Berry Gordy attends the 40th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in New York, on Thursday, June 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
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On this day, Oct. 24, 1996, Berry Gordy, the visionary founder of Motown Records, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gordy established Motown in 1959 in Detroit, creating a musical powerhouse that would change the industry forever.
Famed singer Diana Ross greets fans on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles after she turned out to help celebrate the unveiling of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motown founder Berry Gordy, Oct. 24, 1996. Ross and other Motown performers, including Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, were on hand to give testimonials to Gordy. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Under his leadership, Motown launched the careers of iconic African-American artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and the Supremes, along with many other household names. Known for its distinctive sound, Motown broke racial barriers and became a symbol of unity and cultural pride.
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC.
