Black History: African American Entertainment Entrepreneurs

I have posted this blog to acknowledge and to celebrate African American entrepreneurs who made their names in the entertainment field, and achieved great success at a time when few opportunities existed for Black people.

People who provided employment and training for African Americans, helped Black performers to forge successful careers, and contributed to the financial prosperity of the Black community.

Don Cornelius, producer and presenter of Soul Train, was one of the first African American entrepreneurs whose business operated without white backing.

Click here to watch a video about Don Cornelius.

Berry Gordy founded the Motown empire. He had worked in a car factory himself, and based Motown on the way the automobile factories operated.

Click here to read more about Berry Gordy and the legend that is Motown.

Oscar Micheaux was the first African American to make a feature film. He promoted African American actors from 1919/20 onwards. Click here to read more about Oscar Micheaux's life and work.

Plus click here for free advice from Black business experts.

This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. To locate them, just type "Black history" into the search box.

Michael Jackson Is Dead

Wow. I remember when he first came to prominence, when he was 10 and I was 11. He was an exceptional talent and grew up to be one of the biggest stars on the planet - deservedly so. In those days, to be famous and successful as a performer, you needed to have real talent. And he had it in spades.

He has had such a troubled life. He had no childhood. He faced his demons in adulthood but we don't know if he won.

I was just thinking about Michael Jackson a couple of nights ago, about how when he was a child and was appearing with the Jackson 5 at the Royal Variety Performance, Elton John said he felt sorry for them because they had been made to wait so long.

He was interviewed by Oprah, where they both talked about the childhood abuse they had suffered.

How could he have died of a heart attack? He was only 50. What was going on there?

This has really shocked me. No doubt we will be learning more over the next days and weeks.

See also, Celebrating the Legend That Is Motown.

Elvis Costello and Smokey Robinson

Channel surfing the other day, I came across a programme in which Elvis Costello was interviewing Smokey Robinson on stage at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Two music legends in conversation.

It was a magical moment. Smokey told the story of when he met Ray Charles for the first time and Charles helped him out of a difficult situation. In fact, it would have been a disaster had it not been for Charles's intervention. Read all about it at Celebrating the Legend that Is Motown.

Smokey also talked about working with Marvin Gaye and how he "Marvinised" every song he sang - he made every song his own.

In this Black History Month/African Heritage Month, we may be very aware of the suffering we have endured and our fight for survival. It's also important to remember and celebrate the good times.

Then I saw the end credits. And who produced this TV gem? Among others, David Furnish and Sir Elton John.