Tuesday was declared “John Singleton Day” by Los Angeles City Council President Herb J. Wesson Jr. as a way to pay homage to the legendary filmmaker.
The announcement and private celebration took place at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, where Singleton was a star student and graduated in 1990, the New York Daily News reports.
The prolific and groundbreaking director, screenwriter and producer passed away on April 28, 2019, after a suffering a major stroke.
“There is not enough that can be said about John Singleton and the profound impact he made in his 51 years of life,” said Wesson. “In a time and in an industry where all the odds were stacked against him, John overcame and became the best at his craft. And more than maybe anyone, he opened people’s eyes to a reality and an experience of South Los Angeles that had been overlooked by society. Now in Los Angeles this day is a time to celebrate John and his legacy. It’s far sooner than we should have to, but there is so much to celebrate.”
There is not enough that can be said about John Singleton and the profound impact he made in his 51 years of life. To honor his legacy today will officially be known as John Singleton Day in Los Angeles.https://t.co/C5qZJmvmas
— Herb J. Wesson, Jr. (@HerbJWesson) May 21, 2019
Within months of graduating from the nationally-renowned university, John Daniel Singelton, 51, returned to his South Central L.A. stomps to film his classic debut film Boyz N the Hood, starring Ice Cube, Morris Chesnut, Lawrence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding Jr.
Singleton became the first African American and youngest director in Hollywood history to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Through his other popular films — Poetic Justice, Hustle & Flow, Higher Learning, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Baby Boy — Singleton also became an idol maker, providing career-defining roles for the likes of Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Janet Jackson, Terrence Howard, Tyrese and Taraji P. Henson.
