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A Rebellious Spirit: Celebrating the Life of Barbara O. Jones Barbara O. Jones was an American actress who left her mark on the acting industry. She was known for her roles in films in the L.A. Rebellion movement of the 1970s. Jones was a key player in this movement of young Black filmmakers at UCLA who were dissatisfied with the portrayal of Black Americans in Hollywood films. They, along with Barbara, sought to have their own stories told on screen. Film scholar Clyde Taylor later coined the term "L.A. Rebellion" to describe this movement. Born Barbara Olivia Minor in December 1941, she passed away on April 16, 2024, at age 82 in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Her career began in radio where she went by the name Bobbie Montgomery, "The Black Fox," on WDAO Radio during the 1960s. Before moving to Los Angeles, she received a bachelor's degree in speech and theater from Wright State University in Dayton and a master's degree from Antioch College in Ohio. She had guest roles in television shows like Wonder Woman, Lou Grant, and Laverne & Shirley. Growing up during segregation inf luenced Barbara to gravitate towards movie roles that tackled social issues. She delivered powerful performances in Haile Gerima's film Bush Mama (1979), where she played a woman radicalized by poverty and oppression, and Julie Dash's groundbreaking film Daughters of the Dust (1991), about a Gullah family, which is part of the National Film Registry. Her impactful acting portrayed the struggles of her time. In Daughters of the Dust, Barbara O. portrayed the iconic character Yellow Mary. This groundbreaking film, the first directed by an African American woman, received worldwide release and earned a spot on the prestigious list of the greatest movies ever made. This role, along with her other filmography Bush Mama, Freedom Road where she portrayed Muhammad Ali's wife, Mute Love, A Powerful ang, and Maangamizi: e Ancient One, cemented Jones' status as a legend in American cinema. Barbara leaves behind her children Makini, Mshinda, and Dhati along with her brothers Marlon and Raymond. As we celebrate the life of Barbara O. Jones, her unwavering commitment to portraying real experiences, and her powerful performances continue to plant the seeds for future generations of artists to come. The next AACC meeting is on Monday, July 1 at 6 pm in The Lodge Game Room. For more information, contact President Jocelyn Doucette at cjs1speed@gmail.com. ~ Regina omas 46 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2024 African American Cultural Club