- Black History Month 2026: Celebrating Voices in Sickle Cell Awareness

This Black History Month, Michelle’s House SCDAA-CT proudly joins the global sickle cell community in honoring public figures who have lived with Sickle Cell Disease, carried the trait, or used their platforms to advocate for awareness and change.

Throughout the month, we will highlight individuals whose resilience, creativity, and leadership have inspired millions. Their stories remind us that sickle cell warriors are innovators, artists, athletes, scholars, and changemakers — shaping history while navigating a complex health journey.

We invite our community to follow along as we spotlight these remarkable figures, celebrate their achievements, and continue raising awareness for sickle cell disease and the families we serve.

SPOTLIGHT 1: Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins

Member of TLC • Advocate • Author

Member of the iconic R&B group TLC. Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease as a child, T-Boz became one of the most visible and influential advocates for SCD awareness. Despite facing life-threatening complications, she built a legendary music career, inspired millions, and continues to speak openly about chronic pain, resilience, and the importance of education.

 SPOTLIGHT 2: Prodigy (Albert Johnson) — Rapper (Sickle Cell Disease)

Hip-Hop Legend • Author • Advocate

Prodigy lived with Sickle Cell Disease his entire life, often speaking openly about chronic pain, hospitalizations, and the emotional toll of SCD. As half of the iconic duo Mobb Deep, he shaped the sound of hip-hop while battling a condition that many misunderstood. His honesty helped bring visibility to the realities of SCD.

SPOTLIGHT 3: Miles Davis — Jazz Legend (Sickle Cell Trait)

Musical Pioneer • Cultural Icon • Innovator

Miles Davis, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, carried the sickle cell trait. While he did not have Sickle Cell Disease, his story is often uplifted in conversations about Black health, genetic awareness, and the importance of understanding family history. His brilliance reshaped jazz, and his legacy continues to inspire artists across generations.

SPOTLIGHT 4: Larenz Tate — Actor (Sickle Cell Trait)

Award-Winning Actor • Advocate • Community Educator

Larenz Tate, known for iconic roles in Love Jones, Power, and Menace II Society, carries the sickle cell trait and has used his platform to raise awareness about genetic testing and family health history. His advocacy encourages individuals — especially Black families — to learn their SCT status and make informed health decisions.

SPOTLIGHT 5: Ryan Clark — NFL Player (Sickle Cell Trait)

Super Bowl Champion • Analyst • SCT Awareness Advocate

Ryan Clark, a former NFL safety and Super Bowl champion, lives with the sickle cell trait. His widely publicized medical crisis after playing in Denver — where high altitude triggered severe complications — sparked national conversations about athlete safety, SCT awareness, and the need for better health protocols in sports. His advocacy continues to influence policy and education today.

SPOTLIGHT 6: Santonio Holmes — NFL Player (Sickle Cell Trait Advocate)

Super Bowl MVP • Father • Founder of the III & Long Foundation

Santonio Holmes does not live with SCD himself, but his son does — and that experience transformed him into a passionate advocate. Through the III & Long Foundation, he supports families affected by Sickle Cell Disease, raises awareness, and funds research. His work highlights the importance of community, education, and family-centered advocacy.

SPOTLIGHT 7: Tiki Barber — NFL Player (Sickle Cell Trait)

Former NFL Running Back • Broadcaster • SCT Awareness Supporter

Tiki Barber, a former New York Giants running back, carries the sickle cell trait and has spoken publicly about the importance of knowing one’s SCT status. His openness has helped normalize conversations about genetic testing, family health history, and the need for early education in communities disproportionately affected by SCD and SCT.

SPOTLIGHT 8: La La Anthony — Actress & Producer (Sickle Cell Trait)

Actress • Producer • SCT Awareness Advocate

La La Anthony has publicly shared that she carries the sickle cell trait, using her platform to encourage others to get tested and understand their genetic risk. Her advocacy helps break stigma, promotes early education, and empowers families to make informed health decisions.

SPOTLIGHT 9: Taye Diggs — Actor & Sickle Cell Advocate

Actor • Author • Awareness Supporter

Taye Diggs does not live with Sickle Cell Disease or carry the trait, but he has been a consistent supporter of SCD awareness campaigns. Through public events, interviews, and partnerships, he has helped amplify the importance of education, early testing, and community support — especially for families disproportionately affected by SCD

SPOTLIGHT 10: Akon — Artist & Producer (Sickle Cell Trait)

Global Artist • Philanthropist • SCT Awareness Advocate

Akon has publicly shared that he carries the sickle cell trait and has used his global platform to encourage awareness, testing, and education — especially in African communities where SCD and SCT are highly prevalent. His voice helps break stigma and promote early understanding of genetic health.

SPOTLIGHT 11: Queen Latifah — Actress, Rapper & Advocate (Family Connection to SCD)

Actress • Music Icon • Caregiver-Advocate

Queen Latifah has long supported Sickle Cell Disease awareness, inspired by her close family connection — her cousin lived with SCD. Through interviews, philanthropy, and public conversations, she has helped elevate the importance of research, compassion, and community support. Her voice brings visibility to the emotional and caregiving realities many families face.

SPOTLIGHT 12: Paul Williams — Singer, The Temptations (Sickle Cell Disease)

Motown Legend • Founding Member of The Temptations • SCD Warrior

Paul Williams, a founding member of The Temptations, lived with Sickle Cell Disease during a time when the condition was rarely discussed publicly. Despite chronic pain and limited medical understanding, he helped shape one of the most influential musical groups in history. His story reflects the resilience of early sickle cell warriors whose experiences paved the way for today’s advocacy.

