William “Bill” Cherry, a promotions icon who worked with the best artists, musicians, politicians, comedians for the past 50 years – forcing a nation to recognize blacks and their roles in society and in the entertainment industry – died Thursday, May 24 at his Durham, NC home. The 71-year-old entertainment icon died doing what he loved – working at his computer to promote entertainers.
Among many other artists, Cherry worked with the Supremes, the Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Richard Pryor, Kirk Franklin, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Barkays.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a friend for more than 40 years, said, “After Dr. King’s assassination there were marches, riots, and a chance for some terrible violence; but, Bill Cherry was on the other side of that. Bill Cherry used his creativity to turn the situation around and to begin building coalitions, to heal wounds and to create warmth and productivity.”
The Nation of Islam’s International Representative Akbar Muhammad said, “He opened the first doors for Minister Farrakhan with helping build the nation. If ever there was a problem on any project, Bill Cherry would jump on an airplane to come see how he could help out.”
Actor Richard Roundtree (the original Shaft) said, “He had an innate integrity where you never had to look over your shoulder, and that’s a very sacred attribute. He had a network of people that was life-altering for me.”
Jerry Roebuck, founder of Black Expo New York and Black Expo USA, said, “Bill was on my first planning board for Black Expo. He opened up my eyes to a lot of things and a wealth of experience.”
Mr. Cherry’s survivors include his wife, Diane Cherry, his children Kendra Cherry, Kameron Cherry, Leah Watson, Sean Cherry, and William “Bill” Cherry Jr., and two grandchildren.
Born in Manhattan, Cherry received a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. He was the vice president of Richard Pryor Enterprises and he worked with Pryor on at least six films and comedy tours. He was a publicist for the Negro Ensemble Plus On-Off Broadway Productions. He was the director of publicity and promotions for Campaign/Stax Records, Free Southern Theater and UniWorld Group Advertising out of Newark.
He produced a documentary for BET on the life of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan. He has also produced a documentary on gospel great Kirk Franklin. He was the founder of the National Association of Black Promoters. Cherry did national marketing and publicity consulting for Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox Films, United Artists Films and Bill Cosby Productions.
Cherry also received a multitude of honors and awards. A few that held sentimental value to him include: the Entertainment Atlanta USA Magazine Award for his work in the entertainment industry; the North Carolina Durham Housing Authority Award for his participation in their sit-down banquet in which Dick Gregory was the keynote speaker; Compassion Ministries of Durham’s award for its “Where are the Men Series”, a community involvement award where Cherry rallied men to get involved in their communities.