Jacqueline Avant was a philanthropist, community activist, and the wife of music producer and executive Clarence Avant, also known as The Black Godfather.
She was born on March 6, 1940, in Jamaica, Queens, New York City.
Over the years, her charitable work included organizing fundraising benefits for childcare services as the former president of Neighbors of Watts and serving as a board member for UCLA’s International Student Center.
She was also a model and primary school teacher.
Jacqueline Avant cause of death
Jacqueline was fatally shot in her Beverly Hills home on December 1, 2021.
She was found with a gunshot wound and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where she later died.
The suspect, Aariel Maynor, was identified and arrested in connection with the homicide.
Maynor broke into the Avants’ home and shot Jacqueline Avant in the back with a rifle, and also tried to kill her security guard.
He was sentenced to 190 years in prison for first-degree murder, attempted murder, firearm possession and residential burglary.
The motive for the crime remains unclear.
Jacqueline Avant career
In the 1960s, Jacqueline began a career as a hospital technician and phlebotomist in New York City, and also modeled for Ebony Fashion Fair, an annual traveling fashion show that hired Black models wearing clothes made by Black designers.
She was a former president of Neighbors of Watts, an organization that hosted star-studded benefits to raise money for child care centers.
Jacqueline was also a past president of the International Student Center at UCLA and served two terms as the board president of the Museum of African American Art of Los Angeles.
She was an avid collector of Japanese lacquered boxes and was passionate about sharing Asian art with the community.
Jacqueline lectured on her collection at Spelman College, Scripps College, and Broadway Federal Bank.
She was survived by her husband, Clarence, their two children, Nicole and Alexander, her sister, Jean Morse and a host of friends and family.
