Nicole Avant On Her Father's Wisdom, The Story Of 'The Six Triple Eight', Purpose, Peace +More

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Nicole Avant On Her Father's Wisdom, The Story Of 'The Six Triple Eight', Purpose, Peace +More

Release Date: February 7, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Breakfast Club, hosts DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God engage in an in-depth conversation with Nicole Avant, a renowned author and filmmaker. The discussion traverses Nicole's latest projects, personal experiences, family legacy, and profound insights into power, knowledge, and healing. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of their dialogue, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Introduction and Recent Works

Duration: [00:34] – [04:18]

Nicole Avant opens the conversation by announcing the release of the paperback version of her book, Think You'll Be Happy, featuring a foreword by her husband, Ted Sarandos. She shares the emotional weight of completing her father's last moments while finalizing the film project, "The Six Triple Eight."

“The paperback version of Think You'll Be Happy is now out and my husband Ted Sarandos wrote the forward and it is a beautiful addition to the book...” ([00:51])

Nicole recounts the poignant experience of her father's passing as she showed him the completed film, culminating in a heartfelt goodbye.

“I said, daddy, here's the movie that you told me to finish... and that’s when I said my goodbye.” ([02:21])

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2. Personal Grief and Healing

Duration: [04:18] – [15:06]

The conversation delves into Nicole's journey through grief following her mother's tragic death and her father's subsequent passing. Nicole emphasizes the importance of managing grief without succumbing to bitterness, highlighting her father's wisdom in maintaining one's power and light amidst darkness.

“You can’t give your power away. You can’t give your light away...” ([03:55])

She reflects on transitioning from a state of shock to a place of healing over three years, underscoring that while grief remains, it becomes more manageable with time and intentionality.

“Grief never goes away, but it does get lighter as you go because you learn how to manage it.” ([04:18])

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3. The Legacy of Clarence Avant

Duration: [15:06] – [32:40]

Nicole passionately discusses her father, Clarence Avant, often referred to as the "Black Godfather," and his monumental impact on the entertainment industry and beyond. She shares anecdotes about Clarence's ability to mentor and uplift others, including legendary figures like Bill Withers, Hank Aaron, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.

“He was a man who demanded fairness and justice in a world that was often short on both.” ([10:39])

Nicole recounts how Clarence's unwavering support and strategic foresight shaped her husband Ted Sarandos' career at Netflix, emphasizing the intergenerational legacy of empowerment and excellence.

“Now that you think about it, he did [have the ultimate cheat code].” ([06:23])

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4. "The Six Triple Eight" – A Story of Resilience

Duration: [14:54] – [24:25]

Transitioning to her film project, Nicole elaborates on "The Six Triple Eight," a World War II film spotlighting an all-black female battalion tasked with delivering 17 million pieces of undeliverable mail. The film not only showcases the historical significance of these women but also underscores themes of humanity, connection, and resilience.

“This story is about humanity. This story is about winning the war. This story is about connection...” ([15:17])

Nicole highlights the emotional impact of the film, sharing how it resonated with diverse audiences and even the real-life surviving members of the battalion.

“Every single test group that we did the march, it could be white men, black men, Asian women... People cry. People are moving around their seats.” ([23:27])

The movie's success is further validated by its global standing on Netflix and an Oscar nomination for its original song, penned by Diane Warren.

“The song really makes the movie... It was nominated for an Oscar.” ([22:23])

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5. Insights on Power, Knowledge, and Advocacy

Duration: [24:25] – [34:19]

Nicole shares profound insights into the dynamics of power and the importance of knowledge, especially within the Black community. She discusses the necessity of understanding history to advocate effectively and challenges the monolithic perceptions of Black men, advocating for a broader representation of political and personal ideologies.

“Knowledge and information, and it is powerful. And to use it in the best way is kind of how we move forward...” ([28:51])

Nicole emphasizes the role of education through art and entertainment in preserving history and fostering cultural awareness.

“Art and film... are the best way to keep our history alive.” ([19:12])

She reflects on her father's philosophy of knowing one's history and using it as a springboard for personal and communal growth.

“We have a blueprint, but we have to use the blueprint not just be, you know, be fueled by it.” ([12:40])

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6. The Book "Think You'll Be Happy"

Duration: [34:18] – [38:53]

The discussion transitions to Nicole's book, Think You'll Be Happy, inspired by her mother's last message. She narrates the serendipitous revelation of her mother's passing shortly after urging her to undertake the film project, creating a full-circle moment in honoring her legacy.

“I’m saying, think you'll be happy because this is mommy's last message to me.” ([34:29])

Nicole shares anecdotes of her father’s straightforward and impactful advice, encapsulated in the book's title, “You’re Fucking Welcome,” embodying his no-nonsense approach to life’s challenges.

“What are you going to do about it? Make a decision of what you’re going to do.” ([36:12])

The book serves as a repository of her father's wisdom, offering readers actionable insights on overcoming obstacles and embracing personal responsibility.

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7. Empowerment and Future Endeavors

Duration: [38:53] – [43:14]

Concluding the episode, Nicole expresses admiration for The Breakfast Club's commitment to showcasing diverse perspectives and fostering independent thought. She underscores the importance of representation and the platform's role in advancing cultural dialogues.

“You guys have done done so many things to move culture forward.” ([38:53])

Nicole shares her vision for future projects, emphasizing storytelling that inspires, educates, and fosters hope. She reiterates the global impact of "The Six Triple Eight" and the anticipated release of her book.

