Even a temporary black out in Beverly Hills could not prevent over 800 people from arriving at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to attend the annual Brotherhood Crusade's* Pioneer of African American Achievement Award Dinner. On Friday, Nov 5th, the evening's event honored the incomparable Song Stylist, Miss Nancy Wilson - who actively broke down the racial barriers and negative stereotypical images of Black Women, paving the way for so many in the radio/television/music/film/ industry. From the looks of the diverse crowd, most all would have stayed even if to enjoy the event via candle light,because everyone in attendance truly was smitten by the legendary Miss Nancy Wilson.
President and CEO, Charisse Bremond -Weaver, continues to take large strides forward, carrying the baton that was passed on to her via her father, the founder of the Brotherhood Crusade, the late Walter Bremond. Mr. Bremond in conjunction with past President, Danny J. Bakewell Sr** consciously set the pace for Mrs. Bremond-Weaver .
The City of Los Angeles' Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa personally presented Nancy Wilson with a proclamation.Miss Wilson was surrounded by people who truly love her - her daughter and son in-law, as well as long time friend, Congresswoman Diane Watson. Chris Shauble was the Master of Ceremony and Patti Austin serenaded the audience with her melliflous vocals for the evening and it was wonderful! (photo L-R Danny Bakewell Sr., Charrise Bremond-Weaver, Nancy Wilson, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa)
There were so many people there happily celebrating this momentous event - Sir Sidney Poitier, Berry Gordy Jr., Florence LaRue, Bill Duke, Arsenio Hall, Dawnn Lewis, Congresswoman Elect - Karen Bass, Dr. Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Councilmember Bernard C. Parks,
Wendy Greuel, LA City Controller, Dominique DiPrima,Guillermo Cespedes, along with state, and local governmental and civic leaders.
I was fortunate enough to sit down and talk briefly with Miss Nancy Wilson.
Carla: "Who instilled faith, courage and wisdom into your life?"
Nancy Wilson: " I was fortunate to have 3 sets of grandparents (I was raised Apostolic) that instilled faith, courage and wisdom into me at an early age. They lovingly guided me."
Born the first of six children to Olden Wilson and Lillian Ryan, in Chillicothe, Ohio, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Miss Nancy's three sets of grandparents instilled life's lessons that placed
her feet firmly on the path that she selected, allowing her to visualize early, on the road of life, what would become her reality. By the time she was 4 years old, she knew that she wanted to be a singer. At the tender age of 8 years old, Miss Wilson said, "God told me that I had a gift."
Knowing that she was being led by faith, it allowed her to have the courage to pursue her dreams. At the ripe age of 15, Miss Wilson's professional career was launched via her own local t.v. show entitled "Skyline Melody". Week after week, doors continued to open for Miss Wilson. She met the late Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, who recognized her talent, which led to an opportunity to fill in for Irene Reid, in New York at The Blue Morocco. It was a huge success!
Once getting a venue lined up, a call was made to John Levy, the man that managed Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's career - the man that Miss Wilson needed to manage her career - asking him to stop by The Blue Morocco to see her perform. John Levy did stop by the Blue Morocco.
Miss Wilson went on to say:
"John called me the very next day. He set up a session to record a demo, Nancy recalls.“Ray Bryant and I went in and recorded “Guess Who I Saw Today,” “Sometimes I’m Happy,” and two other songs. We sent them to Capitol and within five days the phone rang. Within six weeks I had all the things I wanted.”
I call that the power of visualization.
Nancy Wilson and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley recorded an album in 1962. Nancy Wilson: "I started singing the song, Guess Who I Saw Today at the age of 17 and people would say, ' What do you know about that?' and I'd say, "You don't have to be old to recognize hurt."
Carla: "I hear you. Thank you, Miss Nancy Wilson, for sharing your wisdom and gift of voice with so many."
Nancy Wilson: "Thank you, Darling."
Miss Wilson kept on climbing higher and higher, winning her first GRAMMY® in 1964 for “How Glad I Am” and her second GRAMMY® Award in 2005, for Best Jazz Vocal Album and the 2005 NAACP Image Award for Best Jazz Artist. She released her 70th album, the GRAMMY® Award-winning Turned to Blue, in 2006. Whenever Danny Bakewell Sr. reached out to Miss Wilson, requesting her help in opening doors for the Brotherhood Crusade; she never hesitated to assist those in less advantaged communities with the odds stacked against them - never forgetting to reach back and help those who were placed on a bumpy road of life, helping to smooth the surface as often as possible, giving back her time and financial support, working shoulder to shoulder, preparing our youth with the proper skills to build a brighter future, with faith, courage and wisdom.
Miss Nancy Wilson's current release is available on line at Amazon.com and in stores now - The CD is called Nancy Wilson Turned to Blue.
Love, C
*Charisse Bremond - Weaver, President and CEO, - The Brotherhood Crusade, founded in 1968, is a 501(c)3 non-profit institution
**Danny Bakewell Sr., Developer, Businessman, Financier, Community Activist, Humanitarian and owner of the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper
Ginger Campbell, President - Snap Productions - Thank you
Charles Bush - Photographer 2006 All photos are the sole property of Charles Bush and Miss Nancy Wilson unless otherwise notedMiss Nancy Wilson, Song Stylist CD - MCG Jazz Company 2006
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