Synthia Saint James facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Synthia Saint James
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| Born | February 11, 1949 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Visual artist, author, educator and actor in the 70s. |
| Nationality | American |
Synthia Saint James (born February 11, 1949) is an American visual artist, author, keynote speaker, educator and actor in the 70s. She is best known for designing the original cover art of the hardcover edition of Terry McMillan's book Waiting to Exhale. Additionally, Saint James designed the first Kwanzaa stamp for the United States Postal Service, first issued in 1997 and the Kwanzaa Forever Stamp, issued in 2016.
Biography
Synthia Saint James was raised in Los Angeles, California and the Bronx, New York. She sold her first painting in New York City at the age of 20. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
Career
In 1976, Synthia Saint James appeared in the film Emma Mae (also known as Black Sister's Revenge). The film is set in Compton, CA and played the role of Ulika Stansell, cousin to the title-character Emma Mae. In 1977 she appeared as the spokesperson and counter girl in a national McDonald's TV commercial.
Saint James had her first solo art exhibition in 1977 at the Inner City Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California, where she studied performing arts. In 1980, she participated in her first international exhibition in Paris, France.
She received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from Saint Augustine's University, Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 8, 2010.
Awards
| Year | Award | Organisation | |
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| 2015 | 2015 Villager Award | Afram Global Organization Inc, The Village P.r.o.j.e.c.t.s. | |
| 2011 | California Black Women's Health Project | ||
| 2010 | Trumpet Awards-The Arts | Trumpet Awards | |
| Honorary Doctorate( Doctor of Humane Letters) | Saint Augustine's College | ||
| Hall of Fame | National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles Chapter | ||
| "Phenomenal Women" | California State University, Northridge | ||
| 2008 | "Woman of the Year" | 26th Senatorial District of California | |
| 2007 | “A Tribute to Synthia SAINT JAMES” | The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation & AEG Worldwide | |
| 2006 | “MOSTE Inspirational Woman” | MOSTE Foundation | |
| “The Samella Award” | Center for the Arts of the African Diaspora | ||
| 2004 | “Woman of the Year” (Education) | Los Angeles County Commission for Women | |
| “The History Makers Award” | |||
| 2002 | “Ebony Excellence: Women of Vision” | Mu Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. | |
| “Sisters Award” | National Alumnae Association of Spelman College | ||
| 2001 | “Greensboro, NC Key to the City” | African American Atelier Gallery | |
| “The Arts Council Award” | California Afro-American Museum | ||
| “Oppenheim Gold Award” - for the book To Dinner, For Dinner | |||
| 2000 | “Literary & Visual Arts Award” | 115th Anniversary Second Baptist Church | |
| “Talent Award” | Los Angeles Chapter of The Links, Inc. | ||
| 1999 | “NAPPA Gold Award” | NAPPA | |
| 1998 | “Women of Vision Award” | Black Women Lawyers | |
| 1997 | Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award - for the book Neeny Coming Neeny Going | ||
| “UNICEF Greeting Card Award” | UNICEF | ||
| “AT&T Entrepreneur of the Year” | Black Women of Achievement & NAACP Legal Defense Fund | ||
| “Treasure of Los Angeles” | |||
| “YWCA Silver Achievement Award” | YWCA | ||
| 1996 | “Parents Choice Silver Honor” - for the book Sunday |
43rd NAACP Image Awards (2012)
"Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing": Outstanding Literary Work-Instructional category.
