On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Mr. Chris Okoye ‘14, Catholic Central’s Director of Community Outreach and Student Engagement and B.A.S.E. Moderator, joined several student members of B.A.S.E. (Black Awareness Society For Education) at the 2025 Annual Sickle Cell Matters Walk. 

The event, hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Michigan Chapter at the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit, brought together community leaders, healthcare professionals, families, and advocates to raise awareness for sickle cell disease.

Themed “Boots on the Ground for Sickle Cell Disease,” the event brought together community leaders, healthcare professionals, families, and advocates to raise awareness for sickle cell disease. Mr. Okoye and B.A.S.E. members Will Patterson ‘26 and Tyson Washington 24’ contributed by assisting with setup, registering participants, and then walking alongside hundreds of attendees in support of the cause.

Highlights of the day included:

• Special Guests & Leaders: Michigan’s Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II served as honorary co-chair and helped unveil Michigan’s first-ever specialty fundraising license plate for sickle cell awareness, making Michigan only the fourth state in the nation to do so.
• Community Resources: Healthcare organizations and partners shared resources and support for families affected by sickle cell disease.
• Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Activities and contests energized the day, with awards for best T-shirt, most funds raised, best sign design, and most preregistered walkers.
• Fundraising & Awareness: Teams and individuals raised money to fund research, increase awareness, and support vital services for those impacted by sickle cell.

Mr. Okoye shared his pride in the students’ involvement, stating, “Our students displayed selflessness, discipline, and intentionality by showing up early on a Saturday morning to contribute to a cause bigger than themselves. From physical labor during setup to engaging with the community and walking in solidarity, they embodied our school’s commitment to Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.”

“As I often say, ‘It’s GDK Day every day.’ This event was a powerful example of our young men putting those words into action through service and leadership,” Okoye continued.

For B.A.S.E., the event was a meaningful way to live out its mission of promoting unity, racial understanding, and enrichment. Through education, brotherhood, service, and celebrating diversity, the group empowers Catholic Central students to lead both on campus and in the broader Detroit community.

For more information on B.A.S.E., as well as other student organizations at Catholic Central, please visit www.catholiccentral.net/student-life/clubs.