Inspirational African-American author Cupcake Brown will visit the University of East London (UEL) Stratford campus on Monday 10 March to tell her amazing real-life story as part of UEL’s International Women’s Day celebrations. 

Cupcake will read from her New York Times best-selling autobiography ‘A Piece of Cake’, the brutally frank and startlingly funny memoir of her roller-coaster ride of a life. The event is sponsored by East Thames Group and organised by Well Placed Consultancy.
At age eleven, Cupcake was orphaned and placed in the ‘care’ of sadistic foster parents. Her life rapidly descended into a nightmare of prostitution, violence, and drug and alcohol addiction.

After a particularly horrific crack cocaine binge, Cupcake found the courage and determination to turn her life around. She started studying, won a place at the San Fransisco School of Law, and ended up working as an attorney at one of America’s largest law firms.

Marsha John, Diversity Manager at East Thames Group, said: “Cupcake Brown is an inspirational woman, and we are delighted to work with the University of East London to present this exciting event.
“Like UEL, we aim to make a positive and lasting contribution to the neighbourhoods in which we work, and I’m sure that Cupcake’s talk will provide a tremendous source of hope and inspiration for everyone present.” Mia Morris, Director of Well Placed Consultancy, added: “’A Piece of Cake’ is such a fabulous book that we were absolutely determined to organise a UK tour. This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear first-hand from someone who has succeeded in dramatically transforming her life.”
Cupcake Brown will share her inspirational true story at UEL’s Stratford campus from 5-7pm on Monday 10 March. Her reading will be followed by a chaired discussion and Q&A session.
All are welcome and admission is free. For further details, visit www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries, or contact Franc Gooding on 020 8223 2884 or f.gooding@uel.ac.uk.

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community, with 20,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of our diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.  www.uel.ac.uk
East Thames is a registered social landlord and registered charity, and is a company limited by guarantee.  Its mission is ‘to make a positive and lasting contribution to the neighbourhoods in which we work’.  With its three operating subsidiaries – East Homes, East Potential and East Living – East Thames is the largest housing association of its type in east London and Essex. www.east-thames.co.uk

Well Placed Consultancy is an event management, search and training consultancy, and the owners of www.international-womens-month.co.uk.