On the cusp of a pivotal 2016 presidential election, Harry Belafonte's Sankofa.org orchestrated a profound intergenerational event that would bring the culture together. The Many Rivers to Cross Festival wasn't just a showcase of musical prowess; it was a confluence of minds and souls, a passing of the torch. Artistry and activism are not just parallel paths but essential ingredients for transformation. #ManyRiversFest #BelafonteLegacy

When The Media tried to spark a beef between Harry Belafonte and HIP-HOP mogul Jay Z, it ended up becoming a catalyst for something bigger. Mr B, ever the master of turning the tide, didn't clap back when Jay Z dropped bars calling him out. Instead, he and Jay Z sat down and hashed it out.

The Result? A powerhouse connection that transformed words into action.

In 2014, as St. Louis burned due to the Ferguson Rebellion, Harry Belafonte worked to convene a private meeting with dozens of youth leaders and organizations central to the struggle. Rather than shunning the young voices, like many elders who made their way to St. Louis during the struggle, Mr. B listened and encouraged the young freedom fighters. Inspiring the next generation of leaders is something Mr. B had done throughout his career; Ferguson was just another example of how Sankofa.org's founder worked behind the scenes to give a voice to those closest to the pain.

Before hashtags became banners for justice, Harry Belafonte was laying the groundwork for a movement that would echo through time. In 2006, Epps, Alabama became a meeting ground for visionaries and activists, a space curated by Mr. B to shine a light on an issue that would define a generation: youth incarceration. He convened a coalition as diverse as it was dynamic—former Black Panthers stood shoulder to shoulder with violence interrupters and the nation's most promising young artists.

In 1988, at the Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute, a politically charged event at Wembley Stadium aimed at amplifying the movement to free Nelson Mandela, Harry Belafonte didn't just work the narrative behind the scenes—he set the stage, literally. For years, Belafonte had championed the fight against Apartheid. Throughout his career, Mr. B blazed a pathway for artists to fight for truth and justice. At this globally broadcast event, he helped usher the next generation of pop stars to center stage to speak out against South Africa's injustices.

Long before 'intersectionality' entered our lexicon, Harry Belafonte was living it, breathing it, and weaving it into the fabric of the fight for justice. His support for Dennis Banks and the American Indian Movement (AIM) wasn't just an act of solidarity; it was a masterstroke in coalition-building. Mr. B understood that the struggle for equality doesn't stop at one community's borders—it's a shared journey across all frontlines. His backing of Banks was a statement, loud and clear: our fights are interconnected, and when we band together, we're unstoppable.

Harry Belafonte's commitment to the movement went far beyond the marches and speeches that captivated the nation; it was in the quiet, steadfast work he did away from the limelight that his impact was deeply felt. Following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Mr. B didn't step back but stepped up—serving as an executor of King's estate and chairing the Memorial Fund. His support for Dr. King's family was unwavering, a testament to his profound sense of accountability and responsibility to those who had stood at the frontlines of change. Long after the spotlight faded, Mr. B remained a backbone for the families of civil rights leaders, ensuring their legacies weren't just remembered but actively honored. He continued to champion civil rights and humanitarian causes across the globe, embodying the role of a true ally who didn't just call for change—he lived it, every day.

In the 1960s, Harry Belafonte's role in the struggle for justice was as pivotal as it was generous. He didn't just lend his voice to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; he fortified it with financial muscle, especially during the crucible of the Birmingham Campaign. In a move that defined solidarity, Mr. B transformed his New York residence into a hUb of advocacy, where Dr. King and Fred Shuttlesworth laid out the blueprint for Birmingham's push for freedom.  It was there that Mr. B with the fire of urgency and the clarity of purpose, rallied support to amass bail funds. His commitment didn't waver when King was confined to a Birmingham cell; instead, Belafonte's resolve only strengthened. Rallying a committee of conscience, he raised a monumental $50,000, ensuring the campaign's heartbeat continued to pulse through the streets of Birmingham.