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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.
 

Dr. Strickland outlines 'Excellence by Design' priorities for the new school year
Dr. Strickland outlines 'Excellence by Design' priorities for the new school year

Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland is putting literacy, attendance and student voice among the district’s top priorities for the new school year, while rolling out new technology, expanding access for families and pledging continued transparency about district finances. Dr. Strickland laid out those priorities in his Aug. 25 Superintendent’s Report, describing a districtwide effort to strengthen instruction and the systems that support students. The work is being framed by a new theme, “Excellence by Design,” which he said reflects a deliberate approach to improvement.

Three women stand behind a table with baby manikins in the foreground, while a colorful bulletin board is visible in the background.
Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors trained in CPR, first aid and AED response

Thirty-eight Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors returned to school this week with an important new set of skills: the ability to respond when a child or adult faces a potentially life-threatening emergency. The monitors, along with two Central Office staff members, were trained Wednesday in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and the use of an automated external defibrillator during the District’s first Superintendent’s Conference Day of the 2026-27 school year.

 

A server in an apron offers a sample of food to a woman wearing a lei, while a cafeteria setting with other people is visible in the background.
MVCSD food service staff get a taste of year ahead during professional development retreat

Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors, head chefs, managers and other food service workers kicked off the new school year with their annual professional development retreat, which served up valuable training, teamwork and a taste of what’s ahead for 2026-27. Staff members from Sodexo – the District’s K-12 food services provide -- gathered at Mount Vernon High School for the various activities, including food tasting, as they prepared to welcome students back from summer vacation. The annual professional development sessions help employees review procedures and regulations while strengthening the teamwork necessary to provide exceptional service to students.

Mount Vernon's Jewel Box
Mount Vernon's Jewel Box - Welcome Back to School!

Welcome back to school! This week, The Mount Vernon City School District greeted students and staff with warm smiles for another exciting school year. Teachers quickly began diving into curriculum, starting off the academic year strong. You can also view Mount Vernon’s Jewel Box on our Facebook, Instagram or YouTube! #ExcellencebyDesign