We're thrilled to partner with Solid State Books to bring an exciting conversation to the MLK Library. You can learn more about Sheila's journey and her recent book while she's in conversati on with Jamise Harper. The audience will have the opportu nity to ask questions and get a copy of the book signed. \;
\n
For reasonable accommoda tions\, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCP Laccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation\, please allow at least seven (7) days notice.
\n\n\n
About the Author
\nSheila Johnson \;is an American entrepreneur and philanthro pist\, cofounder of BET\, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels &\; Reso rts\, and the only African American woman to have a principal shareholder stake in three professional sports teams.
\nAbout The Book
\nT he cofounder of BET and first African American woman billionaire shares he r deeply personal journey through love and loss\, tragedy and triumph&mdas h\;an inspiring story of overcoming toxic influences\, discovering her tru e self\, and at last finding happiness in her work and life.
\nFrom humble beginnings as a schoolgirl and young violinist in Maywood\, Illinoi s\, Sheila Johnson rose to become one of the most accomplished businesswom en in America. A cofounder of Black Entertainment Television\, she became an entrepreneur and philanthropist at the highest levels.
\nBut that success came at a painful personal cost.
\nSheila grew up in a midd le-class family that encouraged her love of the arts and music. But her id yllic childhood ended at age sixteen when her beloved father announced he was leaving for another woman\, an act that shattered her mother and destr oyed Sheila&rsquo\;s trust. She vowed she&rsquo\;d never be in her mother& rsquo\;s position&mdash\;dependent on a man for her sense of self-worth an d for financial security. Yet when she was barely out of her teens\, Sheil a married a man who would take her right down that same unfortunate path.< /p>\n
Filled with sharply drawn\, emotionally powerful scenes\, \;Wa lk Through Fire \;traces the hardships Sheila faced in her marriage an d her professional life. Despite her skills as a violinist and music teach er\, as well as her obvious entrepreneurial talent\, she had to fight to o vercome self-doubt and fears of failure. Sheila vividly details her strugg les\, including battling institutional racism\, losing a child\, suffering emotional abuse in her thirty-three-year marriage\, and plunging into a d eep depression with her divorce. And yet\, out of that pain came renewed p urpose and meaning. In the third act of her life\, Sheila Johnson has not only made her mark as the founder of Salamander Hotels &\; Resorts and the only Black female co-owner of three professional sports teams\, she ha s also\, finally\, found true love.
\nWalk Through Fire \;is a u niquely American success story. And it is the deeply personal portrait of one woman who\, despite heartache and obstacles\, finally found herself an d her place in the world.
\n
J
amise Harper is the creator of the#diversepines hashtag and the D
iverse Spines®\; book community which highlights literature by Black wo
men and women of color. She is the co-author (with Jane Mount) of Biblioph
ile: Diverse Spines\, a richly illustrated and vastly inclusive collection
that uplifts the works of authors who are often underrepresented in the l
iterary world. Jamise is also the founder of Spines &\; Vines®\;\, a
social media platform dedicated to enhancing reading experiences with cur
ated book and wine pairings. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
\, Inc.\, and lives in the Washington\, DC metro area.
\;
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\nhttps:/ /dclibrary.libnet.info/event/9264552 URL;VALUE=URI:https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/9264552 ATTACH:https://static.libnet.info/images/events/dclibrary/Walk_Through_Fir e_cvr.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR