Tony Award winner Melba Moore to headline fundraiser for Thomas Fortune Cultural Center in Red Bank, New Jersey

RED BANK, N.J. — Tony Award winner Melba Moore will headline a VIP Meet & Greet fundraiser on May 9 at the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, where she will greet fans, discuss her new memoir, and support the center’s ongoing cultural work. The event begins at 3 p.m., and organizers said VIP tickets cost $50, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Fortune Cultural Center.

The VIP experience includes light refreshments and a copy of Moore’s recent memoir, “This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better,” written with Kevin E. Taylor.

Conversation With Executive Director Follows Melba Moore VIP Book Signing Event

At 4:30 p.m., Moore will join award-winning journalist Gilda Rogers, the center’s executive director, for a public conversation about her life, career, and new book. This portion of the event is free and open to the public, and the VIP book signing will follow. Organizers said attendees must register in advance due to limited seating.

Melba Moore’s Historic Career Spans Five Decades

Moore graduated from Arts High School in Newark and later attended Montclair State University. She made history in 1968 as the first Black woman to replace a white actress Diane Keaton in a leading role in the original Broadway production of Hair. She went on to win a Tony Award for her performance as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in Purlie.

In 2023, Moore received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to theater. Moore’s influence spans more than 50 years and continues to inspire new generations.

“Melba Moore’s music is an important part of the soundtrack of my life,” Rogers said. “You Stepped Into My Life and Lean On Me are just a couple of my classic favorites. I’m so excited for her to be here at the Fortune Cultural Center.”

Melba Moore Red Bank Book Signing Event: Registration Required Due to Limited Seating

Organizers encouraged guests to register early for both the VIP event and the public conversation. The Cultural Center is located at 94 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank.

Tickets for the VIP Meet & Greet are available through the event link.