Christen Dukes Launches Foundation to Help Others Like Himself With Debilitating Diseases

 

Christen Dukes decided long ago that sickle cell anemia
and cerebral palsy wouldn't be a barrier to keep him
from realizing his goals. Photo by Wiley Henry

MEMPHIS, TN – He wasn’t expected to live. But then Christen Dukes beat the odds –– a preemie weighing a mere 2 lbs. and 5 oz. But he couldn’t beat the agony of sickle cell disease and cerebral palsy.

He questioned God: “Why me? Why was I born with sickle cell and cerebral palsy? Why do I have to deal with this?” 

Then it dawned on Dukes that there is more to his life than grappling with his twofold malady. An accomplished trombonist, he would rather make music and help others with debilitating diseases.

On Sept. 15, Dukes is hosting a benefit concert at Stax Museum of American Soul Music, featuring Deonna Sirod, Adajyo, and Dukes’ friends. The doors will open at 6 p.m. for a museum tour; the concert will follow at 7.

Proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Hematology Clinic and Dukes’ newly founded “Arts Over Odds Foundation.” General admission is $30. Live stream: $15. Tickets are available at www.givebutter.com/artsforallbenefitconcert.

Dukes said the idea for his “Arts Over Odds Foundation” was revealed to him when he was a junior at Visible Music College in Memphis, where he majored in music engineering and production/performance.

He graduated from the college in 2019. Prior to that, he’d graduated from Craigmont High School in 2014. “I was really trying to find out my purpose in life and what I really wanted to do as a career,” said Dukes, 27.

The answer came to him during a 5 a.m. prayer service at his home church, Reformation Memphis. “I was really praying about my purpose and what I wanted to do,” he said, adding, “God literally showed me a vision of what my organization would look like.”

Dukes decided that individuals grappling with maladies such as his would be the foundation’s focus. But then he vacillated between people with other debilitating diseases.

“After talking to some people and thinking about my overall story, I had to realize that I’m not just dealing with sickle cell. I’m dealing with cerebral palsy,” said Dukes, who has hosted benefit concerts for St. Jude before.

The last benefit concert was in 2019. This one is different. It’s Dukes’ official launch of his “Arts Over Odds Foundation.” And he hopes to reach as many people as possible via the arts.

“I always had a deep passion and love for the arts,” he said, familiarizing himself with several musical instruments –– including the baritone and percussions –– as early as eight years old. 

He’d become more attentive to the trombone instead and honed its sound into a melodious blend of R&B, funk, and jazz fusion.

A former student of Stax Music Academy, Dukes has traveled and played his trombone. “Going to Stax as early as I did helped me to go to college,” he said, “and doing what I’m doing now.”

Dukes was also fortunate to attend Berklee College of Music’s five-week summer program, thanks to an award that he received in 2017 from the Memphis Beat the Odds Foundation.

He wants his own foundation to be art-based, not just about music. And he envisions a facility with recording studios, art studios, photography studios, editing rooms, and sound stages.

“I think we will be something special –– not just for this city, but for this region or even farther,” he said.

The “Arts Over Odds Foundation” is nonprofit and has an 11-member board so far. Dukes is the founding president.

The foundation’s mission is “to teach youth and young adults with health disorders in multiple fields of the arts and inspire them to work toward and believe in a thriving future.”

Dukes has had some challenges. But he’s not ready to quit. “I didn’t want sickle cell to become a barrier and not go after what I wanted to do,” he said, “and not try my hardest to do it.”

Sickle Cell Awareness Concert benefits St. Jude

Christen Dukes (third from left on trombone) and his friends play Minglewood Hall
to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where he received treatment
for sickle cell anemia. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

Christen Dukes has struggled with sickle cell anemia since birth 22 years ago. He weighed a mere 2 lbs. and hasn’t forgotten the doctors and the hospital that kept him alive.

On Friday, June 8, Dukes, a stellar musician, hosted his 5th Annual Sickle Cell Awareness Benefit Concert at Minglewood Hall. Proceeds from the ticketed event benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It takes $2.2 million a day to operate St. Jude, which has one of the largest sickle cell treatment programs in the country. Approximately 75 percent of the funds necessary to sustain and grow St. Jude come from public contributions.

Dukes started contributing to the hospital’s bottom line to say thanks and to create awareness of the ravaging blood disease. Albeit minuscule to some, the money is a token of his appreciation.

He set this year’s goal at $10,000 and entreats friends and supporters to contribute.

“This has grown tremendously than when I first started,” said Dukes, a senior at Visible Music College in Memphis majoring in music engineering and production/performance. He’s also studying the business of music.

“I can see it [benefit concert] going places than when I first envisioned it,” he added.

Dukes plays a mean trombone. This was evident when he and his band of musician friends – Ebony Angel, Christopher Patrick Bounds, The PRVLG, Cameron Bethany, Tia Henderson, Chordz, Deonna Pruitt, and others – played a two-hour jam session.

Some of the musicians and singers – equally adept at delivery and performance – are Dukes’ college-mates; some of them are from Stax Music Academy, where he graduated high school and is now a member of the Stax Music Alumni Band.

