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Best-selling author Cupcake Brown inspires hundreds of fans at UEL lecture

Wednesday 12 March 2008

Over two hundred fans from all over the country attended an inspirational talk by celebrated African-American author Cupcake Brown at the University of East London (UEL) Stratford campus on Monday 10 March.

Cupcake 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. She also answered countless questions about her amazing real-life story.

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.

Cupcake said: “I wrote ‘A Piece of Cake’ because I wanted to set down the truth about my life. It hasn’t been an easy one, and during my younger years, I often thought of myself as a victim.

“As I grew older, I realised there's a point in all of our lives when we have to take responsibility and become a willing participant. Understanding that really helped me to move on and take control of my life.

“I also realised that my anger and hatred toward my tormentors was killing me and not them. I had to learn to forgive, which doesn’t mean forgetting - it means giving up all hope of a better past and looking forward to a brighter future.”

Cupcake’s talk was sponsored by East Thames Group and organised by Well Placed Consultancy as part of UEL’s International Women’s Day celebrations.

Marsha John, Diversity Manager at East Thames Group, said: “Cupcake Brown is an inspirational woman, and we were delighted to work with the University of East London in presenting 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 has provided 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 has been a wonderful opportunity to hear first-hand from someone who has succeeded in dramatically transforming her life.”

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 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 its 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.

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