NASHVILLE, TN — Guests at this year’s Les Gemmes Inc., of Nashville Chapter’s Literary Luncheon will enjoy a celebration of literature and literacy, with the accent on our culture.
From a new novel about the legendary Hattie McDaniel, to the heritage of the Fisk Jubilee singers, to the dance traditions of Africa, this annual highlight of the social and philanthropic calendar will not disappoint.
It is no wonder, as this year’s Literary Luncheon is chaired by two of Nashville’s most dynamic figures in public service and literacy: Nashville Davidson County Register of Deeds Karen Johnson and veteran educator Dr. Candra C. Clariette. For them, it’s all about the Jewels.
“Our Jewels, a group of young women selected by the Nashville Chapter, are the heartbeat of this and every Literary Luncheon,” Johnson said. “Our Lighting the Path for Girls program thrives because Nashville comes together to support this event.”
Dr. Clariette, a nationally recognized leader in literacy-based learning, stressed the impact on these young women: “Our Jewels not only enjoy scholarships, but they receive invaluable cultural experiences where the lessons of the classroom come alive.
“They have toured the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Muhammad Ali Museum in Kentucky, and the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, and attended the March on Washington – all made possible by the Literary Luncheon and some special sponsors.
This year’s guests will not only get the satisfaction of knowing they make these experiences possible; they will be served up a program filled with storytelling and song that celebrates African American culture. The theme is Celebrating Our Stories, Empowering Our Future.
Headlining will be best-selling author ReShonda Tate, whose latest novel, The Queen of Sugar Hill, tells the story of the great Hattie McDaniel, the first Black to win an Oscar. There was little triumph in the statuette for her, as Blacks shunned her for playing the enslaved heroine Mammy in Gone With the Wind, and the White film industry stereotyped her, relegating her to the perennial role of maid. Still, she persisted, standing tall on behalf of Black entertainers and for equal housing opportunities.
The Queen of Sugar Hill is just the latest in a long list of books penned by Tate, including the popular, Let the Church Say Amen, The Stolen Daughter and others.
Entertaining the Literary Luncheon guests will be Grammy-nominated musical artist Kimberly Fleming, a former Fisk Jubilee Singer, and the Friends of Fisk singing group, made up of former members of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. Nashville’s 2024 Poet Laureate, Jadyn Marshall, will share her spoken word, and the Sankofa African Dance Group will also take the stage.
Mistress of Ceremonies will be Danielle Ledbetter, weekend anchor/reporter for WSMV4.
Putting the event together has been a months-long endeavor for Register Johnson and Dr. Clariette, both known as motivated leaders in the Nashville community and beyond.
In 2018, Register Johnson became the first woman and the first Black elected to lead the Register of Deeds Office. It has been the capstone of a career in both the corporate and public service sectors.
“As a young mother raising two little boys, going to TSU and getting an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University, then finding my way in the corporate world, in my heart, I was always driven by public service,” she recalls. “When I wasn’t working for Shoney’s Inc., or HCA, I was a vocal leader in our school PTAs and our neighborhood association, and somehow, I caught the attention of Mayor Bill Purcell.”
He named Karen to the Metro Boards of Zoning Appeals and Parks & Recreation. A few years later, she was elected to the Metro School Board, then twice elected as a Metro District Council Member before winning the countywide Register of Deeds position. She still has found time for civic service in organizations such as Rotary, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., 100 Black Women-Metro Nashville, boards of Sister Cities of Nashville and Friends of Fort Negley Park and more. She also is a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she is in the Usher Ministry.
Dr. Clariette has served the students, teachers, and parents of Metro Nashville Public Schools for nearly 20 years as a teacher, literacy specialist, and instructional coach. She holds degrees in Speech Communication and Education Administration from Tennessee State University. Dr. Clariette completed her doctoral degree in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University.
“I am a third-generation educator with an abiding passion for literacy and the power that the written word can bring to young lives,” she said. “I have been fortunate to have a national platform as a contributor to Education Week magazine and a presenter at education conferences such as ACT and NABSE (National Alliance of Black School Educators).”
Dr. Clariette also has held board seats for the Metropolitan Teachers Credit Union, the Nashville Northwest YMCA, and the Tennessee Education Association. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and St. Luke CME Church.
The 17th Annual Les Gemmes Inc., Nashville Literary Luncheon, will be held from 11 am-1 pm, May 18 at Music City Center, Davidson Ballroom, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville.
For tickets, visit Eventbrite.com, and search keywords: Les Gemmes Nashville.
Les Gemmes Inc. is a women’s group founded in 1955 by HBCU educators committed to opening opportunities for women and girls.