She was a model for the acclaimed Ebony magazine at just 15 years old. She made her film debut in one of the first major studio films to feature a Black cast, “Carmen Jones”, and later appeared in the film version of “Porgy and Bess”. She was the first Black actress to garner a Tony Award for her lead performance in the musical, “No Strings”. She was the first Black actress to star in her own television series portraying a widowed nurse and mother of a son in “Julia”, won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her work on the show, and was nominated for an Emmy Award. She has made countless television variety show appearances. She is a celebrated singer, nominated for a Grammy in 1966 for one of her many solo albums. For her stunning performance in the now classic film “Claudine”, she was nominated for an Academy Award. She affectionately calls herself the first Black bitch on television for her role as Dominique Devereaux in the 80’s, still in syndication, late night soap opera, “Dynasty”. And she didn’t let up after that. She had a recurring role as Whitley Gilbert’s mother in the hit television series, “A Different World”, a supporting role in the hugely favorited film, “The Five Heartbeats”, and lent her incredible talent to the 1999 film “Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years”. In 2001 she made her animation debut as the voice of Queen La in “The Legend of Tarzan”, and in 2011 she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. She’s a mother, a breast cancer survivor and activist. Her career spans six decades. She is a legend and an icon, and her name is Ms. Diahann Carroll.
Why do I say she put the “D” in Diva? Well first of all, let me say, there are many perceptions of the word “Diva”. The type of Diva that I’m referring to here, is a woman who enters a room and her presence alone announces her; well-dressed, well-coiffed, well-spoken, witty and intelligent, completely comfortable in her own skin, able to hold her own with anyone she encounters and second-to-none in her league of peers. This Diva was and is in a class all by herself. This being Black History Month, I felt it appropriate to honor a Black person of note, especially a Black woman of note.
Growing up in the 60’s, my parents worked hard to instill in my brother and I, high morals, values and standards, and so they were careful to monitor who we might identify more with. And as children, we were only allowed to watch television when someone Black was on a show. They wanted us to be fully aware of and exposed to both races. It was equal opportunity identification in the Bohannon household! But as you can imagine, back then, that proved quite difficult. But not as much as you would think. I grew up watching those role models in our culture that my parents believed delivered on their ideals. People like Sidney Poitier, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, and yes, Ms. Diahann Carroll, who was a beautiful celebrity figure I very much looked up to and wanted to emulate. She was total glamour. When I would see her singing on variety shows, she was always stunning, poised and graceful, and most importantly, she pulled you in and captivated you as she told a story with her delivery of a song. When interviewed, she was pleasant, classy and sassy, representing Black women everywhere in the highest form. Next to my Mom, she was my standard; my role model, for how I wanted to show up in the world. I loved and adored her then, and I love and adore her now.
Here’s a toast to a woman who lived passionately and fabulously, always embodying love, grace, class and style.
