A “Live Like A Champion” Drive-By Celebration has been set to observe the 90th birthday of Memphis pharmacist and master compounder Dr. Charles A. Champion.
Hosted by his family, the commemoration will be Aug. 22 at Champion’s Pharmacy and Herb Store, 2369 Elvis Presley Blvd., from 5 p.m. – to 7 p.m.
The community is invited to “get in their vehicles to come show some love to a man who has been attending to the health and wellness of others for over 60 years.”
As participants drive southbound on Elvis Presley Blvd., they will be able to see the new mobile store that will take the Champion’s signature products and other to neighborhoods, small towns and rural areas who desire holistic medicine.
“My father has made serving this community and developing products that promote healing with natural ingredients his life’s work. Hundreds of people have testimonies about how he helped them through recommending the proper herbs and medicines or giving them sage advice,” said Carol Champion.
“We want all those who can to come shower him with love during the drive-by celebration and see how our family will continue to be a blessing to others through our new Herbs On Wheels mobile store.”
Dr. Champion, a 1955 graduate of Xavier University College of Pharmacy, was drafted into the U.S. Army shortly after obtaining his degree. He served as a pharmacist in Germany during a two-year tour of duty. Back in Memphis, he began working at John Gaston Hospital’s pharmacy, solidifying his place in history as the first African-American pharmacist to work in a Memphis hospital.
After 12 years at John Gaston, Dr. Champion took a job at Katz Drug Store and became the first African-American pharmacist hired by a chain in the city.
Champion’s Pharmacy and Herb Store is a family business that was established by Dr. Champion and his wife, Carolyn in 1981. Since then, two of his daughters, Carol Champion (also known as Cookie) and Charita Champion, have also become pharmacists. Their late daughter, Chandra Champion, served as a pharmacy tech and now Chandra’s daughter, Jessica Champion, assists with business operations. The Champion’s private label line of products, which they compound themselves, treat over 30 common.
(For more information about the “Live Like A Champion” Drive-By Celebration, email championherbstore@gmail.com. For more about Champion’s Pharmacy and Herb Store, visit www.championsherbstore.com.)
