By Chanda Temple
When the City of Birmingham’s StrongHer campaign hosted the Pink Parade in Linn Park in October 2024 for breast cancer survivors and supporters, StrongHer honoree and makeup artist Katasha Thomas-Peterson of KP Artistry 7 saw that as the perfect time to make someone’s day.
Katasha had applications in the park, asking breast cancer survivors and breast cancer patients to explain why they needed a makeover. After reviewing the applications, Katasha selected Arica Etheridge, who was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in June 2019. Arica, 56, completed her treatment in October 2020.
Arica’s journey resonated with Katasha, 43. Arica lost her mother in December 2018, and then she lost her father in January 2020. Katasha lost an aunt and a mother-in-law to cancer, so she could only imagine the hurt Arica experienced in mourning her parents while undergoing breast cancer treatments.
“I’ve been on a mission to help those facing breast cancer. And when I heard about the Pink Parade, I figured that would be a good way to help other women,’’ said Katasha, who was selected as a StrongHer honoree in March 2024. “All week, I’ve been in Atlanta, working at Tyler Perry Studios. But I got up at 3:30 this morning and drove back to Birmingham because I had to be here today for Arica.’’
Upon entering Katasha’s KPArtistry 7 salon, Katasha had fruit, muffins, OJ, sparkling water and gifts waiting on Arica. Then, Katasha had Arica sit in her chair, where Katasha worked on Arica’s chestnut-colored skin. Between the moisturizer, primer and eyelash applications, the two strangers chatted like longtime friends.
At the end of the session, “Girl, You’ve Got It,’’ a song by blues singer King George, played on Katasha’s iPad. It set the mood for moment.
“Girl, you’ve got it.
Act like you know.
Girl, you’ve got it.
And no matter where, you show it.
Say, girl, you’ve got it
Act like you know it.
Girl, you’ve got it.
And no matter where, you show it.’’
Arica rose from her chair, looked in the mirror and exclaimed: “Oh wow! I’m so thankful for this because I’ve never had an opportunity like this. I’m so appreciative.’’
Said Katasha: “Always remember you are beautiful, no matter what. And always continue to strive and keep your head up, because girl, you’ve got it.’’
March 1, 2025 kicks off the seventh year of the city’s StrongHer initiative. Each day in March, which is Women’s History Month, the city will highlight an unsung shero working to make a difference in Birmingham. All stories will be written by Chanda Temple.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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