This year a long list of prominent names who recently transitioned to Black ancestry will be added to a rollcall of giants annually acknowledged on Memorial Day weekend at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and next month for the 34th annual Tribute to the Ancestors in Coney Island.
Among them, super-achiever Harry Belafonte, attorney Alton Maddox, radio engineer Tony Ryan, photographer/archivist Kwame Brathwaite — who all died last month.
Brathwaite who died on April 1 at age 85 was heralded at Abyssinia Baptist Church on the last Monday in April and on Monday, May 1, the legal scholar — who died April 23 — will be regaled by a grateful congregation at the same house of worship in Harlem.
PHOTOGRAPHER/CULTURAL ARCHIVIST BRATHWAITE GONE
Kwame Brathwaite was a well-respected freelance photographer who captured images of the most important events related to Black culture. His works reputedly defines the “Black is Beautiful” movement.
The son of Barbadian nationals, Kwame and his brother Elombe were stalwarts of the Harlem community. While Elombe traversed a path of community activism, Kwame used his camera lens to preserve Black history generations already appreciate.
He is acclaimed for compiling an archive of the famous Grandassa models, Bob Marley’s funeral in Jamaica, Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” in Africa, Nelson Mandela’s arrival to America, the Motown revue at the Apollo Theater, the Jackson Five in Africa and a long list of Black historical treasures.
“DAY-O” MANIA DEFINES TRIBUTES TO BELAFONTE
In the same Manhattan village, the Apollo marquee lit in honor of the 96-year-old fallen hero. And the day following his April 25 passing crowds gathered on the plaza at Lincoln Center to sing his songs and praise his legacy.
New Yorkers assembled in the afternoon singing the Banana Boat Song, an infectious tune popularly acclaimed by echoing “Day-O.” The signature song seemed to embolden fans to imitate the legendary trailblazer. The crowd lingered to also pay tribute to Harry Belafonte’s role in recording the “We Are The World” benefit anthem for Africa. Fans of every ilk chorused the lyrics which grouped Michael Jackson, Al Jarreau, Smokey Robinson and a galaxy of stars to help raise $50 million and in the process won a Grammy Award in the song of the year category.
Social media reported Belafonte the trending topic throughout the week recording uploads of his interviews and music which reportedly went viral on the worldwide web.
WBAI-99.5-FM will host an all-day tribute to Belafonte beginning at 5 a.m. Friday, May 5.
ATTORNEY ALTON MADDOX PASSES IN THE BRONX AT AGE 77
Alton Maddox is being remembered by loyalist from the Black community for speaking truth to justice. While those outside the realm might refute that contention by focusing on his defense of 16-year-old Tawana Brawley who alleged rape in Wappinger Falls in 1987, supporters remain mindful of his advocacy for grassroots people.
Maddox was the firebrand lawyer who defined New York’s most progressive grassroots advocacy triumvirate. Along with C. Vernon and Rev. Alfred Sharpton they responded to calls from disfranchised Black victims who sought their help. Ironically, he skillfully championed victory in a case against Sharpton who faced a 67-count indictment.
Suffice it to say some of the very same media outlets that reported guilt of all youths arrested for perpetrating a heinous rape in Central Park Five maintain Maddox and his collaborators conspired to spread a “hoax” in order to gain notoriety.
While no member of the trio has ever admitted a conspiracy, a case for Maddox’s credibility is indelibly inscribed victorious in attaining justice for the family of graffiti artist Michael Stewart, Bensonhurst victim Yusuf Hawkins, Guyanese native, Cedric Sandifford and Trinidad-born Michael Griffith who were assaulted in Howard Beach and other disfranchised Blacks. Maddox pleaded for two special prosecutors and successfully secured justice for the bereaved families of the victims. Renowned as “attorney at war” Maddox easily emerged victorious when he defended a youth initially charged as complicit with the Central Park seven. Mainstream media seem to also miss the fact Maddox attracted court watchers who wanted to bear witness to his process in disarming prosecutors and racist attorneys. Whenever Maddox defended a case it seemed as if textbook lessons would be taught in the courtroom. Maddox formed United African Movement, an organization he said would advocate for Black enlightenment.
Maddox was not the easiest to align. He was often guarded always suspicious of unfamiliar individuals. Some might have labeled him cantankerous.
“He was restless, he wanted justice for his people,” Trinidad and Tobago-born Village Voice reporter Peter Noel.
Noel probably comprehended the urgency Maddox must have yearned for. When his son was born, Noel asked Maddox to be the Godfather.
Last Thursday Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron paid tribute to Maddox by honoring his legacy in the chambers of City Hall.
The politician acknowledged and lauded the might of the legal scholar who championed victories for voiceless grassroots
Maddox is survived by his only son Charles, grandchildren, great grandchildren and countless grateful benefactors.
WBLS/WBAI-FM ENGINEER TONY RYAN DEAD
News of the passing of former WBLS-FM radio engineer, Tony Ryan shocked staffers at the station as well as producers he worked with at public radio station WBAI.
“I am blown away,” Imhotep Gary Byrd said. “I just can’t believe he is gone.”
Byrd had worked with Ryan at both radio stations seemed bereft at hearing the news and said he needed confirmation. Afterwards he resigned in accepting the tragic news saying the Pacifica team intends to memorialize the IT specialist, engineer and host of “Soul Central Station.”
Ryan engineered and hosted the Saturday evening music show aired on WBAI—FM. The program combined requests from listeners with music. Prior to that he worked at ‘BLS and deejayed in clubs in Los Angeles and New York.
Ryan was a resident of New Jersey.
He also co-produced vintage doo-wop and r&b showcases at Roseland Ballroom.
MOUNT VERNON UNVEILS MONUMENT TO HEAVY-D
Two days before the end of April, Dwight Arrington Myers AKA Heavy-D was memorialized in a ceremony to unveil a monument named in honor of one of his hits. “Peaceful Journey” pays tribute to the Jamaican hip-hop rapper who died in 2011 at age 44 from a pulmonary embolism which caused a blood clot in his leg.
The monument is located at 42 Broad St.
AND SO SHE GOES…
The week and month ended with news that a white woman from the south had also transitioned. Although her name never became a household word, history inscribes the damning account from a woman who accused 14-year-old Emmett Till of whistling at her.
In 1955, she caused quite a ruckus in Mississippi which incited her husband to round up his racist friends to lynch the Black youth. Till was brutally murdered and dumped in the Tallahatchie River.
Her husband and his cohort were acquitted of all charges and the accuser never recanted the allegation.
She was 88 when she died Friday in a nursing home.
“Her legacy will be one of dishonesty and injustice” Malik Shabazz with Black Lawyers for Justice reportedly stated.
On hearing news of her death, Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., Till’s cousin and best friend said: “Our hearts go out to the family of Carolyn Bryant Donham. As a person of faith for more than 60 years I recognize that any loss of life is tragic and don’t have any ill will or animosity toward her.”
Catch You On The Inside!
