New York, April 25, 2023 — Today, we honor the remarkable legacy of Harry Belafonte, a true friend and iconic figure who captured the hearts of countless millions throughout his life. Not only was Mr. Belafonte an acclaimed singer and actor, but he was also a powerful civil rights leader, mentor, friend and sponsor to many. In 2005, he founded The Gathering for Justice, driven by the shocking news of a 5-year-old Black girl, Jaiesha Scott, being unjustly handcuffed and arrested in her Florida classroom for simply being “unruly”. Mr. Belafonte's unwavering commitment to achieving racial justice and building the beloved community never faltered until his passing on April 25, 2023, at 96-years-old. Today, we celebrate the life of this inspirational individual whose dedication and passion have left a permanent mark on our world. May we all carry on his legacy and strive to make a positive difference in our communities and beyond.

“I am utterly shattered and heart broken by the news of the passing of my dear mentor, Mr. Harry Belafonte, fondly known as Mr. B. He was an exceptional human being, whose brilliance and visionary approach were truly unparalleled,” said President and CEO at The Gathering for Justice, Carmen Perez-Jordan. “Mr. B had a rare gift of foresight, which enabled him to look beyond his time and connect every aspect of life to a historical perspective. For over two decades, I had the honor and privilege of sitting under his tutelage and learning from this incredible giant of a man. Mr. B's unwavering faith in my abilities, even as a Chicana from the small town of Oxnard, was a catalyst that propelled me to lead his organization, The Gathering for Justice in 2010. He instilled in me lofty expectations that seemed impossible to achieve, but his inspiration and encouragement spurred me on to reach the unattainable. His wisdom was vast, and he shared with me countless stories of his relationship with a young Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Russell Means, and many other leaders. He introduced me to people from all over the world, from different walks of life, from diverse backgrounds and sectors, allowing me to understand that “there is a lane for each one of us” in building the beloved community.” Mr. B taught me the importance of recognizing the global impact of US policies and never to forget my roots. His brilliance and knowledge gave us the blueprint to organize on a large scale and keep our message potent. He shared stories of past movements and leaders often excluded from our history books, his experience with them providing invaluable insights. He had a vision for the world that included justice and equity for all, especially women and children and he often reminded me to keep my moral compass steady. We shared our passion for music and our love for artists who enriched our lives, expanding 50 years of creativity which reflected our 50 year age difference and often found ourselves laughing and sharing dance moves in the office. I like to think that he made me wiser, while I made him hip. I will miss our conversations, his guidance, his words, his humor and his questioning mind, but above all, I will miss our relationship. Mr. B was a rare gem, and I am privileged to have known him, to have acted as a bridge to my generation and to have introduced my sons to the man that helped shape their mommy’s passion for justice. His life was a testament to what one can achieve with vision, perseverance, hard work, and dedication regardless of what is thrown at you while trying to achieve it. He left an indelible mark on my life, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. I love you Mr. B!”

Throughout his career, Mr. Belafonte was an advocate for political and humanitarian causes. He spent time with activists and leaders and cultivated a close relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Their brotherhood and camaraderie is reflected in The Gathering for Justice’s work through our emphasis on Kingian nonviolence as the foundation of all our work. 

Mr. Belafonte accepted the responsibility of being a gatekeeper of truth after being mentored by  the actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson. As he later recalled, "Paul Robeson had been my first great formative influence; you might say he gave me my backbone. Martin King was the second; he nourished my soul.”

The legacy of his work and commitment to civil rights was institutionalized in 2005, when he founded The Gathering for Justice, an intergenerational and intercultural movement rooted in nonviolence. The Gathering for Justice is committed to ending child incarceration; being a bridge that connects the wisdom of the elders and harnesses the energy of youth; and building the next generation of movement leaders. 

Mr. Belafonte was instrumental in organizing the first gathering almost twenty years ago and the work has only multiplied over the years. The Gathering for Justice has convened dialogues between generations of activists, community members, formerly-incarcerated individuals, artists, systems stakeholders and academics from all communities and cultures. With Mr. Belafonte’s guidance The Gathering for Justice has advocated against police brutality alongside victims and families; taken a knee with Colin Kaepernick; served as an incubator for generations of activists; and worked to free Meek Mill, Pedro Hernandez and many others wrongfully incarcerated in our broken justice system. 

“Mr. B passed us the baton,” said Brea Baker, writer, activist, and board member at The Gathering for Justice. “The best way to honor his legacy is for us to run with it.”

