Jacqueline Avant Biography – Jacqueline Avant Wiki
Jacqueline Avant born Jacqueline “Jackie” Alberta Gray was a philanthropist and the wife of Clarence Avant who is an American music executive, entrepreneur, and film producer, who also goes by the name of “The Black Godfather”. Jackie was a former Ebony Fashion Fair model known for her philanthropy. She served as president of the Neighbors of Watts, the support group for the South Central Community Child Care Center in 1975, entertainment chairman of the NOW benefit auction and dinner dance, and chairwoman of NOW membership in 1974. She was also on the board of directors of the International Student Center at UCLA.
Her husband, Clarence Avant is known as the “Godfather of Black Music,” is a pioneering dealmaker and Grammy-winning exec who has mentored and helped launch the careers of countless artists in the music and entertainment industries, including Little Willie John, Bill Withers, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, L.A. Reid, and Babyface.
Working as a manager, label owner, concert organizer and event producer, he created the first African American-owned FM radio station in metropolitan Los Angeles during the 1970s and founded Sussex Records in 1969 and Tabu Records in 1976 before becoming chair of Motown Records in 1993.
His life and legacy were chronicled on-screen in the 2019 Netflix doc The Black Godfather, which was produced by daughter Nicole and explored how Avant championed impressive deals for Black talent through the narrations of Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Snoop Dogg, and more. In May, he was announced as the recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jacqueline also featured in the Movie: The Black Godfather.
Jacqueline Avant Age
She was shot and killed on December 1, 2021, at age 81, during a home invasion at the couple’s home in Beverly Hills, California.
Jacqueline Avant Husband
She got married to her husband Clarence Avant in 1967. Her husband majorly known as The Black Godfather is an American music executive, entrepreneur, and film producer. The couple had two children together who are adults.
Jacqueline Avant Children
The couple has two children, former United States Ambassador to the Bahamas Nicole Avant (born March 6, 1968) and Alexander Du Bois Avant (born August 3, 1971). Nicole Avant is married to Netflix co-CEO and chief content officer Ted Sarandos.
Jacqueline Avant Death
She was shot and killed on December 1, 2021, at age 81, during a home invasion at the couple’s home in Beverly Hills, California.
A statement shared by the Avant family read: “Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother, philanthropist, and a 55-year resident of Beverly Hills, who has made an immeasurable positive contribution and impact on the arts community,” said Stainbrook. “She will be missed by her family, friends, and all of the people she has helped throughout her amazing life.”
“I don’t think it’s a random attack,” said Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “Crime of any type will not be tolerated and we will not rest until the suspect or suspects are brought to justice.”
Stainbrook said the investigation was “very fluid” and encouraged the public to come forward with any relevant information. He also said it was too early to speculate what the motive was or whether the shooting was part of a robbery attempt.
According to documents provided to The Hollywood Reporter by the Beverly Hills Police Department, its communications center received a call at 2:23 a.m. in response to a shooting in the 1100 block of Maytor Place, in the high-end Trousdale Estates neighborhood. Upon arrival, police discovered a victim with a gunshot wound; the person was transported to Cedars-Sinai hospital but did not survive.
The report confirmed the suspect(s) were no longer on the scene when police arrived.
Jacqueline Avant Cause of Death
She was shot and killed on December 1, 2021, at age 81, during a home invasion at the couple’s home in Beverly Hills, California.
