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Sheila Johnson to hold literary fundraiser for Mount Vernon City School District students

Sheila Johnson Fundraiser
Sheila Johnson to hold literary fundraiser for Mount Vernon City School District students

Sheila Johnson, the first Black woman to become a billionaire, a philanthropist and co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, will be signing books at Denzel Washington School of the Arts on Sunday, June 2, 2024, beginning at 1 p.m.

Community members will have an opportunity to meet Sheila Johnson during the book-signing, which is serving as a fundraiser for the Mount Vernon City School District. All funds raised will go towards extracurricular activities in the District. General admission tickets are $80, and guests will receive a bookplate signed book and admission to Ms. Johnson’s discussion. VIP tickets cost $100, and guests will be treated to a VIP reception, food and refreshments, a meet and greet with Ms. Johnson and a signed hardcover copy of her book in addition to all general admission perks.

Ms. Johnson, who also owns Salamander Hotels & Resorts, will discuss her novel “Walk Through Fire,” and share her inspiring life story. Attendees will each receive a signed copy of her book. The novel chronicles her success story, and the ups and downs that came along with that success. 

Throughout her career, she has been recognized with several awards, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill medal, a Lincoln Medal from Ford’s Theatre Society and the Order of Lincoln award, a highly esteemed honor given by the State of Illinois. She has also received the Billie Jean King Leadership Award from the Women’s Sports Foundation.

She has dedicated much of her life and wealth to philanthropy and is a global ambassador for the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE). Her “I Am Powerful” campaign raised over $7 million for the organization. She is chair of the Board of Governors of Parsons School of Design and donated $7 million to the school to open the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center.

Ms. Johnson sits on the boards of the Save the Music Foundation, Americans for the Arts, the School of Education and Human Development Foundation, and the University of Illinois Foundation. She is also the ambassador for the Healthy Site Institute and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Click here to buy tickets to the fundraiser.
 

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