As you guys know, September housed a full whirlwind of events and speaking engagements for me, and the first was the beginning of several ‘pinch me’ moments!

The team at Methodist Le Bonheur Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, a preventive outpatient clinic and dedicated emergency infusion unit specifically for sickle cell patients, reached out to me several months ago, asking if I’d be interested in participating in this year’s fundraising event. Well, a little bit more than participate...host! What they didn’t know was that I’d long supported their organization as a participant in a past fundraiser, Mike Conley’s Annual Bowling Bash. The company I worked for back then was a headlining sponsor of the event, so I always went in efforts to bring awareness and have a great time bowling with my family!

We were lucky enough to meet Mike a few times (Davin even has a picture with him where people mistake Mike for his dad! LOL!). Mike was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Utah Jazz a few years ago and the team told me that they were looking for a new local “celebrity” to step in and fill his shoes. I was shocked! I truly don’t see myself as a celebrity. It’s a title I’m not used to AT ALL, but I’m more that happy to use whatever comes with it to help better my community in any way I can, so, of course, I told them yes with the quickness!

The event was INCREDIBLE!

It took place at the Memphis Dixon Gallery & Gardens and everyone showed up looking amazing and ready to have a great time! As host, I had the opportunity to interview Channel 24 news producer and sickle cell warrior Chris Ruffin, and together, we made the specialty cocktail that I was asked to curate for the event! Hence...Sips for Sickle Cell!

You can check out the full recipe for the night’s cocktail, the Thymeless 75, below. Overall, it was the best way to spend a Thursday night, sipping cocktails for a great cause! If you’d like to donate to the Methodist Sickle Cell Center and all the great work they’re doing to support the Memphis community, just click here!

Recipe// Thymeless 75

1.5 oz gin (I hiiiiiiighly recommend my favorite (and Memphis made) Old Dominick’s Gin

1 oz thyme infused simple syrup

1 oz lemon juice

Top with brut champagne

Cheers!