Urban Radio, Divine Nine Join Forces for Weekend of Song, Sneakers and Soul at St. Jude Celebration of Hope

Recording artists PJ Morton, Isaiah Templeton, DOE, Pastor Mike Jr., and Eric Bellinger, Greek organizations gather ahead of nationwide broadcast event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

February 06, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

MEMPHIS, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–More than 400 St. Jude supporters, music and radio industry representatives, media, community changemakers, influential artists, St. Jude Sunday of Hope congregations, and The National Pan-Hellenic Council gathered for Celebration of Hope, a weekend of inspiration, warmth, and creativity in honor of the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®: Finding cures. Saving children^®.

Supporters gather for the St. Jude Celebration of Hope seminar in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

This annual gathering rallies African American partners and supporters of St. Jude ahead of the Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids radio event, a nationwide broadcast being held March 2-3, 2023.

Held in person for the first time in three years, the aptly themed ‘Homecoming’ weekend kicked off with a pep rally and tailgate on the St. Jude campus. Festivities included a Greek Stroll with the Divine Nine Greek organizations, a campus tour and live performances by recording artists, PJ Morton, Isaiah Templeton, DOE, Pastor Mike Jr., Major, and Eric Bellinger, and the Memphis Grizzlies drumline, Grizzline.

Pastor Mike Jr. performs during the Celebration of Hope Sneaker Ball event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

St. Jude patients and recording artists combined their creative talents in an art session where they designed and decorated one-of-a-kind Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, donated by business partner DTLR, Inc. All listeners who sign up to become a Partner in Hope during the March radio event will be entered to win a pair of the unique sneakers, among other prize incentives. The sneaker-themed art session preceded the highly anticipated Sneaker Ball where guests traded their dress shoes for sneakers.

Attendees gather at a patient art session. (Photo: Business Wire)

Events like the Celebration of Hope and Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids radio event help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food—so they can focus on helping their child live.

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