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.”

St. Jude’s children ignite one man’s passion for giving

Eugene Phillips (standing third from right) is surrounded by his friends and supporters.

Children grappling with catastrophic diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis are being treated by the best of doctors without their families worrying about paying the bill.

That’s why fundraising is integral to the hospital’s success and important to Eugene Phillips, who started raising money over 30 years ago in honor of his birthday. In lieu of receiving gifts, he asks his friends to donate to St. Jude. 

On Feb. 10, Phillips welcomed several of his friends into his lavish home in Germantown to celebrate his 69th birthday – which was actually Feb. 12. They supped with him and, of course, donated to the hospital. 

“He doesn’t allow you to bring gifts for him,” said Janelle R. Eskridge, who attended the event with her husband, Reginald L. Eskridge, both attorneys and longtime friends of Phillips.

Dino Palazzolo (right) and his wife, Louisette, are longtime
friends of Eugene Phillips and his support of St. Jude. They
brought a gift to show their appreciation. (Photos
by Wiley Henry)

The idea of raising funds for St. Jude’s children ignited Phillips’ passion for giving after touring the hospital one day with the late Sandy Vogel Lewis, a longtime community activist and board member of St. Jude.

“I asked her to take me on a tour and I was impressed,” said Phillips, a respiratory therapist who has been in the medical profession for 48 years. He has raised to date nearly $100,000.

“Eugene is a selfless individual,” said James Bridges Jr., Phillips’ cousin. “It’s a wonderful gesture that he would take this time to celebrate his birthday and support the children of St. Jude.”

This is the third birthday celebration and fundraiser for Bridges and his wife, Anita. His mother, Doris Bridges, and aunt, Gwendolyn Nelson, were earlier supporters of Phillips, but could not make it this year.

Terry Pickett and his wife, Gisela, live approximately three blocks from Phillips. They have supported Phillips for 10 years and wish him the best as he endeavors to lend St. Jude a helping hand. 

“It’s typical of Eugene. His whole life is dedicated to serving people,” said Terry Pickett, a retired college professor who taught at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at Sanford University in Birmingham, Ala.

“He is so positive. It’s unbelievable,” Gisela Pickett added.

Dino Palazzolo said Phillips is the most loyal person and that he is a friend of St. Jude. He added: “He has the enthusiasm for St. Jude. He donates and never asks for anything for himself.”

Palazzolo and his wife, Louisette, have been friends with Phillips for 40 years. “We try to make every party he has because of St. Jude,” he said.

Phillips has a heart for philanthropy and a hearty spirit for giving. What he does for St. Jude’s children means a lot to him. “This is an encouragement for young black people to help somebody,” he said, and added that people have to be taught to give. 

Giving is second nature to Phillips.

Like the others, Dr. Gregory Hanissian also responded to Phillips’ clarion call for help. He and his family, Phillips said, have been supportive of his birthday and St. Jude fundraiser throughout the years.

Phillips said Jim and Sarah Schwab are avid supporters. She was present, but her husband, Phillips was told, has been grappling with an illness and was not well enough to make it.

Other longtime supporters of Phillips once again made the annual pilgrimage to his home, including Sally Molasky and Rita Hutchings, Michael Fahr and his fiancé, Sara Alwafai, and Zeina Alwafai and her friend, Matthew Yarbrough. 

Friends celebrate Eugene Phillips’ birthday with a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Eugene Phillips and Anita Ward-Richardson stop to take a look at one of several
photos of her hanging in a hallway in Phillips' home that he named in her honor.
(Photos by Wiley Henry)

Home is where Eugene Phillips’ heart is and where he feels most comfortable. His heart is also with the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who grapple with catastrophic diseases.

On Sunday evening (Feb. 10), Phillips opened the door of his lavishly decorated home in Germantown to a cadre of special friends who celebrated his birthday over dinner and made a donation to St. Jude.

Phillips, whose birthday was Feb. 12, has raised more than $100,000 for St. Jude over the course of 35 years – thanks to an eclectic mix of friends: doctors, CEOs, entertainers, entrepreneurs, ministers, business owners, social justice advocates, and others.

“It’s a blessing to have friends to donate money to St. Jude in honor of my birthday,” Phillips said.

Willie Bland, wife of the late bluesman Bobby Blue Bland,
relaxes in the room that Eugene Phillips named in honor
of his friend.

Raising funds for St. Jude sparked Phillips’ interest decades ago after longtime community activist Sandy Vogel Lewis escorted him on a tour of the campus. She had served more than 20 years on St. Jude’s board before she died in 2010.

“I was so impressed,” he said. “They [St. Jude] do so much for children and their families.”

Phillips embraced Lewis as a dear friend. She was credited with helping St. Jude’s founder Danny Thomas grow the hospital into a worldwide pediatric treatment and research facility.

“I told Sandy that my birthday would always be celebrated for St. Jude,” he said.

A photo of Lewis hangs in Phillips’ home. In fact, just about every wall in his two-story home is adorned with photos of his friends and St. Jude contributors. The photos are keepsakes, irreplaceable memories, he said.

Some rooms are named in honor of his friends – for example, the late rhythm and blues entertainer Rufus Thomas. His memories are framed in each photo and embody the man that Phillips had happily regarded as his good friend.

“Rufus was so happy. It [a room in his honor] meant so much to him,” said Phillips, recalling those special moments when the entertainer would come over and drift off to sleep on a soft, cushioned recliner.

Another friend and entertainer, the late Bobby Blue Bland, is featured prominently in another room. His eyes seem to glare at the onlooker. His wife, Willie Bland, said her husband appreciated the honor.

“He liked it,” she said. A private duty licensed practical nurse, Bland didn’t hesitate to lavish praise on Phillips. She appreciates their friendship. “Eugene has been a friend of ours for so many years.”

Bobby Blue Bland died in 2013. His voice wails from a recording that Phillips plays whenever he feels a need to relax in the room that he named in honor of his friend. Sitting quietly, he reflects on the good times.

 “When I’m here at home and all over the place, it’s good to have the memories,” said Phillips, noting that the memories will occupy his mind for the rest of his life.

Anita Ward-Richardson and Phillips were neighbors once. She remembers when Phillips first talked about supporting St. Jude. It was around the time when her million dollar selling, chart-topping single, “Ring My Bell,” caught fire in 1979.

She and her husband, Stephen R. Richardson, are frequent guests at Phillips’ birthday celebration each year. Her appreciation for Phillips is evident: “Eugene is such a wonderful person. He’s so kind.”

They came – couples and singles, near and far – to celebrate with Phillips, to fellowship with one another, to support a worthy cause: St. Jude’s children.

Several guests conversed with one another and shared stories. Phillips made them all feel at home. They made him feel special. He was a jovial host.

Zeina Alwfeu and Michael Fahr were present. So were Louisette and Dino Palazzola, Mimi Bell and Sonny McQueen, Doris and Bubba Bridges (comedian Steve Harvey’s mother-and father-in-law).

Other guests included Anita and James Bridges, Janelle and Reginald Eskridge, Gwen Nelson and Roosevelt Boyd, Sarah Schwab, Rick Abraham, Michael Donahue, Gina Roberts, and Dr. Gregory Hanissian.

Rahechelia and Elder Aaron L. Patterson made the trip all the way from Munford, Tenn., about 30 miles outside of Memphis. They have celebrated with Phillips for about four years now.

Giving the host his props, Patterson – who serves as minister of worship at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ and president of the missions department – said, “His dedication is unparalleled.”

He said the reason for the birthday celebration is to support St. Jude. “And we look forward to it each year.”

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.