It’s Black History Month - a time to celebrate the prominent figures who paved the way.
Local 4 Lifestyle Editor Jon Jordan gathered a list of some of the many important historical Black figures who made contributions to our collective culture.
Jon began with Harry Belafonte, an American singer, actor, producer, and activist. Belafonte became a popular star in the 1950s, popularizing calypso music with international audiences. Despite his many talents, his most important skill was being an activist who cared about people. Jon noted that the popular song highlighting fundraising for famine relief in Ethiopia, “We Are the World,” originated with Belafonte.
Eartha Kitt was the next highlighted figure, who came around the same era as Belafonte. Kitt was also a famous singer and actor, as well as a civil rights advocate.
“Orson Welles called her the most exciting woman in the world,” Jon said. “She was very exotic, almost kind of feline, she had a way of purring and growling, her inflection was very unique.”
Jon continued with Grace Jones, a Jamaican-born singer, model, actress, and songwriter. Jon mentioned her exoticness, similar to Kitt’s but maybe even more outrageously exotic. Embracing her Jamaican roots in her music, she also had a famous Pentecostal Bishop brother, Noel Jones.
The famous American female vocal group, The Pointer Sisters, was Jon’s next famous highlight. The sisters achieved huge mainstream success during the 1970s, during which they won a Grammy Award in 1975 for Best Country Vocal Performance. This was the first of three Grammy Awards for the group.
Rounding out the list for Jon was Luther Vandross, a Grammy Museum-recognized American R&B and soul singer. Vandross was primarily remembered for his backup vocals, along with being a bit more on the shy side. He’d eventually break out on his own, becoming one of the most recognized figures today.
To watch the full segment, click on the video above.