Harry Belafonte was the very best of us. An empathetic humanist who cared deeply about the intrinsic equality and dignity of all individuals, he effectively abdicated world-wide superstardom to devote his life to easing the struggles of others, and in the process broke inter-racial barriers and helped change the world. When encountered by those in need or with a just cause, Harry was there,” said Ira Gilbert, board member at The Gathering for Justice. “The man behind "We Are the World", a UNICEF ambassador who brought Nelson Mandela to America, he was Eleanor Roosevelt's confidante and Dr. Martin Luther King's close friend and ally. Harry was possibly the single biggest individual funder of the Civil Rights movement, but his activism extended far beyond monetary aid. He stepped up to the front lines of danger and controversy early on and never looked back, even risking his life. The accolades were endless for this courageous and beloved artist who gave us the first million selling LP from an individual, Calypso. From the Amnesty International Prize, the French Légion d'honneur, the Kennedy Center Honors, National Medal of Arts, Grand Marshall of the NYC Pride parade, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to becoming the first living person in over 100 years to have a branch of the NY Public library named after him, the list is endless. His EGOT includes the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Academy Award. Harry was the real thing, a person who truly cared about the arts, his work and the diverse array of people he fought for, never forgetting his humble beginnings. He also possessed the quickest wit and funniest sense of humor of anyone I know. He loved to laugh, loved his friends, his family and beloved wife Pam profoundly. His unique and indelible legacy will continue to inspire for generations. May he rest in peace.”

“Today is extremely difficult with the passing of Mr. Belafonte. I had the honor to spend time and work closely with him starting in 2012, first as production coordinator on a film he was producing, then as his assistant, then a production manager, until finally we found what fit and in 2014 I began working with Carmen and The Gathering for Justice,” said Director of Events and Special Projects, Julianne Hoffenberg. “Mr. Belafonte was the most exceptional man I ever knew - his ability to recognize talent in everyone he met, his unending generosity, the way he quite literally met immigrant taxi drivers from the Caribbean and minutes later was enrolling them in college, or finding them an internship, were inspiring, and emblematic of the quiet way he changed lives. Not to mention, he was simply hilarious - sharing a rum drink and a story with Mr. B were some of the most entertaining and amusing times of my life. He will never be forgotten.”

“When I think about what Mr. Belafonte means to me, to the culture and to the world, he represents the ultimate humanitarian. This is a huge loss to the beloved community.” said Hip Hop artist, actor and activist, Mysonne Linen.” No one will ever fill his shoes, and for those of us he mentored, he has passed the legacy on to us, which is an inspiration to me. I now feel I am charged with carrying his legacy in the artistic work I do every day.”

“This is my edited version of one of my favorite quotes by Mr. Belafonte. I recall being in Balmy Alley with him in the Mission District, a space dedicated to cultural murals. I had previously arranged a radio interview with Sister Soul, a DJ for a Eureka community radio station. Every Sunday, Sister Soul would have a show dedicated to the men in Pelican Bay State Prison and the Security Housing Unit,” said Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos Founder and Executive Director Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez. “This particular program played oldies and discussed politics and incarceration where the state said it housed the worst of the worst in California Prisons. Mr. Belafonte addressed the civil rights movement, the political climate, and mass incarceration. He addressed the violence between Black and Brown and called for unity. He said “We must stop practicing genocide on each other” as he ended his interview. These words were so powerful it had a huge impact on my life and continues to resonate with me as I speak to young people and when I’ve had the privilege to share this message with the people close to me and with the people who are incarcerated. It took a while for the four major groups in Pelican Bay to organize the End Hostilities Agreement, which allowed many to be transferred from the Security Housing Unit to General Population, where now these groups continue to program together. What an impact.” 

On this day, The Gathering for Justice offers our sincere appreciation and sends our heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Belafonte's beloved family, including his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his wife, Pamela Belafonte. The impact of Harry Belafonte's incredible legacy is immeasurable, and his spirit will forever live on in the meaningful work we undertake to create the beloved community. Let us honor his inspiring contributions and draw strength from his example as we strive to make this world a more compassionate and just place for generations to come.

About The Gathering for Justice
The Gathering for Justice is a nonprofit founded in 2005 by Harry Belafonte and led since 2010 by President and CEO Carmen Perez-Jordan. The mission of The Gathering for Justice is to end child incarceration and eliminate the racial inequities that permeate the justice system. The Gathering for Justice has two state-based task forces, Justice League NYC (established in 2013) and Justice League California (established in 2017), both of which bring together juvenile and criminal justice experts, advocates, artists, and individuals who’ve experienced or been impacted by incarceration directly. We believe in an organizing model which draws from diverse communities to utilize our combined power to build the agenda for sustained Black and Brown liberation. In the footsteps of our legendary founder’s activism, The Gathering for Justice and its Justice League state task forces utilize Kingian nonviolence as a social application for systemic change and civic engagement.

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Contact: Christopher Rucas

Telephone: 917.586.5103

press@gatheringforjustice.org