St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and hip-hop icon Sandra “Pepa” Denton hosted Rhythm & Kicks, an intimate Hollywood Hills event that blended sneaker culture, music, and philanthropy to raise awareness for sickle cell disease—a condition that disproportionately impacts the Black community.
Held in the lead-up to World Sickle Cell Day (June 19), the event was a key moment in St. Jude’s spring campaign season, designed to foster generational giving and engage a new wave of Millennial parents and advocates. Pepa’s powerful presence helped spotlight the critical importance of continued research and care, reminding attendees that at St. Jude, families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food—because the only thing they should have to focus on is helping their child live.
The evening brought together an impressive mix of cultural icons and supporters. Guests enjoyed electrifying live performances from Gogo Morrow, MAJOR., and Trevor Jackson, along with a soul-stirring spoken word piece by St. Jude patient and survivor, Sabrina. A curated sneaker showcase, gourmet bites, and a lively silent auction created a one-of-a-kind experience rooted in both style and substance. The guest list included hip-hop pioneer DJ Spinderella, actor Christopher Reid (“Kid” of Kid n Play), recording artist Elijah Blake, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Nija, and other influencers and leaders across music and sneaker culture—all united by a shared commitment to purpose.
The night also served as a reminder of St. Jude’s global mission. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the U.S. childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. Yet, around the world, only about 1 in 5 children with cancer survive. That’s why St. Jude is working to make lifesaving treatments available to more children in more places—because where a child lives shouldn’t determine whether they live. Amplifying the evening’s impact, brand integration platform Systm made a generous $10,000 donation to support the hospital’s work and legacy. Rhythm & Kicks wasn’t just a celebration of culture—it was a night of action, advocacy, and awareness, proving that when music, mission, and community come together, real change can begin. Continue to support the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® by donating HERE.
