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Ebony, Jan, 1990

American Black Achievement Awards

With a vast array of entertainment stars and leaders in many professions in the glittery, black-tie audience in Hollywood's TAV Celebrity Theatre, the 11th annual American Black Achievement Awards (ABAA) paid tribute to the roles Blacks have played in the 50 years of the TV industry. "Black Americans were generally overlooked in the official celebrations of the first 50 years of television, but tonight we are putting the living color back into the television picture!" said EBONY and JET Publisher John H. Johnson as the crowd stood and cheered. There were reminders of the pioneering roles of Nat King Cole, whose short-lived The Nat King Cole Show made him the first Black star of a nationally televised variety show; Bill Cosby, who co-starred with Robert Culp in I Spy and later created a dynasty with The Cosby Show; Flip Wilson, who starred in The Flip Wilson Show, and Diahann Carroll, who became the first Black woman TV star in a prestige role in a series, Julia, and the late Max Robinson, who was the first Black news anchor on TV.

The emotional highlight of the evening was when Publisher Johnson presented the coveted ABAA Lifetime Achievement Award to Opera diva Leontyne Price, who, he said, "came out of Laurel, Miss., with a voice that you hear only once in a lifetime." Miss Price graciously offered her thanks, saying "No matter how many honors and awards one receives, none is more precious than one given by one's own."

Each year the editors of EBONY and JET nominate achievers in various fields, then submit their nominees to EBONYHS "The 100 Most Influential Black American" for final selections of recipients in each category. Co-hosts of this year's awards were Flip Wilson and Natalie Cole. The show is televised throughout the U.S. And elsewhere. Check for the date in your city.

Celebrities and executives of EBONY and Jet gather onstage for finale of 11th annual ABAA. Leontyne Price stands center with EBONY Publisher and Mrs. John H. Johnson.

ABAA co-hosts Natalie Cole and Flip wilson (opposite page below) liven up show during which Anita Baker accept Music Award for her best-selling album Giving You the Best That I Got. Publisher Johnson (below) describes Leontyne Price's long climb from Laurel, Miss., to pinnacle of the opera world before presenting her the coveted ABAA Lifetime Achievement Award. After making a gracious acceptance speech, Miss Price sings an aria.

Sizzling in their ABAA opening act featuring their hit tune "Dial-My Heart" are The Boys--Hakeem, Bilal, Khiry and Tajh Abdul-Samad. Below, left, Sharon Brown and Jonelle Allen of the TV show Generations delight audience. Below, actess Roz Ryan sings "I Am Determined." Bottom, part of the black-tie crowd at the black-tie crowd at the awards ceremony.

Recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Award for Black Education was Dr. Dolores M. R. Spikes, president of the Southern University System and chancellor of Southern University, Baton Rouge. Presenters of the award were actor Howard Rollins (1.) and Virgis Colbert, vice president of materials manufacturing at Miller Brewing Co., which funds the award's scholarship. At right, actors Nichelle Nichols and LeVar Burton, representing two generations of Star Trek, present the Religion Award to Bishop Barbara Harris, first woman bishop of the 2.5 million-member Episcopal Church of America.

Actors Esther Rolle and Avery Brooks present (above, left) the Martin Luther King Award for Public Service to Democratic National Committee Chairman Ron Brown. Above, Arthur Mitchell, founder 20 years ago and still executive director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, accepts the Fine Arts Award. Below, actress-singer Diahann Carroll praises Mitchell and his commitment to young Black artists before presenting his award.

Natalie Cole and her husband, Andre Fischer (right) party with members of the Cole family, brother Kelly Cole, aunt Evelyn Coles, sister Casey Cole, her husband Kevin Ray and Natalie's mother-in-law, Frances Fischer. Below, left, actor Raymond St. Jacques who was one of the first Black stars of a TV series (Rawhide), chats with Mrs. Carl Meyers, Charles Morrison of Coca-Cola Co. and Carl Meyers, syndicator of ABAA show. Below, right, Noel Hankins of Miller Brewing Co., Nichelle Nichols, Dr. Hermon Spikes, Dr. Dolores M. R. Spikes and Virgis W. Colbert of Miller Brewing Co. have a great time.

Actresses Jonelle allen and Morgan Fairchild (far left) were presenters of Music Award to Anita Baker. Presenting Business and Professions Award to Motown Productions president Suzanne De Passe were (left) Isabel Sanford and Christopher Hewett. Below, left, comedian Sinbad presents Athletics Award to basketball star Michael Jordan. Below, right, Roz Ryan and Greg Morris present Dramatic Arts Award to Spike Lee.

Attending gala dinner party at Hollywood's Brown Derby Restaurant following the ABAA taping was Music Award recipient Anita Baker, who is welcomed by Publisher and Mrs. John H. Johnson.