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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to Summer Madness, the podcast series Spotlighten the Legends

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<v Speaker 1>of Black Cinema. I'm Tim Gordon, and today we begin

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<v Speaker 1>with the foundation, the one and only Sidney Potier. When

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<v Speaker 1>you think a barrier is broken, indoors open, Portier stands

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<v Speaker 1>at the very center. At a time when Hollywood too

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<v Speaker 1>often relegated black actors to the margins, Portier carried himself

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<v Speaker 1>with dignity, grace, and undeniable presence. He became the the

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<v Speaker 1>first black man to win the Academy Award for Best

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<v Speaker 1>Actor for Lilies of the Field in nineteen sixty three,

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<v Speaker 1>but that milestone only scratches the surface of his impact.

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<v Speaker 1>From the moral authority of Detective Virgil TIBs and in

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<v Speaker 1>the Heat of the Night to the fiery conviction of

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<v Speaker 1>the defiant Ones, Portier's performances were more than just entertainment.

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<v Speaker 1>They were about possibility. He showed audiences what was possible

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<v Speaker 1>on screen and inspired generations to come. His work and guests,

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<v Speaker 1>Who's Coming to Dinner confronted America with the realities of

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<v Speaker 1>interracial love, while To Sert with Love reminded us of

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<v Speaker 1>the transformative power of education and respect. But perhaps what

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<v Speaker 1>defined Portier most was his refusal to settle. He chose

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<v Speaker 1>roles that reflected his values and demanded more from Hollywood,

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<v Speaker 1>even when it meant fewer opportunities. That integrity made him

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<v Speaker 1>not only a star, but also a blueprint for those

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<v Speaker 1>who followed Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, halle Berry, and countless others.

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<v Speaker 1>Sidney Poitier just didn't make history. He changed history. For

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<v Speaker 1>every actor who now takes the stage or steps onto

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<v Speaker 1>a set with the freedom to tell their story fully.

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<v Speaker 1>Potier's presence is there. This has been summer madness. I'm

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<v Speaker 1>Tim Gordon and this was our spotlight on the foundation

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<v Speaker 1>Sidney Poitier. Join us next time as we continue celebrating

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<v Speaker 1>the icons who shape the history of black film.