Los Angeles, CA (April 25, 2023) – “While I am saddened by his passing, I’m grateful for a life well lived by the formidable Harry Belafonte – a true advocate for the civil rights movement and a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. What made Harry Belafonte so special and different is he was an activist first who became an artist to reach new audiences. His remarkable music and acting career were matched only by his unwavering dedication to social justice.
“He never gave up on his roots. He never forgot where he came from. The son of Jamaican born immigrants, he grew up on the tough streets of Harlem. He never forgot people who were from communities that looked like him all over the world. His activism is how he led in every endeavor that he participated in, whether it was co-hosting a show, a guest hosting for Johnny Carson, he used his megaphone and his platform to give a voice to the voiceless.
“Harry Belafonte used his platform to shine a light on the struggles faced by Black communities around the world. He was a close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and worked tirelessly to advance civil rights. Harry Belafonte’s legacy will live on through his music, his activism, and the countless lives he touched. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Statement by Areva Martin, Esq. on the Passing of Harry Belafonte
