Jessie Terry was a civic leader in the Los Angeles African American community. Alfred Grant was one of the most suave, talented actors of Black Cinema and Golden Era Hollywood. He had quite a powerful presence on screen. He was the tough, macho type but still romantic. He could play any role there was and had an actor's voice if ever there was one; powerful, distinct, soothing and convincing. Floyd Covington was a leader of the black community in Los Angeles black. He earned a BA in sociology from Washburn College (1923), and an MA in sociology and economics from the University of Pittsburgh (1928). In the 1930s, Floyd C. Covington was a social worker, and later became the executive director of the Los Angeles branch of the National Urban League from 1931-1950; later he was the racial relations advisor with the Federal Housing Administration from 1950-1975. He was known as an important civic leader in Los Angeles, a "go to" guy. Black prominent citizens on a sound stage at Hollywood Productions - Negro Movie Co. The occasion was a dinner to honor actress Laura Bowman. From left: Floyd Covington, Alfred Grant, Lottie Gee (?) (or Ivy McFarland?), Clarence Muse, Laura Bowman, unidentified woman, Jessie Terry, Charlotta A. Bass, Gussie L. Hayes Morris, Earl J. Morris, and Mrs. Hayes (mother of Gussie). The event was reported in the Los Angeles Sentinel, 14 Dec. 1939: 4. Laura Bowman was one of America’s first dramatic actresses, and was celebrated for her performance in the all African American play “Anna Lucasta.” Along with acting she was a talented singer. She had a 56 year long career on stage and in film. Clarence Muse was an African American vaudevillian, actor, singer, screenwriter, director, composer, and lawyer. Muse was the first African American to "star" in a film. He acted for more than sixty years, and appeared in more than 200 movies. Hollywood Productions - Negro Movie Co., founded in 1939, was among the first, fledgling film production companies staring, and controlled by African American actors, producers, directors, and composers. It was located at 6040 Sunset Blvd. Earl J. Morris was a correspondent for the Los Angeles Sentinel, and the director of publicity for Hollywood Productions. Charlotta Bass was the publisher of the California Eagle newspaper from 1912 to 1951, and a civil rights activist. The California Eagle, covering Los Angeles' African-American community, was one of the oldest and longest running African American newspapers. Lottie Gee was a singer who performed in London vaudeville and who popularized the songs "Love will find the way" and "I'm just wild about Harry" in the Broadway musical "Shuffle Along." Written on back of photo: Hollywood Productions (1939) Negro Company 6040 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood Calif. From Left: 1) Floyd Covington, 2) A.....Grant, 3) Lottie Gee or Ivy McFarland, 4) Clarence Muse, 5) Laura Bowman, 6) .........., 7: Jessie Terry, 8) Charlotta A. Bass, 9) Mrs. Earl (Gussie Hayes) Morris, 10) Earl J. Morris, 11) Mrs.....Hayes, (Mother of Gussie H. Morris.
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b22_f10_001a.tif ark:/21198/z14x6s07
Subject
African American actors Civic leaders African American singers African American actresses Motion picture producers and directors Morris, Gussie Louise Hayes, 1910-2000 Terry, Jessie, 1885-1973 Hollywood Productions (Firm) Grant, Alfred, 1912-1984 Bass, Charlotta A., 1880-1969 Bowman, Laura, 1881-1957 Morris, Earl J. (Earl James), b. 1905 Covington, Floyd C., 1901-1989 Muse, Clarence Gee, Lottie, 1886-1973
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