12th Annual Breast Cancer Education Luncheon

Keynote Speaker

Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle's 40-year music career began in the 1960s by revolutionizing the rhythm and blues industry and continues today with a passion and resilience that continues to influence today's music.

In addition to her legendary music career, LaBelle is a successful author, actress and activist. The same drive that made LaBelle a legend in the music industry has provided her with equal success in the publishing field and television. Her celebrated career has also been marked by tragedy.

Her resiliency was put to the test during a 10-year period when she lost her mother and three sisters to cancer and diabetes. When faced with adversity, LaBelle responded to these tragedies by taking action and raising awareness. She has served as spokesperson for the National Breast Care Institute, the American Diabetic Association and the National Medical Association. She is also a member of the National Minority AIDS Council, the American Diabetes Association and the National Alzheimer's Association. LaBelle also works with the National Cancer Institute. All of these high-profile campaigns have earned LaBelle national recognition.

The University of Miami 's prestigious Sylvestri Comprehensive Care Center dedicated a special research laboratory in her honor for her work on behalf of cancer awareness. LaBelle also has her own foundation called The Patti LaBelle Medical Education Scholarship Fund that is managed through the National Medical Association.

Although widely known for classic hits like the duet On My Own with Michael McDonald, If Only You Knew, You Are My Friend and If You Asked Me To, LaBelle's musical tastes have only enhanced her versatility. Pop divas Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott, Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim recently paid homage to LaBelle with a hip-hop rendition of the 1973 pop hit Lady Marmalade, which appeared on the soundtrack for the Academy Award winning musical Moulin Rouge.

LaBelle is a devoted mother of four sons and a daughter (one biological son and four adopted children of her late sisters). As an author, LaBelle has written four best-sellers including Don't Block the Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime, Patti LaBelle's Lite Cuisine and Patti's Pearls. As an actress, LaBelle starred in her own sitcom series Out All Night and numerous television shows and specials. She recently launched a new lifestyle show called Living It Up With Patti LaBelle, which can be seen on the TV One Network.

When she's not working, LaBelle is home in Philadelphia with her husband and five children.