Author Terri Cheney, who has chronicled her battle with bipolar disorder in "The Dark Side of Innocence" and the best-seller "Manic: A Memoir," will be the keynote speaker at the 21st annual Unity Luncheon on Tuesday, Feb. 26.

"This year's theme focuses on increasing awareness and dispelling the stigma of cognitive and mental health disorders," says Paula Sosta, chair of the Unity Luncheon committee. "We are very excited that we have Terri Cheney as our keynote speaker. Her personal experience with bipolar disorder will certainly change people's perception of mental illness."

The theme for this year's luncheon, hosted by the Access and disAbility Alliance (AdA), is "See the Person, Not the Disability," which encourages people to see others for the person they are, and not the disability they have.

AdA strives to promote awareness, access and equity for people with disabilities at Cal Poly Pomona.

The luncheon, which is open to faculty, staff and students, will take place in the Ursa Major Suite of the Bronco Student Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $20, with proceeds going to student scholarships. Faculty and staff seating is sold out, but students may still register at www.dsa.cpp.edu/unity. Cheney will sign books afterward.

The event is co-sponsored by the Black Faculty & Staff Association, Asian Pacific Faculty, Staff and Student Association; the Latino Faculty, Staff and Student Association; the Pride Alliance; and the Native American Task Force, as well as the AdA.