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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kier "Junior" Spates.
Best known for his role on The Steve Harvey Morning Show. The conversation focuses on Junior's personal battle with sickle cell disease, his nonprofit Keir's Hope Foundation, his podcast Living Your Life, and his mission to change perceptions about sickle cell through education, advocacy, and inspiration.
This interview is not just about success in entertainment. It is about overcoming a life-threatening diagnosis, refusing to accept limitations, and using personal experiences to create hope for others.
About Kier "Junior" Spates
Junior is known for:
- Co-hosting The Steve Harvey Morning Show
- Stand-up comedy
- Podcasting
- Philanthropic work
- Sickle cell advocacy
However, behind his public success is a lifelong battle with:
Sickle Cell Disease
A condition doctors diagnosed when he was seven years old.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview sought to:
- Raise awareness about sickle cell disease.
- Discuss J's Hope Foundation.
- Highlight healthcare inequalities faced by sickle cell patients.
- Inspire others to overcome adversity.
- Encourage people to pursue their purpose regardless of limitations.
- Share resources available to families affected by sickle cell.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Junior revealed that he was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at:
Seven Years Old
Doctors reportedly told his parents something devastating:
He may not live past age eleven.
For his family, the diagnosis was terrifying.
His childhood consisted of:
- Frequent hospital visits
- Pain episodes
- Medical treatments
- Uncertainty about the future
Despite this grim prediction, Junior refused to accept that sickle cell would define or limit his life.
Turning Pain Into Motivation
Instead of becoming discouraged, Junior used the prediction as motivation.
He made a personal decision:
"I wasn't going to let sickle cell determine how I lived."
He pursued activities many believed would be difficult for someone with his condition, including:
- Football
- Basketball
- Track and field
His goal was simple:
Prove that sickle cell could not stop his dreams.
When Ignorance Changed His Future
One of the most powerful moments in the interview involved his high school football career.
During his senior year, a team doctor learned he had sickle cell disease and immediately removed him from participation.
Junior explained that:
- Scholarships were on the line.
- He had invested years in the program.
- No evaluation was conducted.
- No accommodations were discussed.
The response was simply:
"Take him off the team."
This experience became a turning point.
A Promise to Himself
After losing that opportunity, Junior made a personal commitment:
"I would never let sickle cell take another dream from me."
That promise eventually led him to advocacy and nonprofit work.
Joining The Steve Harvey Morning Show
Junior's entertainment career expanded significantly after his connection with:
Steve Harvey
The relationship developed through stand-up comedy opportunities before eventually evolving into a position on:
The Steve Harvey Morning Show
Junior credits Steve Harvey and the show's leadership for teaching him:
- Business
- Branding
- Radio
- Professional development
The platform gave him a national audience and expanded his ability to advocate for sickle cell awareness.
The Birth of J's Hope Foundation
Around 2013, Junior realized he wanted to do more than simply discuss sickle cell.
He wanted to create measurable impact.
Thus he founded:
J's Hope Foundation
The foundation's mission centers on:
- Education
- Inspiration
- Advocacy
- Awareness
- Family support
Why He Started His Own Foundation
Before J's Hope, Junior worked with another organization.
Eventually he realized:
Their vision and his vision were different.
Rather than compromise his mission, he chose to create his own nonprofit.
Lesson
If your vision cannot be fulfilled within an existing structure, build your own.
The Real Goal: Change Perceptions
A major mission of J's Hope is changing how people think about sickle cell disease.
Junior believes many misconceptions continue to exist.
Common stereotypes include:
- Patients are incapable of living active lives.
- The disease only affects certain populations.
- Individuals with sickle cell cannot pursue ambitious goals.
His life's work challenges those beliefs.
