Divabetic Celebrates the Legacy of American Singer-Songwriter Luther Vandross

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(New York, NY) – By all accounts, 1951 was a great year for many reasons. In the United States, A gallon of gas cost 19 cents, a loaf of bread three cents less. Unemployment dipped to 3.3%. Fashions sported high waists and stiff pompadours. All About Eve won the Oscar, Ricky Loved Lucy in its television debut and Alan Freed shouted “Rock N Roll” on the radio. For Divabetic, all of this pales in comparison to the birth of a superstar, whose artistic and life journey would create a legacy and commitment to people living with, at risk of and affected by diabetes. On April 20, 1951, the late Luther Ronzoni Vandross was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York City. Vandross, an award-winning singer-songwriter, record producer and soul music visionary with worldwide sales of more than 30 million records, struggled with diabetes alone, in silence and succumbed to its complications in 2005. Every day, the U.S. based nonprofit formed in his memory works to prevent the tragedy that silenced his voice. “It is only fitting that we proclaim April Luv Luther Month to remind everyone of our guiding inspiration,” states Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek, Divabetic founder/executive director and Vandross’ 14-year assistant and friend.

Luv Luther Month gets underway on Mr. Divabetic’s YouTube Channel with the re-release of the public service announcement, Max and Mary, featuring Vandross’ mother, the late Mary Ida Vandross; the debut of a new series, Classic Diabetes Myth Busters, and the latest release in the Diabetes Numerology series, Screen Gems 11, a celebrity-inspired blood sugar value care video.

New program episodes on Diva TalkRadio, Divabetic’s online podcast channel, include a foot-stomping interview with Philadelphia podiatrist, Dr. Maasi J. Smith, beginning April 1 and continuing throughout the month. Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Luther Vandross airs live April 10 at 6:00 p.m. and features a whirlwind of wellness, laughs and diabetes education, all in 30 minutes. On April 20, a day that would have been Vandross’ 61st birthday, catch Tribute to Luther Vandross, The 70s, an hour-long all-star retrospective of the late singer’s early years. The program airs at 12Noon and features an entourage of Vandross colleagues, collaborators, friends and fans. One of many special guests, Jeff James of Sony Music Entertainment, drops in to discuss the April release of “Hidden Gems,” a collection of Vandross’ seldom heard album tracks and movie soundtrack songs. Mr. Divabetic, a 2011 WEGO Heath Activist Award finalist, hosts all podcast programs on Diva TalkRadio, which stream live from the host page at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1. Listeners can call 1-347-215-8551 to comment or chat during live shows.  Archived shows are available via the Internet or as a free podcast on iTunes.

On the road, Divabetic goes cross-country starting with the April 14 Diva Club in Cleveland (OH), then the April 19 Divabetic Club in Philadelphia, followed by the April 20 American Diabetes Association African-American Empowerment Brunch in Los Angeles (CA) and concluding with the April 22 KTWV 94.7 The WAVE Tribute to Luther Vandross Sunday Brunch in Seal Beach (CA). For event details, visit Divabetic’s online calendar.

Throughout the month, Divabetic invites the global community, including the more than 346 million people living with diabetes, to relive what they loved about the amazing artist Luther Vandross, learn from his diabetes journey and count on Divabetic for inspiration and support 365 days a year. Says Szadek, “Luther was a private person, but I think if he were alive today, he would approve of this tribute if it motivated one person to manage and live well with diabetes.”    

To learn more, join the online conversation and remember to use the social media hash tag #LuvLuther.