Friday, March 29, 2024

President Obama Honors 4 Black Americans With Medals of Freedom

Michelle and Barack Obama meet Bruce Springsteen before the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Michelle and Barack Obama meet Bruce Springsteen before the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Typically, the latest Hollywood news is filled with celebrities of all ages doing something scandalous, getting divorced, living a glamorous life, or getting institutionalized after having a nervous breakdown in the middle of a concert. The tabloids, television shows, and paparazzi that follow and report the latest celebrity news never run out of things to cover, and in these dark times, business is booming: the celebrity news industry rakes in more than $3 billion per year.

Fortunately, there’s positive celebrity news for black gossip sites to report, too. Thanks, Obama.

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 21 recipients, the majority of them celebrities in the public eye. This medal is the highest civilian honor available to an American citizen, and is bestowed upon an individual who the president believes has made praise-worthy contributions to the country. These contributions could be anything dealing with national security, science, world peace, athleticism, or cultural endeavors to name a few.

black celebrity gossip

Of the 21 recipients Obama chose, four were black. Unsurprisingly, most celebrity gossip sites reported on Tom Hanks and a teary-eyed Ellen Degeneres, but you can count on black gossip sites to report what TMZ doesn’t. Here’s more information on the black recipients of the honor, the last recipients Obama will ever name.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Abdul-Jabbar is a retired professional basketball player who played in 20 seasons for the National Basketball Association.. He is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was a six-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and a 19-time NBA All Star. On top of his noteworthy basketball career, Abdul-Jabbar has been an outspoken advocate for social and racial justice.

Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson is an actress who has performed on stage, television, and film. Throughout her career she has won two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. She is best known for her outstanding performances in Sounder, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, and The Help. In 2015, Tyson received the Kennedy Center Honors.

Michael Jordan

Jordan, another basketball star, is known to be one of the greatest athletes of all time. Not only did he play 15 seasons in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, he currently owns the Charlotte Hornets. His legendary career saw him earn five MVP awards and six national championships.

Diana Ross

Ross, a former member of the singing trio The Supremes, has led an iconic career spanning more than 50 years. She has been involved with endeavors in the music, film, television, theater, and fashion worlds. Even if you don’t see her name in the latest celebrity news, she’s one of the most legendary stars living today. Ross has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2007 Kennedy Center Honors in recent years.

While millions of Americans are sad to see Barack and Michelle Obama leave the White House, Obama’s diverse choices can stand as a symbol of enduring pride for many Americans.

 

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