NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes, provided a special educational experience for the young ladies in the Lighting the Path for Girls Initiative. The young ladies are affectionately called Jewels. They attended a special presentation from Gloria McKissack, a member of the famous McKissack family.
They toured the home of one of the famous McKissack family members, Deberry McKissack, located at the corner of 15th and Edgehill. The house was built in 1912. The Jewels heard a special presentation from Lynn Jolly, an architect by training and now a Specification Specialist for architectural designs, who worked at the McKissack firm right out of college. She writes specifications that explains every detail of an architectural plan. In speaking to the Jewels she said, “I love what I do.” She was the first African American female to be a licensed architect in the state of Tennessee.
The 17th annual Literary Luncheon is the main fundraiser to support the Jewels, to participate in educational workshops like this one, as well as tours of HBCUs, visiting museums, and attending special events in Washington, D.C. “This experience was important for our Jewels to learn their history and consider career paths,” said Gloria McKissack.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18, for the 17th annual Nashville Chapter of Les Gemmes Literary Luncheon, held at the exceptional Music City Center beginning at 11:30 am.
This year’s event will feature highly-touted Reshonda Tate, author of the Queen of Sugar Hill, and 50 other books.
The theme is “Celebrating Our Stories…Empowering Our Future.” The mistress of ceremonies is WSMV’s (Channel 4) news reporter/anchor Danielle Ledbetter.
Entertainment includes Fisk Jubilee Singer alumni Kim Freeman and her band. Additionally, the African Drum Corp will open the program.
Vendors are a traditional part of the program and invited to participate. For vendor information, please call Rene’ Whittaker at 615-838-6164 or email mrenew45@gmail.com.
For information about sponsorship or ticket information, please visit the website https://www.lesgemmesnashville.org or visit https://www.eventbrite.com
