It’s a full-circle moment for the SpelHouse alum!
LaTanya Richardson Jackson and her husband, Samuel L. Jackson, met as students at Spelman and Morehouse College. It was the beginning of a love story that has lasted more than four decades and the genesis of a powerhouse that would forever transform the entertainment industry. Last week, the two alums, Spelman Class of ‘71 and Morehouse Class of ‘72, returned to Atlanta during SpelHouse Homecoming week for the unveiling of the new performing arts center named in their honor and a mural highlighting the couples’ “lifetime of achievements in the arts,” Spelman.edu reports.
The couple spearheaded the renovation efforts of the Rockefeller Fine Arts Building on Spelman’s campus, donating $5 million to the project and helping to secure additional funding, totaling $17.3 million. In gratitude for the Jacksons’ efforts, the theater, lobby, and surrounding areas have been renamed the LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center.
“Throughout our life together, it has been an honor to support Spelman College. It was the institution which served as the nurturing training ground for our careers in the arts. Last night we celebrated the installation of the Mural of Spelman’s theatrical history, in the newly renovated LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Performing Arts Center. We hope that the Mural will inspire the next generation of budding artists. Once fully completed, this facility will be a center for creating and encouraging young artists to see the full spectrum of possibilities within themselves,” Richardson Jackson captioned a series of photos from the unveiling on social media.
Many came out to celebrate with the couple, including cast members from Jackson’s upcoming Piano Lesson movie, actress and Spelman alumna Danielle Deadwyler, producer Will Packer, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and longtime friend and fellow Morehouse alum Spike Lee. The mural, created by Atlanta-based artist Quintin Jackson, is a pictorial history highlighting the talents and contributions of the couple during their time in the Morehouse Spelman Players theatrical group and throughout their illustrious careers. The mural took a year to complete and includes 135 images compiled through archive consultations, research and discovery, and assistance from Spelman staff.
“Tonight’s celebration heralds a vibrant new era for the arts at Spelman, where performances and presentations will now flourish in a cutting-edge facility designed to inspire creativity and excellence. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to alumna LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson for their unwavering commitment and passionate support of the arts at Spelman,” said Spelman College Interim President Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer.
Cover photo: Spelman College Rename Performing Arts Center in Honor of Samuel L. Jackson & Wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson/Photo credit: LaTanya Richardson Jackson/Instagram