directed the film that is now in contention for Emmy nominations. In the documentary, an incredible array of luminaries testify to the ways Clarence dramatically impacted their fortunes, becoming, in effect, their godfather. In the 1960s, for instance, Avant orchestrated NFL great Jim Brown’s audacious transition from football to movie stardom.
When Hank Aaron was bearing down on Babe Ruth’s Major League home run record in 1974, Avant volunteered to help the Atlanta Braves slugger land endorsement deals and business opportunities. One of them was with Coca-Cola, a deal Avant brokered when he met with Coke’s president and forcefully told him he ought to be in business with Hammerin’ Hank.The Black GodfatherOne of Avant’s greatest areas of influence has been in the record business.
“That was terrorism every day, different forms of terrorism,” Nicole Avant observes. “I think my father worked through a lot of his trauma…through giving to so many people. I think it helped him work through seeing his friends killed for being Black…He didn’t see a therapist. He didn’t ‘talk it through,’ so I think by making dreams for other people come true and giving back and trying to do something with such negativity, that was his healing.
“Clarence is an inspiration to a whole generation because he’s a guy who’s always fighting for what’s right,” Hudlin tells Deadline. “He’s certainly fighting for Black people, but he’s fighting for justice for everybody.”
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