Barry Hankerson facts for kids

Barry Hankerson, born on August 3, 1947, is an American music producer, record label owner, and manager. He started a company called Blackground Records. He is also the uncle of the famous singer and actress Aaliyah.

Barry Hankerson's Early Life and Career

Barry Hankerson grew up in Harlem, New York City. He went to Central State University in Ohio, where he studied sociology. He also played football for his college team. After college, he tried out for the New York Jets football team but didn't make it.

In the early 1970s, Hankerson moved to Detroit, Michigan. There, he worked as a community organizer for the mayor, Coleman Young. Later in the 1970s, he started working in the entertainment business. He helped make the 1976 movie Pipe Dreams. He also acted in the movie with his wife at the time, Gladys Knight. In 1988, he produced a play called Don't Get God Started.

Founding Blackground Records

In 1993, Barry Hankerson created his own record label, Blackground. He started it because he had trouble getting big record labels to sign his niece, Aaliyah. Hankerson managed singer R. Kelly at the time. He used his connection with R. Kelly to get a deal with Jive Records. This deal helped distribute Aaliyah's first album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.

His company was first called Blackground Enterprises. Later, it changed its name to Blackground Entertainment. In 2000, it became Blackground Records. Hankerson also started a music publishing company called Black Fountain Music. He managed Aaliyah until 1995, when her father took over. Aaliyah stayed with his record label until she passed away on August 25, 2001.

Other Artists and Projects

Besides Aaliyah, Barry Hankerson also managed and produced music for the group The Winans. He played percussion on their albums Let My People Go and Decisions. He also managed the singer Toni Braxton.

Hankerson has also been a big supporter of Barack Obama. He gave a lot of money to Obama's election campaigns. In 2012, he produced a movie about Obama called The Obama Effect. This movie was made for his new company, Blackground Pictures. It was directed by Charles S. Dutton and starred him, Katt Williams, and Meagan Good.

Barry Hankerson's Family Life

Barry Hankerson married singer Gladys Knight in October 1974. They divorced after four years. He has one daughter and two sons. His son Shanga-Ali Hankerson is with Gladys Knight. His oldest son, Jomo Hankerson, is from a previous marriage.

In June 2007, Hankerson married his current wife, Kathy. They have four children together: three sons named Jibreel Ali, River Ali, and Che Ali Hankerson, and one daughter named Suhana Noor Hankerson. Barry Hankerson's sister is Diane Haughton. Diane is the mother of the famous R&B singer Aaliyah and Rashad Haughton, making Barry their uncle.