Legacy

DIAHANN CARROLL

It is with heavy hearts that we learned of the passing of our sister Suzanne’s mother, trailblazing and iconic actress—Ms. Diahann Carroll, who was also a part of our lives. She was a sister, a friend, and a colleague of our parents.

Ms. Carroll broke barriers that others didn’t know needed to be broken. And yes, she was extraordinarily beautiful. Every man crushed on her and every woman wanted to be her. It was her boldness, her fortitude, her drive to knock the lid off the box into which we were held. Ms. Carroll elevated the opportunities available to Black actresses. The barriers didn’t just crumble when she touched them; she busted them down with graceful force. And in doing so, she created a whole new mold for the modern Black woman.

Ms. Diahann Carroll forged ahead, becoming the first black woman in a television series who was not a servant. Understanding how one-dimensionally we were seen in the media, that we were confined and limited to playing likable, non-threatening characters, she reclaimed our power to play a “black bitch” on the 80s mega-hit Dynasty. She too wanted the flexibility to be cutting edge, snobbish, ambitious, even ruthless- qualities that had been reserved for whites only. In creating this new mold for black women actresses, she further empowered every day black women to push their own boundaries and their own lives. We, Daughters of the Movement, like many other black women, are the beneficiaries of her work. While we honor Auntie Diahann's accomplishments in the Movement, we also cherish her legacy. It is however her role as a member of our extended family that we will remember most.

“By taking action and doing something positive, fear is replaced with hope.”

Diahann Carroll

When we came together as a group almost two years ago, we sought to provide a sisterhood for one another. We recognized that as daughters of civil rights activists, strategists, funders and artists in the Movement, we shared a unique, lived experience that bonded us. Suzanne -We know that losing a parent is never easy and that it is especially difficult when you've shared your parent with the rest of the world. We embrace you in our sisterhood more tightly during this time. Our arms are extended around you and your family as you navigate through this loss