Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 2-21-17

A Moment In Black History
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imagina- tions.”
Dr. Mae Jemison, first African American female astronaut.
Local
Lillette’s Alzheimer’s And Arts Foundation Sponsors Benefit Concert
An organization founded in 2005 as Lillette’s Founda- tion for the Arts, blossomed into, Lillette’s Alzheimer’s and Arts Foundation (a 501c3 organization) in 2016 to include Alzheimer’s Aware- ness.
The organization will be hosting a benefit concert, din- ner and dance on Sunday, February 26, 2017. The 5 p. m. event will be held at Ft. Harrison Hotel, 210 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., in Clearwater.
Recently, Lillette Harris (now known as Lillette Jenkins-Wisner), founder of the organization, was diag- nosed with Alzheimer’s. Pro- ceeds from the benefit concert, a tribute to Lillette and her music, will benefit the foundation. A Black His- tory program will also be a part of the celebration, fea- turing performances by Au’Niece, Dana Merri- wether and Jade Sim- mons.
Mrs. Jenkins-Wisner,
an internationally renowned concert pianist and vocalist, began her career at the age of 6 in her hometown of New York City. Initially, she was trained as a classical musi- cian, but developed a strong interest in gospel, ragtime and jazz.
In addition to her studies from New York University, she has studied at the New York College of Music and the Westminister Choir College in Princeton, NJ.
She is the widow of former engineer and entrepreneur,
LILLETTE JENKINS- WISNER ...Queen of the Keys
Elbert Wisner and matri- arch of 5 generations.
In the 1940s, she and her then actor-comedian hus- band, Bud Harris were African-American royalty in an era of segregation and dis- crimination against Blacks in entertainment. Their estab- lishment, Lillette’s Rhythm Club, was the first African- American-owned casino, nightclub and hotel in Reno- Sparks, Nevada. That was 1945. The establishment was frequented by some of the biggest names in the enter- tainment business.
When the Foundation for the Arts was established, Mrs. Jenkins-Wisner wanted to give back to the community. At that time arts programs throughout the country were losing funding. She started the organization to assist students interested in music to provide opportu- nities for young performing artists to obtain scholarships.
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