(June 5, 2024) Morristown, NJ — Hundreds came from near and far to pack Concert Hall at Drew
University for a fireside chat and book reception with Sunny Hostin, 3x Emmy Award Winning
co-host of ABC’s The View and New York Times Best-Selling Author. The program, held on
Sunday, June 2, was a fundraiser sponsored by the Pearls of Wisdom Foundation of Morristown,
NJ and chaired by member Shannon Simon and vice chair Latee Walton-McLeod.
Emmy Award Winning Producer and Former Producer of The View, Candi Carter, moderated the
event. Carter and Hostin opened the chat with some fun memories of their times together at The
View and expressed their continued friendship.
Hostin read chapters from her newly released book Summer On Highland Beach. Keeping
listeners hanging on every word as she took the audience on a journey through the life of the
main character Olivia. Hostin expressed that the idea for her book trilogy came from her
experiences through the years visiting historically Black beach communities. “We wanted to host
a program that would be engaging, enriching and attract the community”, stated Reba Blake,
President of Pearls of Wisdom. “We have a relationship with Ms. Hostin and thought her new
book would be a great fundraiser”.
During the fireside chat, the audience asked questions about Hostin’s character development
process, research, plot twists, and more. Hostin answered every question ending the chat with a
standing ovation. She then signed each guest’s book taking time to pose for photos.
“This is our first fundraiser of the year, and we are so pleased with the turnout. Tickets went
quickly, and the event was sold out days ago”, expressed Shannon Simon, Fundraising
Chairman. “The money raised for the event will go towards scholarships. Pearls of Wisdom
Foundation, Inc. has given out over $300,000.00 in scholarships for students. Over the next few
weeks we will award over $20,000.00 to students going off to college in the fall of 2024.”
About Pearls of Wisdom Foundation
The Pearls of Wisdom Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization established for educational
and charitable purposes. The Foundation provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled undergraduate HBCU students seeking to attain higher education. Pearls of Wisdom Foundation has served the Greater Morris Community, by providing leadership and utilizing creative programs, building awareness, advocacy, action, and collaborative partnerships to enhance the lives of people in the community.