Living Your Life Podcast
Junior expanded his advocacy through:
Living Your Life
A podcast focused on:
- Sickle cell awareness
- Medical education
- Mental health
- Patient experiences
- Community stories
- Inspirational examples
The podcast features:
- Medical experts
- Patients
- Advocates
- Nonprofit leaders
Its goal is to create a platform where people can learn while feeling supported.
A Global Issue, Not Just an American Issue
One myth Junior strongly challenged is the belief that sickle cell only affects African Americans.
He emphasized that the disease affects populations worldwide, including:
- Africa
- Europe
- Asia
- The Middle East
- The Caribbean
Key Message
Sickle cell is a global health challenge.
Different Types of Sickle Cell Disease
Junior explained that sickle cell disease is not identical for every patient.
Different forms include variations such as:
- Hemoglobin SC disease
- Hemoglobin SS disease
- Other forms of sickle cell-related disorders
While symptoms and severity can differ, many patients face common challenges including:
- Pain crises
- Hospitalizations
- Organ complications
- Mental health challenges
Fighting Medical Bias
Another major issue discussed was healthcare bias.
Junior described situations in which sickle cell patients arrive at hospitals in severe pain.
Instead of receiving immediate treatment, they may be unfairly viewed as:
Drug-seeking patients
This stigma can delay care and worsen outcomes.
One mission of the foundation is helping advocate for patients who face these situations.
"Working to Change the Shape of Sickle Cell"
The slogan behind J's Hope Foundation is:
"Working to Change the Shape of Sickle Cell."
The phrase refers not only to the disease itself but also to public perception.
The organization works to reshape:
- Awareness
- Education
- Treatment understanding
- Community support
National Recognition
Junior's advocacy has been recognized publicly.
One of his proudest accomplishments:
State of Texas Proclamation
Texas honored his efforts by creating:
J's Hope Sickle Cell Awareness Month
during June.
For Junior, the recognition was especially meaningful because his grandmother witnessed the honor.
Annual Runs and Awareness Events
J's Hope hosts fundraising and awareness events including:
Walks and Runs
The events accomplish several goals:
- Raise funds
- Increase awareness
- Build community support
- Share educational information
Junior plans to continue expanding these events into multiple cities.
Junior Claus Initiative
One of the foundation's most impactful programs is:
Junior Claus
This initiative supports families affected by sickle cell disease during the holiday season.
The program provides:
- Christmas gifts
- Family assistance
- Holiday experiences
- Emotional support
Junior understands personally how difficult the holidays can be for hospitalized children and families.
As a result, he focuses on bringing joy to families facing those challenges.
The Importance of Family Support
A significant point made during the interview:
Sickle cell affects more than the patient.
It affects:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Caregivers
- Entire households
Hospitalizations and treatments often create:
- Financial strain
- Emotional stress
- Time away from work
J's Hope seeks to support the entire family unit.
Advice for Future Nonprofit Leaders
When Rushion asked what advice he would give someone wanting to create a foundation, Junior offered a simple but powerful answer:
"Go do it."
He believes many people spend too much time planning and not enough time acting.
According to Junior, the two essentials are:
Empathy
Understanding others' struggles.
Motivation
The willingness to create change.
Memorable Quotes
Junior Spates
"I promised myself I would never let sickle cell take another dream from me."
"Your truth can be whatever you want it to be."
"We are working to change the shape of sickle cell."
"I wanted people to know their lives are not over."
"Go do it."
Rushion McDonald
"Your foundation is about motivation and inspiration."
"If your vision isn't being fulfilled, take control."
"You're changing the community."
Overall Message
Kier "Junior" Spates' story is one of resilience, purpose, and transformation. A childhood diagnosis that was expected to limit his future instead became the motivation that fueled it. Through J's Hope Foundation, Living Your Life, advocacy events, educational initiatives, and community engagement, Junior is helping reshape how people think about sickle cell disease. His journey demonstrates that adversity does not have to define a person. With faith, determination, education, and action, obstacles can become purpose, and personal challenges can become a platform for helping others.
#AMI
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