inclusion and collaboration. We are building programs that support holistic health equity, inspire youth, uplift families, and honor the powerful intersection of science, research,community, and culture.

We welcome neighbors, educators, healthcare leaders, researchers, faith-based, students and changemakers to partner with us. Whether you're looking to start a program, host a workshop, volunteer, or learn—there's a place for you here.

Together, we are reclaiming history and shaping a future rooted in trust, equity, and community voice.

Let’s build something powerful—together.

Legacy of the HeLa cells

In 1951, an African American women was diagnosed with cervival cancer at John Hopkins University. Dr. George Gey collected the patient's cancer cells but observed that unlike other patients, whose cells quickly died, his patient's cells continued to multiply. These cells, taken without the patient's knowledge, would soon become known as HeLa cells, an immortalized cell line that is one of today's most significant tools in biomedical research.

Henrietta Lacks

Although her cells lead countless breakthroughs in cancer research and throughout biomedical research, her legacy has raised questions abouts consent, ethics, and patient's rights. HeLa cells were used in many medical discoveries but without consent from Lacks and her family, violating her right to informed consent and right to privacy of her bodily tissues. Today, the Lacks family still fights for justice to be served.

Alfred Lacks Carter

Lacks-Carter is the founder and president of Henrietta Lacks House of Healing, a non-profit that provides housing, health resources, and educational/career services to ex-offenders, individuals struggling with homelessness or substance abuse, and many more who are in need. He is also an entrepreneur, actor, and highly sought public speaker.

"Another honor for me has been my being invited to share my grandmother's life story at speaking engagements in the United States and around the world. I have been blessed to speak at medical conferences, schools, and universities worldwide."

- Alfred Lacks-Carter

📬 Stay in the Loop

Or contact us:

Dr. Tonya S Roberson

Director of Community Outreach,

Engagement, and Research

drtroberson@communitypsych.org

(For speaking, media, or partnership and grant inquiries)