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Perseverance: Kier "Junior" Spates is changing how we view people with Sickle Cell.
· 24 min
Episode Perseverance: Kier "Junior" Spates is changing how we view people with Sickle Cell.
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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…
Links in the notes 4
Transcript
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