“Since he first started this project, his friends have been so supportive and have done everything to help him,” said Katherine Williams, Dukes’ mother. “When he calls on them, they are there.”

Williams is Dukes’ staunchest supporter. She’s his rock too. “She’s amazing,” said Dukes, underscoring the point that she’s been by his side since birth. “Some parents will support their kids, but her support is beyond normal.”

She’s not shy or reticent to return kudos either. “I think he’s doing a great work for a great cause. It’s something that’s greatly needed,” said Williams, adding, “It’s an awesome thing to give back and make a difference.”

Dukes is encouraging people to get tested and screened for sickle cell. “He’s helping those within his circle,” Williams said. “Now his friends know more about sickle cell. They know that it’s inherited from birth.”

“It makes me feel good that I’m able to give back and help others through this event and any other thing that I’m doing,” he said. “It makes me feel good that I’m doing something meaningful.”

Sometimes disappointment flares up like the pain that Dukes feels on a bad day. Still, he forges ahead, dismissing disappointment and encouraging himself to carry on come what may.

When Dukes launched his first benefit concert, the crowd was relatively small. Perhaps they were trying to get a feel for what Dukes was trying to accomplish. “I told him not to be discouraged,” Williams said then. “It’s a good cause.”

The benefit concert continues to grow – from a church venue to a more relaxed, intimate setting at Minglewood, where supporters were able to mingle and lounge at draped tables and partake of hors d’oeuvres.

While Dukes and his friends were belting out instrumentals and solo-led adaptations of familiar songs, their overall performance could have rivaled any seasoned performer. Preserving the moment, Terry Dukes focused his camera lens and fired the shutter.

In addition to music, Dukes is learning photography from his father. He hopes to be just as gifted as a photographer as he is a trombonist. “He’s showing me the ropes,” Dukes said.

It’s another opportunity that Dukes doesn’t take lightly. His father, who is proud of his son’s advocacy and philanthropy, has been front and center at each benefit concert with his camera ready to frame the moment.

“I look up to him for wisdom,” Dukes said. “I can depend on my dad.”

Dukes and his mother are already thinking about next year’s benefit concert for St. Jude. “I don’t plan on stopping,” he said.

Sickle cell patient sponsors concert to benefit St. Jude

Jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum presents Christen Dukes a Certificate of Special
Congressional Recognition for community from the office of 9th Congressional
District Cong. Steve Cohen. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

     The small, intimate crowd was flabbergasted when they noticed one of the world’s greatest jazz saxophonists sitting among them. Christen Dukes, a trombonist, was just as surprised to see Kirk Whalum, the Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and recording artist.

Whalum and his wife, Joyce, made a personal appearance on Saturday, Jan. 18, to support Dukes’ benefit concert and sickle cell awareness program and to stand in the gap for 9^th Congressional District Cong. Steve Cohen, who cited the 20-year-old for his musical talent and his philanthropic support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Dukes stood next to Whalum in the pulpit of New Growth in Christ Christian Center at 7550 East Shelby Dr. before the concert began. Dukes had been a patient at the children’s hospital most of his life. He suffers from sickle cell anemia.

Christen Dukes (Courtesy of the
Soulsville Foundation)

Whalum joked that he’d never received a congressional citation. Already familiar with the saxophonist’s impressive music pedigree, Dukes smiled broadly. His smile brightened when Whalum referred to him as his “little brother.”

Whalum is the chief creative officer of the Stax Music Academy and Stax Museum of American Soul, which the non-profit Soulsville Foundation, the parent organization, operates. Dukes is a former student at the music academy, which serves at-risk youth.

The Saturday evening concert was one of two events that Dukes organized to benefit St. Jude. The other was a drum clinic at New Growth on Friday, June 17, featuring Christopher Bounds II, a.k.a. Chris Pat, a premier percussion instructor at the music academy, and David Pruitt, a music academy graduate.

Both Bounds, 28, and Pruitt, 20, unleashed a flurry of rhythmic beats and demonstrated impeccable skills to drum up support for St. Jude. Pruitt called Bounds his mentor. Each drummer explained their drum styles and what compelled them to play a particular song.

“I got the idea to do a drum clinic when I started planning this year’s benefit concert. I got the idea to make it a two-day event and feature great drummers,” said Dukes, noting that he wanted to do something different for his third benefit concert.

The Stax Alumni Band, of which Dukes is a member, kicked off the concert with an old-school tune and flavor reminiscent of the glory days when the legendary Stax Records ruled the charts. Dukes wailed away on his trombone, meshing notes with other horns and song stylists fronting the band.

Also featured in concert were JCKSN Ave., Paul McKinney, Charles Pender II, Tracey Curry-Dell, and Angelica Eboni Angel. The music reverberated in the sanctuary one act after another.

 “This is pretty much a way to give back to St. Jude, because they do so much with kids who have sickle cell,” said Dukes, who graduated from the music academy in 2014 and now attends Visible Music College in Downtown Memphis.

