About SoCOE 2026
Conference history, mission, and goals
2026 Theme
Understanding Societal and Structural Context to Improve Cancer Care and Outcomes
📅 May 6–8, 2026
📍 Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown, Detroit, MI
SoCOE 2025 Conference — Oakland, California
Our Mission
The SoCOE Alliance envisions an NCI Cancer Center ecosystem where Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) directly influences the conduct of research and all efforts to reduce the cancer burden in catchment areas nationwide. The Alliance was formed by Black COE Scientific Directors to advance the science and practice of COE, bringing diverse voices to national conversations about cancer health equity.
Conference Goals
Share Best Practices
Disseminating impactful strategies by leveraging the experience of national COE leaders and staff across NCI-designated cancer centers.
Increase Community Capacity
Training community advocates to enhance preparation for research engagement and drive actionable outcomes in underserved populations.
Train Future Leaders
Preparing early-stage investigators and COE professionals for leadership roles within NCI Cancer Centers nationwide.
History
NCI mandates Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) as a required, score-driving component of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG).
The Alliance of Black Scientific COE Directors is formed — a collaborative of 13 Directors and Deputy/Associate Directors of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.
Inaugural SoCOE Conference held in Jacksonville, FL. Theme: "Ready, Set, Go! The Right Partnerships, Right Innovation, and Right Impact." Funded by NCI grant R13CA290996.
2nd Annual SoCOE Conference held in Oakland, CA. Theme: "Optimizing Cancer Research, Care & Outcomes for All."
3rd Annual SoCOE Conference in Detroit, MI. Theme: "Understanding Societal and Structural Context to Improve Cancer Care and Outcomes."
NCI Funding: The SoCOE conference series is funded by the National Cancer Institute grant 1R13CA290996, awarded to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville in 2024.