Thumbing via the Feb. 11, 2006, difficulty of Billboard — a 75th birthday tribute to Clarence Avant — brings again many reminiscences.
Like my first encounter with Clarence someday in 2000. Having heard about this revered gentleman, I occurred to seek out myself standing close to him at an business operate. As I timidly launched myself, he shook my outstretched hand and stated politely, “Sure, you’re employed for that ofay [slang for white] publication.” I had no rapid response to that besides to chuckle (we each did) as a result of he was proper. At the moment, inclusion and fairness — two of Clarence’s lifelong missions — nonetheless weren’t climbing to the highest of the music business’s enterprise charts. And Clarence wasn’t afraid to name out bullshit when he noticed it.
Or when Clarence noticed me having breakfast one morning and summoned me to his desk. He relayed how disenchanted he was in a serious label govt who’d wrongly accused me of all the time writing negatively about him and his firm. He didn’t need to (and I used to be unaware till he informed me), however Clarence took it upon himself to step in, admonish the manager and set issues straight … an instance of his storied brokering, mentoring and counseling behind the scenes — and by no means accomplished for public credit score.
And when Clarence’s youngsters Nicole and Alex reached out about stunning their father with a birthday salute in Billboard. I watched and listened intently as an unsuspecting Clarence seemed again at his life and profession — from rising up a humble nation boy to changing into the pioneering godfather to the Black music group. Throughout that interview, I noticed and felt the unwavering ardour, perseverance, dedication, pleasure and, sure, the cuss-peppered anger and frustration that drove Clarence as he labored throughout business aisles advocating for alternative and parity.
“I did it as a result of there was nobody else out right here doing it,” he declared in 2006. “Black people [in this industry] had by no means had anyone they may speak to. The white boys would solely quit a lot info. My doorways had been open. And I acquired concerned.”
From then on, we’d chat over lunches or periodic just-checking-in telephone calls throughout which the impish raconteur would regale me with colourful tales concerning the business and different circles that he traveled in, from philanthropy to politics. And if I wanted perspective for a narrative that I used to be engaged on, a beneficiant Clarence would all the time take my name.
The final time I noticed him was in April on the dedication ceremony for the South Los Angeles facility named after his beautiful spouse, the Jacqueline Avant Youngsters and Household Heart. It was each a joyous and really emotional event for the noticeably frailer business large. However Clarence nonetheless possessed his signature sly, mischievous grin and joking banter.
I joined the Clarence Avant fan membership later than most. Nevertheless, I’m grateful for the dear occasions we spent collectively. And for the important thing lesson he taught me, which I’ll proceed to embrace in his honor: Hold paying it ahead.
