Politicians from across the U.S. sought out Clarence Avant for his advice, his fundraising prowess and the weight that his endorsement carried among Black voters.
Reginald Hudlin, director of Netflix’s Clarence Avant documentary ‘The Black Godfather,’ on Avant’s legacy, political impact and imprint on Hollywood.Parker recalled hosting a fundraising lunch for Bradley in the board room of the insurance company where he was a vice president. Avant stood up, Parker said, and told the room: “Well, all you mother f—s, it’s time to open your checkbooks. When we leave here, we’re going to have $100,000 for Tom.
Maddox first met Avant while collecting fundraising checks from lawyers, developers and executives on the Westside for his boss Maxine Waters, who was then in the California Assembly. Though gruff, Avant was always kind to the low-level staffer picking up the checks, and he sometimes gave practical advice, Maddox said.
Avant called him. The two men didn’t know each other. But they both knew getting a Black man elected to Congress in Georgia would be an uphill climb. The Deep South hadn’t sent a Black representative to Washington in nearly a century. Los Angeles businessman Danny Bakewell Sr., the publisher of the L.A. Sentinel newspaper, recalled Avant once picking up the phone and asking Young to come to a benefit for the Brotherhood Crusade, an appearance that helped put the nonprofit advocacy group on the map.
Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at the 1976 Democratic National Convention at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Clarence Thomas’ Corrected Ethics Disclosure Form Is Not Actually CorrectThomas’ motivation for the categorization seems obvious.
Read more »
Clarence Page: When is a book ban not a ‘ban’?Culture wars have reached Illinois and Gov. J.B. Pritzker has entered the fray by signing what’s being called the nation’s first ban against book bans.
Read more »
Rita Ora Elevated the Naked Dress With a Stunning Avant-Garde ElementRita Ora arrived at the 2023 amfAR Gala donning a show-stopping naked gown with the most unexpected avant-garde detailing.
Read more »
A $125,000 Blue De Bethune and Four Other Avant-Garde Watches That Redefine TimekeepingMakers launched futuristic looks for elite collectors at the Geneva Watch Days event
Read more »
Avant Gardner owners were behind Electric Zoo fiasco, Mayor Adams promises responseDocuments obtained by Gothamist show the organizers, who also own Avant Gardner, have a history of overselling events.
Read more »