by Kiki
Mahalia Jackson sunrise 10/26/1911 New Orleans, LA, sunset 1/27/1972 Evergreen Park, IL.
Singer, songwriter, actress, civil rights activist.
Preacher’s kid.
The Queen of Gospel.
Never sang secular music.
Harry Belafonte said she was “. . .the single most powerful black woman in the United States.”
Toured with Thomas A. Dorsey, Father of Gospel Music.
In 1950 became the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Sang Take my hand precious Lord at Martin Luther King’s funeral.
Discovered Della Reese.
Is credited with prompting MLK Jr. to go extemporaneous with his I have a Dream speech at the March on Washington in 1963, by saying from the stage: “tell them about the dream Martin.”
Peace, love, joy, gratitude, faith, courage, compassion, and blessings.
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