Clarence Edmond Shackelford (AKA) "M1Y" - The Artist, a publicist, the founder of Tour Tyler Texas and also the founder of Texas African American Museum both programs are under the auspices of the Empowerment Community Development Corporation, which is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit.
Upon receiving a challenge from a close friend to enhance the Northside of Tyler, Texas with more works of art I, Clarence Edmond Shackelford starting drawing in 2021, and today has over 200 drawing which are also digitize images. One of those drawing is of Mr. Harold George Bellanfanti Jr., (AKA) Harry Belafonte who was born on March 1, 1927.
All of my drawings are commission work for artists and are being presented for Educational and Informational purposes.
On the morning of April 25, 2023, we received the notice of Mr. Harry Belafonte death and explored ways on how to best use the art drawing that was commissioned by LeRoy Francis Sr. (DBA) Community Funeral Home Tyler, of Mr. Harry Belafonte and the legendary life that he lived.
I reached out to the Gloria Mays Washington a board member of the Empowerment Community Development Corporation and also the Executive Director of the Texas African American Museum and Rodney Atkins, Director of Library Services at Jarvis Christian University to see if we could loan them the Art Drawings, and they both agree and have received the art drawing. - Clarence Edmond Shackelford
If you will like see the final commissioned drawing of Harry Belafonte, which is now on loan at two East Texas Museums; contact the Jarvis Christian University - African American Museum located at the Olin Learning Resource Center - Academic library at Jarvis Christian University - Rodney Atkins, Director, Library Services 903-730-4890 x2171 ratkins@jarvis.edu and / or the Texas African American Museum which is located at 309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tyler, Texas - 903.283.6089. -Clarence Edmond Shackelford
Here are some of the things that Harry Belafonte did first:
He was the first African American to win an Emmy Award, for his 1959 TV special Tonight with Belafonte. He was the first African American to produce a television special, Tonight with Belafonte.
He was the first African American to have a number-one album on the Billboard charts, with his 1956 album Calypso.
He was the first African American to have a major motion picture role, in the 1954 film Carmen Jones. He was a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and a close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr.
He was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate for humanitarian causes around the world. Belafonte was a groundbreaking figure in American culture and a tireless advocate for social justice.
He is an inspiration to people all over the world and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Sources: https://empowermentcdc.org, TourTylerTexas@gmail.com
NewsBreak article Sponsored by: LeRoy Francis Sr. DBA Community Funeral Home Tyler and Clarence Edmond Shackelford.
Comments / 0