African American Artists & the Presidential Medal of Freedom

African Americans & the Arts in the Federal Government

This series of blogs were written by Tina L. Ligon, Supervisory Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland

This year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is celebrating the countless contributions of African Americans in the arts. The 109 year-old organization selects annual themes to showcase all aspects of Black life in America. This year's theme, African Americans and the Arts, allows for the expression of African American creativity in the areas of visual arts, poetry & literature, film, music, and comedy. The National Archives and the Presidential Libraries hold photographs, sound recordings, moving images, and textual documents of Black artists interacting with the federal agencies in areas of activism, official visits, and acknowledgement of their achievements. Today's blog highlights records from the the Presidential Libraries.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given by the current President of the United States to people who the sitting president feels made especially meritorious contributions to the national interest of the country, world peace, or cultural significance. African American artists in the areas of literature, music, and performance art, have received this award for their legendary contributions to American culture.

Notable authors and poets who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their storytelling include Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Ralph Ellison.

[Link]President Barack Obama talks with Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Toni Morrison in the Blue Room of the White House, May 29, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) (NAID 176548906)[Link]Dr. Maya Angelou (NAID 231832591)

Black singers and musicians received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their contribution to the music world and overcoming barriers related to race. Some of these recipients include Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, Count Basie, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, B. B. King, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder.

Black actors and performers also received Presidential Medals of Freedom for their work bringing the stories of African American to the stage and the screen, along with their social activism. Some of these recipients include Cicely Tyson, Sidney Poitier, Alvin Ailey, and Denzel Washington.

[Link]Barack Obama and Michelle Obama Greet the 2009 Medal of Freedom Recipient Sidney Poitier in the Blue Room (NAID 235144902)[Link]President Barack Obama Awards the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cicely Tyson in the East Room of the White House (NAID 200283951)

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