Beyond The Gates Partners With Know Your Lemons Foundation to Spotlight Breast Cancer Awareness in Groundbreaking Storyline

Reel Perspectives

January 19, 2026

L- Tamara Tunie. R- Clifton Davis (CBS)

CBS groundbreaking daytime soap opera Beyond The Gates is making a meaningful change by shifting focus from its daily drama to collaborate with the Know Your Lemons Foundation. Founded by the passionate Dr. Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont, this nonprofit is dedicated to enhancing early breast cancer detection through creative education. This exciting partnership aims to raise awareness of a disease that significantly affects many African American women, introducing vital, life-saving initiatives through a new storyline that began airing on December 15.

The new soap opera, which launched in February of 2024, is set in a leafy Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, D.C, and focuses on the Duprees, "a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty."

The new storyline sees matriarch Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) receive a triple-negative (TNBC) breast cancer diagnosis as her family (Clifton Davis) and daughters, Dani (Karla Mosley) and Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix), rally around her to support her.

The storyline will continue to unfold in months to come as viewers follow Anita's chemotherapy journey and witness the emotional impact on the family as they navigate genetic testing for both the women and men who must confront the realities of the disease. Viewers will see the physical and mental effects of chemotherapy on Anita, including hair loss and the impact of the results of the BRCA gene test on her daughters and grandchildren.

The special awareness includes two PSAs, the first of which aired on January 1 and features series regulars Karla Mosley and Daphnee Duplaix in a joint effort.

Per CBS' press release, the campaign not only raises awareness for the character's breast cancer journey, but it also showcases what it means to be positive for the BRCA gene and how that ripples through families and communities. Anita's journey offers a heartfelt, realistic look at a tragically common situation. Despite a 44% decline in breast cancer deaths since 1989, there is a mortality gap between Black and white women. Access and awareness are often barriers to Black women getting the care they need. By partnering with Know Your Lemons, Beyond The Gates takes a step toward bridging this gap.

Beyond The Gates executive producers Michele Val Jean and Tracey Thomson said:

"Our goal is to tell a story that raises awareness about the prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer and the importance of regular screenings to aid in early detection. Beyond that, we want to encourage and empower women to take an active role in their own breast health. You are your own best advocate."

CBS

Dr. Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont, CEO and founder of the Know Your Lemons Foundation, added:

"So often, we don't learn about breast health until we have a breast problem. In partnership with BEYOND THE GATES, we can educate about the 12 symptoms of breast cancer and share an app that has saved many lives through early detection of breast cancer. Including us in the promotion of Anita's diagnosis is a meaningful way to not only raise awareness among viewers but also encourage them to get screened, report a change, and feel more confident about their health. We're thrilled to be working alongside the show team to bring this education to everyone."

Their Know Your Lemons campaign and award-winning app have reached over 2 billion people worldwide, helping to make breast health knowledge accessible, visual, and the reason why many lives have been saved from breast cancer.

Know Your Lemons app features:

• Customize options for Black breast health

• Calculate a personalized risk score based on age and health history

• Build a custom screening plan tailored to country guidelines and risk factors

• Learn the 12 signs of breast cancer using easy, memorable visuals

• Follow self-exam audio guides to understand what feels normal and how to report a change

• Get reminders and earn badges to stay on top of screening and monthly self-exams

The series is a CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, led by Sheila Ducksworth, in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble, and executive-produced by Michele Val Jean. Additional executive producers are Julie Carruthers, Tracey Thompson, Leon W. Russell, Derrick Johnson, Kimberly Doebereiner, and Anna Saalfeld.

Catch a special Martin Luther King episode on Monday, January 19th, as the cast comes together to discuss their respective storylines and take viewers on an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Season 1 and a preview of Season 2.

Beyond The Gates airs weekdays at 2 pm EST on CBS, with full episodes available to stream on Paramount+ and the CBS app.