Memphis Powerhouses Wilfred Busby and Tyrone Burroughs to be Honored at St. Jude Spirit of the Dream

Celebrating a decade of impact, the annual gala will honor two champions of equity, leadership, and community empowerment

The St. Jude Spirit of the Dream Gala presented by W&T Contracting Corporation, today announced that community leaders Wilfred Busby and Tyrone Burroughs will be honored with the Legacy Award and Spirit of the Dream Award at its annual dinner on Saturday, September 20.

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Wilfred Busby to Receive Legacy Award at St. Jude Spirit of the Dream Gala.

Now in its 10^th year, the Spirit of the Dream honors individuals whose lives and legacies reflect the founding vision of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® that no child should die in the dawn of life, regardless of race, background, or financial status.

LEGACY AWARD

Recognizes a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or ALSAC team member who demonstrates exemplary commitment to the legacy of St. Jude by encompassing the true spirit of caring for people.

Wilfred Busby, Visionary People Leader and Culture Champion: Busby is the Senior Fellow of Employee Experience for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he is leading efforts to establish an Office of Executive Coaching and Leadership Assimilation. He is an expert in employee experience, having overseen teams working on recruitment, workforce planning, employee relations, and internal communications. With over 30 years of leadership experience at major companies including FedEx, ServiceMaster, APL Logistics, and Mimeo.com, Busby has deep expertise in executive leadership development, operations management, and organizational strategy. Busby received his Level II Certification in Executive Coaching and Leadership and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Crichton College and an Executive MBA from the University of Memphis. He is a graduate of the Leadership Memphis Executive Program, a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, and has mentored students through the Memphis Institute for Leadership Education (MILE) program at the University of Memphis. He led the Young Men’s ministry at the Greater Pleasant Hill MB Church, focusing on life skills, job training, and youth development, and served on the Board of Directors for Green Dot Public Schools of Tennessee and the Board of LeMoyne-Owen College. His vision has shaped talent development and organizational culture at ALSAC and beyond.

SPIRIT OF THE DREAM

Honoring a person or institution embodying the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its founder, Danny Thomas.

Tyrone Burroughs, Visionary Entrepreneur, Transformational Leader, and Philanthropic Trailblazer: Burroughs is the founder, President, and CEO of global consumer products management firm First Choice Sales & Marketing Company. A dynamic entrepreneur and influential philanthropist, Burroughs has built a business empire rooted in innovation, empowerment and community impact. His influence spans industries and institutions from consumer goods to education, banking, and civic leadership. Beyond business, Burroughs is a dedicated civic leader and advocate for educational equity. His philanthropic contributions led to the renaming of the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Benedict College, honoring his commitment to empowering future generations of business leaders. He serves on numerous influential boards, including the St. Jude Memphis African American Engagement Council, the Memphis NAACP Branch Board of Directors, the Greater Memphis Chamber – Chairman’s Circle, and the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank – Memphis Branch. He was a 2021 inductee in The Society of Entrepreneurs. Burroughs is widely celebrated for his ability to drive breakthrough results, foster inclusive economic opportunities, and inspire transformative changes across sectors.

Guests will enjoy a special live performance by 10-time Grammy award-winning vocal group Take 6, along with a culinary experience curated by acclaimed Memphis-based chef Phillip Dewayne.

Held during Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Children’s Cancer Awareness Month, the gala will also spotlight pioneering research and treatment by St. Jude for sickle cell disease, a condition that disproportionately affects African Americans.

Over the past decade, the St. Jude Spirit of the Dream Gala has honored Memphis luminaries such as artist Derek Fordjour, NBA coach Lionel Hollins, civic leader A.C. Wharton Jr., entrepreneur Carolyn Chism Hardy, and artist Peter Woods, each recognized for their contributions to equity, culture, and progress.

Proceeds help ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.

To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or learn more, visit stjude.org/spiritofthedream.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.^® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

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