Motown Records, the most successful black-owned music company in the history of the United States, was founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. His father - Berry Gordy, Sr. - was a first cousin to the mother of which US President?

Carter's mother, "Miss Lillian" Gordy Carter (1898-1983) was a half 1st cousin of Berry Gordy, Sr. (1888-1978). Their fathers were paternal half-brothers, both sons of James Thomas Gordy (1828-1889), a white plantation owner from Georgia. Berry Sr's father was Gordy's son by one of his female slaves. Miss Lillian's dad was Gordy's son by his wife, Harriet Emily Helms Gordy.

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14 Comments

Bill Coe

GREAT question. You could have enlarged the explanation to highlight the amazing Gordy family.

Laura Robinson Ames

Eric Fuller, Not really if you follow the line. His grandfather was the link by fathering a child with one of his slaves. If I understand it correctly.

ninakamwene

I did not know that. Thank you. Are there any slave descendants who do not have white slave owners blood in them? I am a Kenyan and true native of the Kikuyu tribe. I know my history and I am very proud to be 100% African black.