Singing it loud for St. Jude: musicians, disc jockeys, Divine Nine mingle for Celebration of Hope

Musicians sahn, Jekalyn Carr, Doug E. Fresh, KEM, Kenny Lattimore and TWEET come together prior to Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids broadcast event

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The city of song and soul welcomed more than 350 recording artists, radio hosts, podcasters, congregations and members of the Divine Nine to town for Celebration of Hope, a weekend of faith, family and fraternity honoring the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®.

Now in its 12th year, Celebration of Hope is a beloved tradition that rallies African American supporters of St. Jude ahead of the annual Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids event, a nationwide event taking place Feb. 29 - March 1, 2024.

In 2018, Chadwick Boseman visited the campus of St. Jude while undergoing treatment for cancer. Simone Ledward Boseman, who performs as sahn, took to the stage and performed “strong friends” from her debut album, the mornings. After her husband’s passing, sahn found solace in creating music with tones of sorrow, hope, and with an eclectic energy.

The event featured a campus tour and live performances by recording artists like Jekalyn Carr, Doug E. Fresh, KEM, Kenny Lattimore, TWEET and Jor’Dan Armstrong. Throughout the weekend, several St. Jude supporters were recognized for their commitment, one being Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., which was honored for its groundbreaking achievement of being the first Divine Nine sorority to raise $1 million for St. Jude. Tonisha, a St. Jude patient mom and member of Sigma Gamma Rho, presented the St. Jude Pioneer Award to Rasheeda S. Liberty, International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho.

Support from events like Celebration of Hope and Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids helps ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.

Help kids everywhere by becoming a monthly Partner in Hope at musicgives.org.