In honor of World Lupus Day, celebrated annually on May 10, here are a few stars within the Black community, who have shared their journey with the life-long, autoimmune disease. 

Almost 12 years ago, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Toni Braxton revealed to the world her battle with lupus after learning of her diagnosis in 2008. According to Billboard, she shared the news while accepting the Women in Achievement Award at the eighth Annual Lupus LA Bag Ladies Luncheon.

In an appearance on Dr. Phil in 2018, the 54-year-old singer opened up about how lupus affects her every day. Braxton said she recalls being shamed for her sickness but now, she shares her story humbly, with hopes it’ll help others who also struggle with the disease. 

Among those who’ve publicly expressed concern and support for Braxton in the past is fellow entertainer, Nick Cannon, who, like Braxton, didn’t know much about the disease until his diagnosis in 2012. 

In a March 2012 sit down chat with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, Cannon explained how shocking it was to receive the news, especially considering the healthy lifestyle he always tried to follow. 

He later told the Huffington Post, “[Y]ou realize that this is something that you can live with and actually overcome with the proper research and with the proper support system.” 

Though British singer-songwriter Seal doesn’t speak much on his lupus journey since diagnosed at the age of 23, the scars on his face may tell help tell the story for him. 

Speaking to the The New York Times in 1996 about the disease among other life struggles, the “Kiss from a Rose” singer emphasized the power of channeling art and music as means of coping with pain.

“I believe that in all forms of art there has to have been some initial adversity: that is what makes art, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

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