“‘Go back to your computer and write about Jackie.'”
Emmys: 'The Black Godfather' Shines Light On Entertainment Powerbroker Clarence Avant, Unsung Champion Of African-American Talent
Such was the wisdom imparted by late music executive Clarence Avant to his author/producer daughter Nicole Avant following the tragic killing of her mother Jacqueline Avant in December 2021 during a home invasion in Beverly Hills.
“When everyone Googles, it’s just ‘home invasion, shot and dead’. No — that’s not her life,” says Avant, “I want people to learn her lessons, and they’re lessons on humanity.”
“I took my mother’s legacy and created an energy.”
Avant shared her family’s personal story as well as her latest memoir Think You’ll Be Happy: Moving Through Grief With Grit, Grace and Gratitude in a conversation with multi-Grammy winning songwriter producer and Recording Academy Chairman emeritus Jimmy Jam at a recent reception at her and her husband Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ LA home.
In the book, which is for Grammy voters’ consideration this season in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling category, Avant doesn’t dwell on the tragic night of her mother’s death, rather reveals the lessons she’s learned from her parents and friends which propelled her past the pain. As Jam exclaimed about Think You’ll Be Happy, “it’s a playbook to get through those moments in our lives.”
Avant said, “My father said to me when I was writing the book, ‘Nicole, I understand your heart is shattered…You’ll regret allowing this person to take your life as well, to take your life force, to take your soul, to take your energy. We’re not having that, we don’t do that in this family.'”
Former 'Good Morning America' Meteorologist Rob Marciano Lands At CBS News After ABC Exit
Avant began writing the book prior to her mother’s death, and following the success of her 2019 Emmy nominated Netflix documentary production The Black Godfather directed by Reginald Hudlin, which follows Clarence Avant’s behind-the-scenes work in music, film, TV and politics. A publisher approached her, praising the documentary for its impact on Black history and encouraged Avant to continue sharing her life and family’s stories. Avant found a starting point with themes such as grit, grace and gratitude.
Clarence Avant launched and guided the careers of numerous entertainment stars including, Quincy Jones, Bill Withers, Dennis Coffey, as well as Jam and his writing/producer partner Terry Lewis who count 41 Top 10 hits stateside, including songs for Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson. Clarence Avant was also the former chairman of Motown and once owned record labels Sussex and Tabu.
Looking back Nicole Avant says, “Everybody was an activist in their own way, everybody was always about opening the door for other people, making sure the baton was passed.”
In regards to the title of the book — Think You’ll Be Happy– these were the last words texted to Avant by her mother six hours before her death.
“It’s not a coincidence to me, it’s not a mistake that my Mom’s last words were ‘Think You’ll be Happy’,” Avant said, “It’s a mantra for me, to keep my mind right, to stay on the positive as much as I can, to look at the upside as much as I can.”
Disneyland Hikes Price Of Most Tickets & All Magic Key Passes Well Beyond Cost Of Inflation
Local News
Comments / 0