Metropolitan Jack & Jill, Inc. and Jack and Jill Alumni, Inc. a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to support, as well as provide civic, cultural, educational and social support to youth and encourage them to consider entrepreneurship, hosted an e-book launch and reception at the Schomburg Center for African American Research for Christina Lewis Halpern, author of “Lonely At The Top” — a memoir about her emotional journey through Harvard College and the struggles she faced living in the shadow of her entrepreneur father, the late Reginald F. Lewis, who also author a book titled, “Why Should White Boy Have All the Fun.”

In a lively conservation, Christina was interviewed by Sarah Lewis (no relation), who also grew up in Jack & Jill, an organization noted for fostering academic excellence and civic responsibility. Christina discussed what it was like being the daughter of her famous father. the first African American billionaire.

“Despite obvious material advantages,” I regularly grappled with fears of failure… of never being able to live up to the larger-than-life image of my father, or of not fulfilling the often unreal expectations others had of me. She also said, “… anxiety about being pre-judged, for better or worse, at times left me doubting my considerable gifts in a number of areas.”

Detailed throughout the memoir is a poignant journey of self-discovery and renewed confidence gained through deeper understanding of her father and appreciation for what he was able to achieve.

After the interview, the audience weighed in with questions: Why was she compelled to write the book? Why the sharing of her father’s grades? How did she handle his death? How ultimately did she conquer her fears, and has she totally succeeded? The inspiring answers can be found in “Lonely At The Top,” a Top-10 Kindle single memoir available on Amazon.