Katherine Williams, Dukes’ mother, noted her son’s commitment to St. Jude. What he’s trying to do, she said, “is educate people about sickle cell and hopefully save someone’s life. That’s one of the reasons why he gives to St. Jude – because they made a difference in his life.”

Dukes was treated at St. Jude from birth until he turned 18. Now he’s receiving treatment at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.

“He goes there for his check-ups,” said Williams. “Some of his doctors who were at St. Jude are at the Center.”

Dukes and his mother are already planning next year’s benefit concert. “Next year, we’re going to have sickle cell screenings on site to determine who has the sickle cell trait,” she said.

‘Christen, don’t give up!…’

Katherine Williams drew in a deep breath and exhaled following a morning salute to graduating seniors at Craigmont High School. One of the graduates – her son, Christen Walker Dukes – weighed only two pounds at birth, was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, and wasn't expected to live.

The grim report that Williams had received from the doctors at Methodist University Hospital 18 years ago was superseded by her son's dogged determination to survive and overcome the malady that threatened his life.

"He was a preemie at birth and underdeveloped," said Williams, who birthed her son after a 24-week gestation period. "He was born on a Thursday, around 3 p.m., and the doctors said he wouldn't live throughout the night."

Dukes was hospitalized for three months before he was allowed to go home. He had defied the doctors' prognosis, but there would be a revolving door to and from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where he would go periodically for routine checkups. Along the way, he would summon the wherewithal to succeed at most endeavors and do it so well that admirers would heap accolades upon him.

His mother is his biggest admirer.

"He has been an honor student from the first-grade through the 12th grade," said Williams, basking in the light of her son's achievements, both medically and academically. "The doctors said he wouldn't make it, but he's accomplished a lot.

"He'll be wearing several ribbons and medallions around his neck at graduation."

Graduation Day

On Saturday, May 17th at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, 178 graduating seniors bid farewell to their alma mater and looked toward the future. As he had done at the salute to seniors two days earlier, Alvin Wright, Dukes' pre-calculus and honors teacher, made a special presentation that surprised Dukes. Wright spoke fondly of his student and presented him with the "Beat the Odds" award at the graduation.

Christen Dukes receives the "Beat the Odds" award.

"I was shocked and surprised. I wasn't expecting it," said Dukes, who graciously accepted the plaque as a memento for the years he's struggled to survive.

With Dukes by his side on the commencement stage with school officials and political leaders, Wright implored the senior class to point in Dukes' direction and say, "Christen, don't give up!"

"At times I thought my situation would stop me from certain things," said Dukes, who rides the wave of good and bad days. "But the fact that I have faith in God, I'm inspired and motivated to do the things I do."

Dukes, a musician with impeccable skills, plays the trombone and baritone horn – a talent his mother said budded when Dukes was around 8 years old. He took music in the 5th grade, played in the band in middle school, and then performed in the marching band in high school. He plays jazz, rhythm and blues, and fusion.

"Music is my passion. It speaks to me and gets me through the day," said Dukes. "It comes from the inside, but whoever listens to it, it can speak to them as well."

The Dukes vita...

The wellspring that Dukes draws inspiration from comes from the jazz music of Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, the former Stax Music Academy's artist in residence and current president and CEO of the Soulsville Foundation.

Dukes has studied at Stax Music Academy for five years after auditioning in the 8th-grade and receiving a scholarship. His tenure is over at the end of June and then he's off to Bethel University in McKenzie, Tenn., where he will join the Renaissance band and continue to study music.

"I've learned a lot over the past five years," said Dukes, who aspires to be one of the greatest trombone players of his time. "I learned to stay humble, always put God first in whatever I do, and believe He will work everything out. I also learned a whole lot of music knowledge."

Dukes' academic success and his prowess as a musician have catapulted him farther than he'd ever expected. His vita is replete with accomplishments – artistic pursuits, social activism and community service – that would rival a seasoned professional.

Last year, in December, Dukes was invited to attend Nobel Week for a three-day awards ceremony at Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden, on behalf of the National Society of High School Scholars, which recognizes academic excellence.

He also spent five weeks in the summer of 2013 as an intern at Berkley College of Music in Boston, Mass., on behalf of Stax Music Academy. In 2012, he performed at the WattStax Music Festival with his peers from Stax Music Academy for the festival's 40th anniversary.

Citations, awards and honors abound. He was a recipient of the Jefferson Awards Students In Action for public service, selected for the People to People Ambassador Programs for academic excellence, and has been a member of the National Honor Society since middle school.

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr., Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr. and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen all have cited Dukes for his commitment to St. Jude, where he serves on the teen advisory board, volunteers for St. Jude, and produces an annual concert to benefit the children. He also advocates for The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee.

The 'rock'...

When Dukes is off to college, he'll be missed by his mother, who hopes he will continue to excel academically and improve his musicianship.

"I always told him to follow his dreams, be committed to what he's doing, know that there are no limitations, keep God first, and know that he can do anything that he wants to do in life," said Williams.

"My mom is my rock," said Dukes. "I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for her help and strength. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing."

It got hard sometimes, he said.

"But my mom stayed strong for me to help me get through my medical problems. She stayed positive."