April Simpkins celebrates BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS

Join us for a discussion, Q&A, and signing of By the Time You Read This. This is the story former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was about to publish before her tragic suicide. Her mother, April, wraps up the narrative by exploring the mental illness and depression that took her daughter’s life.

Whether you are someone who struggles to maintain your mental health, or you love someone who does, this book will share insight into a reality that impacts thousands of families every year—as well as provide hope for those who are left behind.

Net proceeds from the book will be used to support the Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation, which is being founded in Cheslie’s honor.

About the Author

April Simpkins is a mental health advocate, serving as an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a board member for NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, where she serves her local community. She has earned a Mental Health First Aid Certification and is also trained in Emotional CPR. As a C-suite executive, April is an in-demand public speaker who has addressed audiences internationally on the topics of leadership, culture, DEI, and mental health in the workplace. She has received numerous awards for her business acumen and community service.

April is the wife of David, the mother of six incredible children, and the grandmother of one beautiful granddaughter.

Cheslie Kryst was a complex civil litigation attorney licensed to practice law in both North and South Carolina. Passionate about criminal justice reform, she worked pro bono for clients serving excessive time for low-level drug offenses. Cheslie was crowned Miss USA in May 2019 and represented the United States at the 2019 Miss Universe Competition, placing in the top ten of ninety countries.

In October 2019, Cheslie was named a correspondent for the nationally broadcast entertainment news show Extra, where she regularly interviewed the world’s biggest names, celebrities, and influencers.

About the Moderator

Erica Bryant is an Emmy award-winning journalist. She joined the WSOC-TV family in 2004. She currently co-anchors Channel 9 Eyewitness News weeknights at 5pm, 6pm, 10pm and 11pm.

In 2020, Erica was named RTDNAC TV News Anchor of the Year. Some of her most memorable work includes co-producing prime time special reports “Stand Up to Domestic Violence,” and “Life After Death: Rae Carruth and The Son Who Survived.” Erica also co-anchored live coverage of the Memorial Service for Reverend Billy Graham in 2018, the Democratic National Convention in 2012, and the Republican National Convention in 2020.

Before joining WSOC-TV, Erica previously worked for WCBD-TV in Charleston, SC and WHNS-TV in Greenville, SC. She earned her degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Erica is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Crown Jewels Chapter of the Links, Inc., and associate member of the Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.

Event Guidelines

• Limited copies of By the Time You Read This will be available for purchase.
• To attend this event, customers must call the Barnes & Noble Arboretum store at (704) 341-9365 to reserve a copy of By the Time You Read This.  Reserved copies will be available for purchase on the day of the event.
• When you purchase your copy of By the Time You Read This on the day of the event, you will be given a wristband.  Both your copyof By the Time You Read This purchased at the Barnes & Noble Arboretum store and your wristband are needed to enter the event space.
• There will be limited seating, and chairs will be first come, first served. The rest will be standing room. Some standing room only spots will have a partially obstructed/totally obstructed view.
• Pictures with April are allowed.
• April will personalize copies of the book.

Event guidelines are subject to change.