Harry,
To newer generations, you aren’t well known.
Your name may be familiar, but those of younger generations are mostly unaware of your many achievements.
But to many of an older generation, my generation and older,
You are a hero.
An icon.
Your accomplishments are many.
A few of them:
You were the first Black man to win a Tony for Almanac.
You were the first Black man to win an Emmy for An Evening with Belafonte.
Your album Calypso was the first LP to sell a million copies.
You were the first Black man to be a leading man in a non-race picture, even before your friend Sidney Poitier.
You were the first Black guest host of The Tonight Show.
You were one of the first entertainers to publicly support the Civil Rights movement.
When many entertainers both Black and White were afraid to raise their voice against oppression, you spoke as loudly as you sang.
You marched with Dr. King.
You gave money to the cause.
You didn’t hide behind comfort and privilege, but leveraged your fame and fortune to raise up others who were not as fortunate.
Throughout your career, you never stopped agitating for the common good.
You lived a long and courageous life.
You achieved much and sought to lift up others in your wake.
Rest well, knowing that those who know your works will educate those who don’t.
Goodnight, Harry.
Goodnight.