Celebrating Black History Month
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was founded on principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Since 1962, our stories have reflected founder Danny Thomas’ decree that St. Jude “love and care for our neighbor, regardless of color or creed.”

February 06, 2023 • 1 min
Stories
-
Making History at St. Jude: Dr. Rudolph Jackson
When St. Jude opened in 1962, Danny Thomas vowed the hospital would treat patients regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. In 1968, Dr. Rudolph Jackson became one of the first Black doctors at St. Jude.
-
Paul Williams: Architect to Stars and St. Jude
Paul Williams, an African-American architect who made his name designing homes for stars like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, donated his services to help his friend Danny Thomas build St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
-
Spurred by the mission and inspired by a trailblazer, Mississippi doctor gives to support St. Jude
As Dr. Rayford learned more about St. Jude — how it had opened as an inclusive hospital in 1962 at the height of civil rights strife in the South and welcomed children regardless of race, and how it employed and promoted doctors, scientists and staff of color, as well — Rayford knew this was a cause that deserved his support.
-
St. Jude is "the right place at the right time" for brain cancer patient Von
First-person essay by Von's mom describes their journey to "the right place at the right time," St. Jude.
-
Through past and present, the Spence family holds strong ties with St. Jude
Robert Spence found a sense of mission and equality at St. Jude. Decades later, his niece found life-saving treatment, and his son, a career.
-
Dr. Esther Obeng: At home in her lab at St. Jude
Dr. Obeng's parents instilled in her a value for education, and she's putting it to use treating patients and researching new therapies and cures.
-
Art Imitates Life: How One Woman Draws Inspiration From Illness
Fashion designer and illustrator Kris Keys first learned to love painting as a child in a hospital bed. After traveling the globe, Kris still gets inspiration from the blood disorder that’s been with her since she was born.
-
Rev. Melvin Smith: 'Another Side of Humanity'
As the segregationist laws of the 1950s and ‘60s kept African Americans from advancing socially and professionally, St. Jude offered a safe environment where equality was the order of the day.
-
St. Jude continues to chart progress in how to understand and treat sickle cell disease
Pioneering work in St. Jude labs provides "promising" path to a cure using gene editing.
-
Washington, D.C. donor after St. Jude visit: you had me at hello
Here is Corey Briscoe, in his own words, talking about the bond between St. Jude and his company, the power of African American philanthropy, and why there’s more to business than the traditional bottom line.
-
‘Always the First:’ Early St. Jude nurse helped pioneer sickle cell disease research
Maurice Walton Tate forged a path for others, driven by the tragic loss of her daughter before St. Jude opened.
-
Sigma Gamma Rho 'ambassador' Sandra Aguilar lives her values for St. Jude
Her sorority, a longtime supporter of the mission, pledges to raise $1 million this year.
-
Faith over fear: gospel singer encourages St. Jude families to never give up
As a St. Jude Ambassador, gospel singer Evvie McKinney draws on her faith to inspire others.
-
St. Jude inspires NBA legend Penny Hardaway to do more
Hometown hero calls on others to join the cause of saving kids’ lives
Videos
-
Jason Farmer: Giving back to St. Jude
Jason Farmer, a volunteer and long-time supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, talks about his family's participation in the nutrition and wellness program at the research hospital when he was a child growing up in an impoverished Memphis neighborhood during the civil rights era.
-
Quincy: Finding healing at St. Jude
Quincy was treated at St. Jude for Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer. He hopes to return to St. Jude one day — as a surgeon helping other kids.
-
Techniq: Streaming for St. Jude
Along with the purpose he found at St. Jude, Frank Ellerbe — known to his fans on Twitch as Techniq — gained perspective. He found it in the smiles of the children treated here.
-
Imani Brown: Daring to make a difference
Her mother’s act of daring in the face of injustice — and her mother's death from cancer — inspires Imani to raise the funds and awareness needed to help cure childhood cancer.
-
Damon Willis: Following lessons from mom
When Damon Willis was a kid, his mother was a nurse at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and he still remembers her coming home from work and telling her children about the young patients she cared for.
-
Inspired Questions: MAJOR.
Mega-positive recording artist MAJOR. spills the tea on his upcoming wedding and talks about giving back to his village.
-
Inspired Questions: Titus Showers, Q Parker and Lamman Rucker
Titus Showers, Q Parker and Lamman Rucker come together for St. Jude, but differ wildly in their opinions on almost everything else.
