On this anniversary, we remember Harry Belafonte’s pivotal role in the March on Washington

Today is the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which is remembered by many as the place where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The late singer, actor, and activist Harry Belafonte (1927-2023) was there that day, and, as a close friend and confidant of Dr. King, Belafonte helped to fund, organize, and publicize many important events of the Black freedom movement, including the March.

To mobilize the cultural force behind the cause—Dr. King saw that as hugely strategic.

Not long before Dr. King rose to give his iconic speech, Belafonte took to the podium to read a statement on behalf of the “cultural contingent” of 1,500 artists, writers, and entertainment industry leaders who supported the cause of civil rights:

In a 2013 oral history interview, Belafonte explained his role, “To mobilize the cultural force behind the cause—Dr. King saw that as hugely strategic. We use celebrity to the advantage of everything. Why not to the advantage of those who need to be liberated? My job was to convince the icons in the arts that they needed to have a presence in Washington on that day.”

JustLeadershipUSA is deeply grateful for the legacy of Harry Belafonte, and we look forward to honoring him at our 10th Anniversary Benefit Gala in New York City on Monday, October 21. Carmen Perez-Jordan, the President and CEO of Belafonte’s organization The Gathering for Justice, will be there to receive that honor and recognition on behalf of Mr. Belafonte. We hope you will join us!

Sponsor or Donate to JLUSA’s 10th Anniversary Gala