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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NOTABLE MOMENTS IN BLACK ARTS MORIBA CUMMINGS | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR | MORIBACUMMINGS@YAHOO.COM In the contemporary landscape that we now live in, viral videos and scandalous headlines tend to serve as diversions to what lies in the essence of our culture. As a community that boasts one of the richest and relentless historical timelines in existence, it is imperative that we remind ourselves that we come from greatness. In that vain, here are 10 of the most notable moments in Black arts throughout the years. WHITNEY HOUSTON: FIRST FEMALE SINGER TO HAVE A NO. 1 ALBUM DEBUT Before the likes of Beyonce and Alicia Keys were breaking records on the Billboard charts, “The Voice," Whitney Houston, set the standard. On June 27, 1987, the iconic songstress became the first female artist in music history to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with her self titled album, “Whitney." In addition to the success of the now legendary body of work, the LP's lead single, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” proved to be a breakout hit for the singer, snagging the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. If that wasn’t history enough, Houston became the first female artist to generate four No. 1 singles from one album. ETTA MOTEN BARNETT: FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO PERFORM AT THE WHITE HOUSE Opening the door for today’s regular African-American White House performers such as Be yonce, John Legend, and Jennifer Hudson, Broadway star Etta Moten Barnett was the very first to serenade the leader of the free world. On Jan. 31,1943, Barnett sang at the birthday party for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, making her the first African-American individual to perform at 1600 Penn. Ave. She performed “Remember My Forgotten Man,” which she also sang in the movie “Gold Diggers of 1933,” but failed to be recognized for her efforts in the film’s credits. SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NELSON MANDELA'S RELEASE Though world leader Nelson Mandela has recently passed, his legacy and efforts for equal rights live on. On Feb. 2, 1990, South African president F. W. de Klerk announced the he would release a then imprisoned Mandela, and, furthermore, lift the country's ban on mem bership in the African National Congress. Four years later, Mandela took the reigns, winning the presidency in South Africa’s very first all-inclusive elections. After spearheading the mon umental strides made in equal rights for Blacks, the political leader opted out of another run for presidency. A then 80-year-old Mandela decided to retire from public life. TONI MORRISON WINS A PULITZER PRIZE FOR BELOVED’ Setting the standard for contemporary literary excellence, acclaimed author Toni Morrison was awarded a Pulitzer Prize on March 31, 1988. Awarded for her now iconic novel Beloved, a heart wrenching tale of a former slave, Morrison made this feat the first of many. Five years later, she won the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature, further cementing her role as a liter ary laureate. RAY CHARLES RECEIVES APOLOGY AFTER REFUSING TO PERFORM FOR WHITE-ONLY CROWD Soul music pioneer Ray Charles proved in 1961 that segregation served as more of a detri ment than a catalyst for change when he refused to perform to a white-only audience. The event, held in August, Ga., was advertised simply as a dance, but Charles soon discovered that white patrons were set to see him perform, while Black attendees were downgraded to the balcony of the Music Hall. Following his sudden cancellation, the event promoter sued Charles for $757 the following year. However, in 1979, a formal apology was issued to the singer. THE COSBY SHOW’S BIG DEBUT We’re all guilty of catching the weekend marathons on BET and Centric, but what is now considered a staple of Black family programming made its on air debut approximately 30 years ago! Crowned as television’s biggest hit in the 1980s by TV Guide magazine, The Cosby Show made its big debut on Sept. 20, 1984 atop the Nielsen ratings charts. This was only the beginning. The series held on to that spot for five consecutive seasons, and fea tured several high profile figures in arts and entertainment, including Stevie Wonder, Lena Horne, and Alicia Keys. ATLANTA INTRODUCES AMERICA’S FIRST BLACK-OWED RADIO STATION Today, Black radio programming seems like second nature to everyday American citizens, especially southerners. However, more than 60 years ago, this was simply just a dream. After almost 20 years of failed attempts by African-American entrepreneurs to purchase a station, Jesse B. Blayton Sr. went out on a limb and opened the first Black-owned radio station called WERD in October of 1949. Blayton was no stranger to writing the history books. In 1928, he became Georgia’s first African-American certified public accountant, and even taught at Atlanta University, now known as Clark Atlanta University. MC LYTE: FIRST SOLO FEMALE RAPPER TO DROP AN ALBUM While today, MC Lyte, born Lana Michelle Moorer, is known mostly for her voice - she has served as the primary moderator and announcer for most of BET’s award show program ming for years - she was, and still is, a pioneer in the world of female hip hop. In 1988, MC Lyte became the first solo female rapper to release an album with her heavily acclaimed LP "Lyte as a Rock." Spawning hits including “Paper Thin” and “10% Dis,” the album proved that Lyte is indeed one of rap’s all time greats. MJ GOES SEVEN-TIMES-PLATINUM In a feat that is scarcely seen today, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, added multi-platinum artist to his resume as his double album “History: Past, Present and Future, Book I” was certified a whopping seven-times platinum on October 22, 1999. The legendary double disc project was released on July 16, 1995, and was the inaugural album released on his own label, MJJ Productions. "History" produced some of Jackson's most widely known hits including “You Are Not Alone," “They Don't Care About Us,” and "Scream” featuring his sister, Janet Jackson. SIDNEY POITIER: FIRST BLACK MAN TO WIN OSCAR FOR BEST ACTOR Before there was Denzel, there was Sidney. In 1963, the highly respected actor became the first African-American male to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film, “Lilies of the Field.” In the movie, Poitier played the role of a construction worker who helped build a chapel. With his groundbreaking Oscar win for “Lilies of the Field," he became only the second African-American in history to win an Academy Award. The first was Hattie Mc Daniel, who took home the Oscar in the category of Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind.”