Dizzy Gillespie for President! | History and Legacy of Black Entrepreneurship in the US (4/7/2023)

This presentation examines John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie’s campaign for the presidency of the United States in the 1964 general election. Gillespie’s run for the presidency was driven less by a genuine interest in capturing the Oval Office, and was more significantly motivated by a desire to use the power and influence of his celebrity to ensure that the goals and objectives of the Black Freedom Struggle remained a focal part of the 1963-1964 election season’s political discourse. Based on his experiences as a jazz world entrepreneur, Gillespie introduced a series of policy initiatives and potential political appointments that would transform the federal government into a vehicle that would position people of color within the United States and abroad to achieve economic and political self-determination. Gillespie performed the role of the candidate during live performances and interviews with the press to place his radical vision for America’s future into circulation.

This session was recorded on April 7, 2023.

Join the conversation as we bring together scholars and academics from institutions around the country to share out their research in a discussion-based forum. By studying the history of Black entrepreneurship and innovation, we can gain an understanding of the creative strategies these entrepreneurs employed to succeed.

Learn more about the History and Legacy of Black Entrepreneurship in the United States series at https://kellercenter.princeton.edu/Bl...

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