The Godfather of Black Music, Clarence Alexander Avant, was married to Jacqueline “Jackie” Alberta Gray for more than two decades and had two beautiful children together. We take a deep dive into their lives in this article.
The American entrepreneur, film producer and music executive has made tremendous contributions to the music industry. He began his career in the 1960s and since then he has been described as the Godfather of Black Music or The Black Godfather.
He spent the majority of his career in the music business. Aside from his marvellous work in the music industry, Clarence Avant was a family man. He got married to Jacqueline Alberta Gray. Read more about his personal life below.
Who Was Clarence Avant Married to?
The Godfather of Black Music whose real name is Clarence Alexander Avant was born on 25th February 1932 in Greensboro, North Carolina.
He was the oldest of eight children and he had his early childhood education in Greensboro attending the Dudley High School. In 1947, as a teenager, Avant moved to New Jersey and began life as a store clerk.
By 1950 his interest shifted to the music industry by managing Teddy P’s Lounge in New Jersey. Throughout that time he began to meet new and established names in the music industry.
Clarence Avant was mentored by one of the top managers in the game by name Joseph Glaser. Thanks to him, Clarence Avant went landed deals with RnB singer Little Willie Jon.
A few years on, Clarence became very rich and good at what he does. He established his own company Avant-Grade Enterprise in 1962 November. 5 years after, Clarence got married to a beautiful damsel by the name of Jacqueline Alberta Gray.
So, Who was Clarence Avant’s Wife, Jacqueline Alberta Gray or Jacqueline Avant?
Jacqueline Avant was the wife of American businessman and music executive, Clarence Avant. The couple got married in 1967 in a beautiful and simple wedding ceremony.
Jacqueline Avant was described as a Los Angeles philanthropist and community activist. She was someone who engaged in a lot of philanthropic activities which was centred on community service and the arts.
In 1975, she volunteered to serve as President of Neighbor Watts; a support group for the South Central Community Child Care Centre. She was also on the board of directors of the International Student Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Clarence Avant was born on 6th March 1940 in Jamaica, Queens, New York. She was raised in a middle-class family by a father who worked as a postman and her mother was a housewife. After graduation, she began work as a teacher and later became a guidance counsellor.
Jacqueline and Clarence Avant have been married for more than 50 years and they were blessed with two children, a son and a daughter.
Sadly, on December 21, 2021, Jacqueline Avant was shot and killed during a home invasion at the couple’s residence in Beverly Hills, California.
Who is Nicole Avant?
Nicole Avant is the daughter of Jacqueline and Clarence Avant, “The Godfather of Black Music”. She is an American producer and politician. She was born on her mother’s 28th birthday which is 6th March 1968.
She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1986. Four years later, she completed California State University with a B. A in Communication. She started her career by working for the promotion division of AnM Records in Los Angeles.
In 2006, she became Southern California finance co-chairwoman for the Barack Obama presidential campaign in 2008. After the victory of Barack Obama in the 2008 election, Nicole Avant was made U.S. Ambassador to Bahama on June 16 2009. She was sworn in on 22nd October 2009 and served until 21st November 2011.
Nicole is married to Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix.
Who is Alexander Devore Avant?
Alexander Avant is the son of Clarence Avant, The Godfather of Black and Jacqueline Avant. He was born on 3rd August 1971 in Los Angeles. Alexander Devore Avant is a strong Christian.
He is an actor, writer and producer in the industry. Little information is available concerning the marriage life of Alexander Devore Avant. He is a very private person.