KiKi Shepard’s 8th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge to Benefit The K.I.S. Foundation

Event/Story Coverage: Justin Mabrie (Ideal PR Media Correspondent)

James Pickens Jr. (Grey's Anatomy)

Friday, September 16^th , KiKi Shepard’s K.I.S. Foundation hosted the 8^th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge at PINZ Entertainment Center in Studio City, CA. The focus of the event was to raise awareness for sickle cell disease, and to benefit the K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. and the Dorothy H. Shepard Scholarship Fund.

Celebrity guests arrived individually, with partners and some with families.  The mood of the night was filled with great energy and laughter. All were excited to support Kiki Shepard and encourage sickle cell anemia awareness.  The event’s guest list included Wayne Brady, James Pickens Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy), Bill Bellamy, Harold Perrineau (Lost & The Best Man), Jackee’, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Obba Babatunde, Dawnn Lewis (A Different World), Chico Benymon (Half & Half), Kim Whitley, Michael Jai White (Why Did I Get Married), Mari Morrow, VH1 reality stars and others in the entertainment industry.

Justin Mabrie with Wayne Brady @ 8th Annual KIS event

When speaking with triple-threat Wayne Brady, he expressed the concern that, WE don’t know about this, WE don’t know that WE suffer from sickle cell. Not excusing his own lack of knowledge of the disease, he stated, I did not know WE suffered!  He has since done his research and was in full support to show up, bowl and raise awareness. Academy Award winner Jon Voight (father of Angelina Jolie) spoke on how beautiful it is was to see everyone come together and support.  He too enjoyed just being among his friends.  It was obvious that many shared that same feeling throughout the night.

Constance Reese

Also in attendance was Miss Black California, Constance Reese… she spoke of her personal testimony in relation to the sickle cell disease and appreciates, KiKi Shepard for taking such initiative to bring awareness.  Her mother has sickle cell anemia and has outlived her 12-year life expectancy along with having 2 children.  Quite a testimony!  Her platform is coincidently: Youth Awareness of Sickle Cell Anemia.  She believes, it’s important to not only get tested, but also get involved.

For more information regarding KiKi Shepard’s K.I.S. Foundation, you can visit: www.thekisfoundation.org

A very special thanks to  Lisa Humphrey of Premier Concepts PR

KiKi Shepard w/ Paizley Carwell 
(Sickle Cell Anemia survivor)