- She went on welfare and was shunned by her friends (1992). Her daughter left her and moved in with Bill Cosby's family.
- Studied piano and voice at the High School for Performing Arts and received her Bachelor's degree in music education from Montclair State College (MSC).
- In 1996, she took over the role of Fantine in "Les Misérables" on Broadway, the first black actress to play that role.
- Recorded "Lift Every Voice and Sing", which was entered into the Congressional Record and is now the official African-American national anthem.
- Her mother was a singer and her father played saxophone and ran the popular jazz club Mitten's Playhouse in Harlem.
- Won Broadway's 1970 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for "Purlie", which launched her television and recording career.
- Had done a great deal of session singing in the 1960s, including "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb in 1966. Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson also sang on the track.
- Has a one-woman show: "Sweet Songs: A Journey in One Life" (1998).
- Legendary for possessing a four-octave vocal range.
- Attended and graduated from Newark Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey (1958).
- Stepdaughter of Clem Moorman.
- After ten years, she released a new album of gospel songs (2002).
- Daughter of vocalist Bonnie Davis.
- She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre at 1645 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on August 10, 2023. Her Walk of Fame star is located near Hollywood and Vine.
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