1988 Ad

Ebony, Jan, 1989

TENTH ANNIVERSARY: American Black Achievement Awards

THE formally attired audience stood and applauded as EBONY Publisher John H. Johnson walked briskly to the podium at the 1988 American Black Achievement Awards in the TAV Celebrity Theater in Hollywood.

"This is the 10th anniversary of a television program that celebrates America's longest-running series ... the American Dream," he said with pride. "For 10 years we have had the honor ... and the responsibility ... of presenting to the American public men and women who have succeeded against the odds in different fields."

Among the other emotional highlights of the evening, when the audience rose spontaneously and burst into applause, were the presentation of the Music Award by composer-bandleader Quincy Jones to Gladys Knight & The Pips (Jones was the first recipient of the award in 1978); the acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award by band-leader Lionel Hampton, who is celebrating his 60th year in show business; and the granting of the Trailblazer Award to the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Each year, the editors of EBONY and Jet nominate achievers in different fields. The nominees are then submitted to EBONY's "The 100 Most Influential Black Americans" for selection of recipients in each category.

Co-hosts of this year's ABAA were Jackee, a star of the TV sitcom 227, and Clifton Davis, a star of TV's Amen.

Check local TV listings for the date of the show's airing in your area.