Event promotes African American literature and awards scholarships to students
What does it take to find happiness? Medical and diet expert Dr. Ian Smith will share tips as he discusses his latest book, Happy, at The Delta Memorial Endowment Fund’s (DMEF) 35th Annual Literary Luncheon. The event takes place on Saturday, April 23 at11:30 a.m. at the Italian Conference Center , 631 E. Chicago Street in Milwaukee . DMEF is the non-profit corporation of the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Literary Luncheon is DMEF’s signature fundraising event. Tickets are $50 per person.
The Literary Luncheon is the brainchild of Dorothy Nelle Sanders, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and one of DMEF’s founders. Its goal is to increase public interest and knowledge of literary works by African American authors and raise money for college scholarships that are awarded to students during the luncheon.
Dr. Smith has served as the medical/diet expert for six seasons on VH1’s highlyrated “Celebrity Fit Club,” the creator and founder of The 50 Million Pound Challenge and a medical contributor on the nationally syndicated television show “Rachael Ray.” Dr. Smith also hosts his own nationally syndicated radio show “HealthWatch” on American Urban Radio Networks.
In the literary realm, Dr. Smith is the author of eight books. In his latest book, Happy, Dr. Smith reveals the sometimes surprising secrets of enduring happiness: one doesn’t have to overhaul his or her life to change its tone. Simple steps today can start one on the path to a personal high-water mark of positive feelings.
More than $165,000 has been raised for student scholarships and charitable contributions since DMEF’s inception. Featured authors at the Literary Luncheon have included Maya Angelou, Daisy Bates, the late Octavia Butler, Nikki Giovanni, Fannie Lou Hamer, Toni Morrison, Alice E. Walker, the late E. Lynn Harris, Wallace Terry, Victoria Christopher Murray, Denise Nicholas, Patricia Haley, Pearl Cleage and Jeff Johnson.
The Literary Luncheon also features the next generation through its Literary Write-Off competition, a thematic essay contest that asks students to write about a current event.
To learn more about the Delta Memorial Endowment Fund’s upcoming Literary Luncheon or to purchase tickets, call (414) 297-9790. There will be no onsite ticket sales.