SPOTLIGHT 13: Georgeanna Tillman — Motown Singer (Sickle Cell Disease)

Member of The Marvelettes • Motown Pioneer • SCD Warrior

Georgeanna Tillman, a member of the legendary Motown group The Marvelettes, lived with Sickle Cell Disease during an era when the condition was rarely acknowledged or understood. Despite facing chronic pain and limited treatment options, she contributed to the sound that defined a generation. Her story reflects the courage of early sickle cell warriors whose experiences paved the way for today’s advocacy and awareness.

SPOTLIGHT 14: Adekunle Gold — Afrobeats Star (Sickle Cell Disease)

Global Artist • SCD Warrior • Advocate for Hope

Adekunle Gold, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated Afrobeats artists, was born with Sickle Cell Disease. For years, he kept his diagnosis private while building a successful music career. In 2022, he publicly shared his journey in the song “5 Star,” revealing the pain crises, hospital visits, and emotional challenges he faced growing up. His openness has inspired millions across Africa and the diaspora, giving visibility to SCD in communities where stigma remains high.Adekunle Gold’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and courage — a reminder that sickle cell warriors continue to rise, thrive, and lead.

SPOTLIGHT 15: Beenie Man — Dancehall Legend (Sickle Cell Disease)

Global Artist • Cultural Icon • SCD Warrior

Beenie Man, one of the most influential figures in dancehall music, was born with Sickle Cell Disease. Throughout his childhood, he experienced severe pain crises and frequent hospitalizations — challenges he has spoken about openly in interviews. Despite these obstacles, he rose to international fame, shaping the sound of modern dancehall and inspiring millions with his resilience. His journey reflects the strength of sickle cell warriors who continue to thrive in the face of chronic illness, and his visibility has helped reduce stigma in communities where SCD is often misunderstood.

SPOTLIGHT 16: Billy Garrett Jr. — First NBA Player With Sickle Cell Disease

Professional Athlete • Trailblazer • SCD Advocate

Billy Garrett Jr. made history as the first person with Sickle Cell Disease to play in the NBA. Diagnosed at birth, he faced countless pain crises and hospitalizations throughout childhood. Doctors told him he would never play sports — yet he went on to become a Division I athlete at DePaul University, earn the Big East Sportsmanship Award, and sign with the New York Knicks. His journey is a testament to what sickle cell warriors can achieve when given support, opportunity, and belief. Garrett continues to advocate for SCD awareness, using his platform to inspire young athletes living with chronic illness.

SPOTLIGHT 17: Jourdan Dunn — Supermodel & Sickle Cell Advocate (Mother of a Child With SCD)

Supermodel • Mother • Global Advocate

Jourdan Dunn, one of the most recognizable supermodels of her generation, became an advocate for Sickle Cell Disease after her son, Riley, was diagnosed shortly after birth. She has used her global platform to raise awareness, speak openly about the challenges families face, and encourage early testing and education. Her voice has helped bring SCD into mainstream conversations in fashion, media, and international health spaces — reminding the world that sickle cell affects families from every background and every corner of the globe.

SPOTLIGHT 18: Carlos Boozer — NBA All-Star (Sickle Cell Trait)

NBA Champion • Olympian • SCT Awareness Supporter

Carlos Boozer, a two-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, carries the sickle cell trait. Throughout his career, he has spoken about the importance of understanding SCT, especially for athletes and families who may not realize they carry the gene. His openness helps normalize conversations about genetic testing, early education, and the role SCT plays in long-term health. Boozer’s story reinforces that knowing your SCT status is a powerful step toward informed decision-making and community awareness.

SPOTLIGHT 19: Dock Ellis — MLB Pitcher (Sickle Cell Trait)

MLB All-Star • Cultural Icon • SCT Awareness Figure

Dock Ellis, one of the most memorable pitchers in Major League Baseball history, carried the sickle cell trait. Known for his bold personality and fearless presence on the mound, Ellis played through an era when conversations about SCT were nearly nonexistent. His story is now used to highlight the importance of genetic awareness, athlete safety, and understanding how SCT can affect physical performance under extreme conditions. Ellis’s legacy extends far beyond baseball — he became a counselor, mentor, and advocate for marginalized communities, making his life’s work a powerful example of resilience and service.

SPOTLIGHT 20: Shondrella Avery — Actress & Long-Standing Sickle Cell Advocate

Actress • Board Member • Community Champion

Shondrella Avery, known for her roles in Napoleon Dynamite, The Secret Life of Bees, and End of Watch, has been one of the most consistent and passionate advocates for Sickle Cell Disease awareness in Hollywood. As a board member of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California, she has spent years supporting families, fundraising for research, and using her platform to amplify the voices of sickle cell warriors. Her advocacy is rooted in love for her family members living with SCD, and she continues to be a powerful force for education, compassion, and community support.

SPOTLIGHT 21: Donovan Peoples -Jones — NFL Player & Sickle Cell Advocate

NFL Wide Receiver • Community Supporter • Awareness Champion

Donovan Peoples-Jones has used his platform in the NFL to raise awareness for Sickle Cell Disease through the league’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. Each year, he selects SCD organizations to highlight, helping bring national visibility to the challenges faced by sickle cell warriors and their families. While he does not live with SCD or carry the trait, his advocacy reflects a deep commitment to health equity, community support, and amplifying the voices of those affected by the disease. His leadership shows how allies can use their influence to uplift the sickle cell community.