...a tribute.

Photo credit: Damon Winter, 2013, The New York Times 

Welcome!

Welcome to the evolving hub dedicated to Harry Belafonte – commemorating his life, artistry, and indelible legacy.

There is a vast collection of assorted media - audio, visual, word -  available on-line and elsewhere on Mr. B.  There are many stories and songs and soundbites repeated. Many links to them will be found here. But you'll also find some treasures. 

This site has been a back-burner project for a number of years, and I expect it will be huge - so I say "evolving" as this is only the beginning. 

This is my celebration of one remarkable human being, with the hopes and wishes that his influence will continue to resonate across the generations.

jump on in, the water is fine!

In The News

Harlem pays tribute: 135th Street to be renamed in honor of Harry Belafonte

Update: I had posted here that I had seen two petitions asking for names - but neither lasted long. It turns out, more than enough names were gathered... Date of the new sign installation yet to be determined. 


"A portion of 135th Street in Harlem will soon be renamed in honor of civil rights activist Harry Belafonte.The renaming honors Belafonte’s deep connection to Harlem, where his work both on and off the screen continues to inspire new generations to come. " 

August 14, 2025 - AMNY.com - Harlem pays tribute: 135th Street to be renamed in honor of Harry Belafonte 

Sunday Best

Sunday Best is a new documentary (premieres July 21, 2025) on Netflix that "examines the groundbreaking career of pioneering television host Ed Sullivan, focusing on his platforming of Black musicians during the civil rights era."(imbd)

Now more than ever, we need reminders that music, art, and solidarity can heal and transform us. Sunday Best renewed my faith as an artist that hope and change are not just possible; they are attainable. We need to believe that we can, especially now.  
from Documentary Review: Netflix’s Sunday Best: Ed Sullivan’s Bold Stand for Black Brilliance and Civil Rights

Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan is an engrossing film that shines a light on an important part of our history and also reveals a deeper side to a celebrated television icon. from “Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan”

African Voices

The Summer/Fall 2025 edition of African Voices is out. 

It is a "Harry Belafonte Tribute Issue" -  honoring the art and activism of Harry Belafonte -  guest edited by poet/author/artist Keisha-Gaye Anderson.

City Buzz: African Voices Magazine Honors Harry Belafonte’s Legacy with Special Issue and Exhibition

You can order a copy of the magazine here

Following Harry movie image

Following Harry

This is the second in a series of three films (?) - the first, My Song, was an autobiographical look at Mr. B.  This one follows him as he lays the grounds for his humanitarian work to continue. Footage was shot and the film was in post-production at the time of Mr. B's death. 

Following Harry premiered at the Trifecta Film Festival in June of 2024. It has made appearances at some film festivals since - but if you are not near those hubs, it may take a while to get to.

Watch the official trailer here

Visit the film's web page for Upcoming Events, or sign up for more information here

SO WORH IT:  Amazing conversation with key members of the Following Harry film, including film maker Susanne Rostock, actor and humanitarian Jesse Williams, and President and CEO of  The Gathering For Justice, Carmen Perez-Jordan

A Review - Culture Mix

CNN movie follow-up: How Harry Belafonte's legacy is inspiring a younger generation - video with Carmen Perez-Jordan and Aloe Blaac

A film review from Next Best Picture 

Office wall photo for auction

A Legacy Remembered - up for auction.

March, 2025 - I know I'm not the only one who had a hard time processing my gut reaction about this concept - almost 400 artifacts from Mr. B's life, up for sale to the highest bidder. Awards, artwork, personal notes, musical instruments, shoes, ties, etc.

I have chosen to believe that offering these things to the public was a way of sharing a bit of Mr. B. with the rest of the world.

The auction is over, but the site is worth a visit - a deep-dive into a fascinating history. 

    Harry Belafonte - A Man of Action

    I totally missed this, but there was a part II:

    2025 Best Song for Social Change Award

    January 2025 - "The Recording Academy has selected the powerful anthem for unity, “Deliver”—written by Iman Jordan (performer), Roy Gartrell, Tam Jones, and Ariel Loh—as the recipient of its Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award this year."

    Link to Deliver

    July 2024 - The Recording Academy renamed its two-year-old Best Song for Social Change Special Merit Award in honour of the late Harry Belafonte, who was a powerful voice for social justice throughout his career, to Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award. From Billboard 

    Perhaps a Grammy response to "The Grammy Snub" - where Shari and Gina Belafonte both took to social media rightfully criticizing the lack of tribute to their dad at the 2024 Grammys?

    Shari & Gina with their dad

    The Grammy Snub

    "My father's music touched so many lives, and his humanitarian efforts changed the world. His memory deserves to be honored with the same passion and dedication that he brought to his life's work." -  ~ Shari Belafonte

    As my friend Albert wrote: "Bless Shari for putting the sheer magnitude of this colossal snub in full perspective."

    February, 2024

    Grammys Criticism Arises As Harry Belafonte's Family Speaks Out

    Harry Belafonte’s Daughters Criticize Grammys for Not Doing More to Recognize Singer During Ceremony

    Date Changes
    August 16, 2025 Added Following Harry & Sometimes I Look At My Life to Documentaries
    Updated News
    Hid "Fun Facts" to take time to make responsive
    Added Google Analytics & Cookies pop-up - with apologies... Had to be done.
    July 19, 2025 Added Betty's Story to Community
    Few new stories top of this page, created "Older News" section
    Moved 2024 "Celebration of Life" section to Tributes
    June 29, 2025 Added Tiziano's Story to Community
    Added link to The Tonight Show interview with RFK in Resources
    April 20, 2025 General cleaning & tweaking
    April 3, 2025 Added "Fun Facts" to Enjoy (a start:)
    March 16, 2025 Added "Documentaries" section to Resources page.

    Broken Links? It's bound to happen... Please let me know and I will remove or resolve.