Entertainment
Black Hollywood Reflects on James Earl Jones’ Influence
As many individuals proceed to react to the death of veteran actor James Earl Jones on September 9, 2024, we’re learning increasingly more about his life and the impact he had on a few of Black Hollywood’s biggest stars.
The legendary actor, 93, was perhaps best known for his powerful voice, lending his voice to iconic characters similar to Darth Vader and Mufasa. However, he once lived with a stutter and overcame multiple periods of self-imposed muteness early in his life.
When Jones was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement in 1996, he shared his thoughts interview what it was like growing up in Mississippi and Michigan.
“It wasn’t that I stopped talking; I just found it too hard to talk,” Jones recalled, adding that moving from Mississippi to Michigan together with his grandparents, who raised him, traumatized him significantly. As a result, he spent his first 12 months of college mute, a period that continued into highschool.
It was not until he met his highschool teacher, Donald Crouch, that Jones began to interrupt his silence, discovering his love of poetry in the method.
“(Crouch) said, ‘Do you like these words? Do you like how they sound in your head?’” Jones explained. “He said, ‘Well, they sound 10 times better when you say them in the air. It’s a shame you can’t say these words.’ He started challenging me and pushing me in the direction of speaking, and using my own poetry and then other poets… pushing me in that direction, in the direction of recognizing and appreciating the beauty of words.”
It’s hard to say what would have happened without Crouch’s crucial intervention. But it is simple to say what Jones would have done for a lot of future black Hollywood stars.
“He’s my hero,” Denzel Washington said. Diversitywho noted that his college theater profession was inspired by Jones’s performances in “Emperor Jones” and “Othello.”
“I didn’t set out to be as big as him. I wanted to sound like him. He was everything to me as a budding actor. He was who I wanted to be,” Washington continued. “There weren’t many serious black actors that we could emulate; imitate, admire. There was Sidney (Poitier); on stage, there was James Earl Jones. That’s what I remember.”
Ava DuVernay paid tribute to Jones in multiple posts on Instagram Stories, concluding with the caption, “A job well done. A gift well given. Blessings on your journey,” per Entertainment Weekly.
In the post on XKerry Washington shared, “Your voice has left an indelible mark on film and theater. Your roles have shaped our imaginations. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace, Mr. Jones.”
Wendell Pierce wrote in his own memorial post on X“The embodiment of genius. The embodiment of humanity. Artistry of the highest order. A personal hero of monumental talent. Once in a generation. My soul is broken by the news of his passing.”
Colman Domingo shared a photograph of a young Jones on Xwriting, “Thank you, dear James Earl Jones, for everything. Master of our craft. We stand on your shoulders. Rest now. You gave us the best.”
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Meanwhile, Courtney B. Vance, who hung out with Jones and his family six months ago, said: Diversity regrets not reminiscing about more of the times he shared the stage with the late actor, including their performances in August Wilson’s play “Fences,” in addition to the time they performed a scene from the play together on the 1987 Tony Awards.
“The first table read, I didn’t know how to address James—I called him ‘Sir.’ I was the only one who didn’t know anyone. And I was a total newbie, because I had just started doing theater. I didn’t know the difference between a stage and a stage. Everyone was bringing me in. They were teaching me,” Vance recalled.
He added, “James would like to be remembered as a gentleman, as someone who loved his family. Everyone else in his generation didn’t have role models, so they had to find a way to get out. They were all pioneers. Moses Gunn, Cicely Tyson and James in ‘The Blacks’ was a play that changed Broadway as much as ‘Fences’ did, allowing black performers to have careers.”
Vance also recalled the last time he saw Jones (who’s survived by his son Flynn) at his home in upstate New York earlier this 12 months.
“The whole family was there and we were all laughing and talking about old times,” he said. “He said to me, ‘Courtney, they’ve got me so stuck in this bubble, I think I’ll live to be a hundred.’ I said, ‘Jimmy, I know you will.’”
It seems that there will not be much that Usher Raymond IV – Better, known to the world, simply as a USher – no. He can sing. He can dance. He can sing and dance while skating. He works. Sells Las Vegas residences. Performs philanthropic work.
And also performs the completion addresses. Usher was utilized by the University in its own yard. May 12 Usher will provide the address at Emory University 180. Ceremony of graduation and shall be awarded with an honorary doctorate in humanitarian letters from the institution. This will not be the first Usher Rodeo with an honorary doctorate; In 2023 Berklee School of Music in Boston He awarded the International Superstar with distinction. He also gave comments then.
Usher will not be alien to Emory University. His non-profit, New Usher Lookwhich according to the website“He transforms the lives of malnourished youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion, global leaders”, has established cooperation with Emory’s University’s University Goizueta Business School in a 400-hour program helping to prepare teenagers for faculty. Apparently, non-profit influenced over 50,000 students.
“I spent my life following my spark – my passion – and trying to support young people when they find and follow their own passions. I am excited that I have the opportunity to talk to these amazing Emory students who graduate and prepare for imprint in the world – said Usher in Billboard statement.
Usher is one of the most successful musical acts in history, selling over 80 million records, winning many Grammy awards and has toured throughout the world since his profession in the mid -90s. His album “Confessions” from 2004 is the second best -selling album from 2000 and is taken into account by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of all of all of all.
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Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.
In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.
Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.
In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.
Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.
After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.
The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.
“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”
The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.
Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.
“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.
Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.
While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.
Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.
“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”
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