“We have a blueprint, but we have to use the blueprint not just be, you know, be fueled by it.” ([40:48])

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8. Closing Remarks

Duration: [43:04] – [43:14]

The hosts express gratitude to Nicole Avant for her candid and enlightening conversation. They promote her latest works, encouraging listeners to engage with her book and film.

“You can check it on Netflix right now. It's streaming now. And the book Think You'll Be Happy is out right now.” ([42:54])

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Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers listeners a profound glimpse into Nicole Avant's life, her dedication to preserving Black history through storytelling, and the enduring wisdom inherited from her father. Through her discussions on grief, legacy, and empowerment, Nicole inspires a deeper understanding of resilience and the importance of cultural representation.

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For those interested in exploring Nicole Avant's impactful works, "The Six Triple Eight" is available for streaming on Netflix, and her book, Think You'll Be Happy, can be found in paperback with a foreword by Ted Sarandos.

Transcript

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[DJ Envy]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne, the guy. We are the breakfast club. Lauren LaRosa is hanging out with us this morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, indeed.

[DJ Envy]

And we got a special guest in the building. Yes, we have Nicole Avant.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Welcome.

[Nicole Avant]

Thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Welcome back.

[Nicole Avant]

Thank you. Thank you. It's good to be back.

[DJ Envy]

How you feeling?

[Nicole Avant]

Great.

[DJ Envy]

New book.

[Nicole Avant]

New book, new. I mean, new film, new forward, new film, new forward. Everything's new. Thank God. So, yeah, the paperback version of think you'll be happy is now out and my husband Ted Sarandos wrote the forward and it is a beautiful addition to the book and it became a bestseller again. And I'm just so happy because the legacy continues, but it's through Ted's lens, which was great because Ted was with my father with the black Godfather when he crossed over to the other side. And it was really Ted. Like I had left the room and said to Ted, we're gonna switch places now. And the crazy thing is the six, triple eight was the last moment I had with my father. Tyler Perry had just sent me one of the last cuts of the film. And he said, okay, take some notes, we're ready to lock. And my father was in the other room. And I thought I was saying, oh, I don't want to bother him. And I could just feel holy spirit saying, what do you mean bother him? Go sit with him. So I said, daddy, here's the movie that you told me to finish. Here's the movie. And he's laying there and he gets all the way to the end. And the song the journey is playing. And Diane Warren wrote the song her sings the song beautifully. It just got nominated, by the way, for an Oscar. And I was able to look at my father after everything's done and of course, crying. And I went over to him and that's when I said my goodbye.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wow.

[Nicole Avant]

I was like, you know what, daddy, you've had the best journey. You journeyed here for 92 and a half years. You've done so much for your people, you've done so much for America. You've done so much for the world. You can go be a piece now. What a journey. What a journey.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Was there any response or anything?

[Nicole Avant]

He just, he did. He, he, he, he opened his eyes and there was a slight smile. But I saw the peace come over him because I kept saying, daddy, don't hang out for me. I know you wanted. Everything's done, the book is done, the film is done. Remember? Because he had said to me, after my mom died, after she was killed, I didn't want to finish anything. Why would you? So I'm thinking, I'm done. And my father. Every day, you're gonna finish that book. You're gonna finish this movie. Life goes on. You have to. Of course you need to grieve. Of course you're going to be sad. But you can't give your power away. You can't give your light away. You can't. This darkness came into our life. You can't be consumed by the darkness. You better take this light and figure this shit out. And be an avant. And this is what we do. He's like, you know how hard my life was? You know what I went through? I was picking cotton at 5. I was picking tobacco at 5. I was doing this. I was bounced around. I was that. So it was. And he said, he goes, and you owe us that. You kind of owe us your life. You can't let your life force go. So all that to say it took three years for me to be sitting here now in a much different, more peaceful.

[DJ Envy]

Absolutely.

[Nicole Avant]

Position of healing. You know, grief never goes away, but it does get lighter as you go because you learn how to manage it. Last time I was here, you know. Right. You know, right after the hardcover came out, I was still in a state of shock and sadness. No. Much however much I was trying to hide it, I was still shaking inside.

[DJ Envy]

That's right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why did you leave the room? Like, why did you intend to switch places?

[Nicole Avant]

Like, because I said I could tell my father didn't want to leave in front of me, you know. Well, first of all, I heard. I don't know if you guys have experienced with. It's called the death rattle, where you hear. It sounds like someone's choking. It's. It's not, you know, it's scary. It's that rattle where the body is actually shutting down and so he's trying to breathe Harder to breathe. And I'm. And it's just so painful. So I knew. And I could tell, though, that he's trying to hang on. I was like, daddy. Daddy, you can go. I'm going to be okay. I'm going to be okay. So I said, let me. I'm going to go get a glass of water. And then I went out and looked at Ted. I said, you know what? Maybe you should go in now and say your goodbyes, and then we'll do it together. And then the next thing. And then I just knew once Ted went in, he was going to be different. And he was. Ted played music. Ted all of a sudden said. All of a sudden all my. I was the little Catholic boy again in school. And he goes. And I started saying my prayers. He goes, I hadn't said them in years, but they listened to Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, everybody. They just. He played. He sent Clarence out, held his hand, and he. They had their beautiful moment because, you know, they were very, very close. And my father, Ted's dad, didn't understand really what Ted did. Did for a living. He grasped it, but he didn't really. But my father was like, wait a minute. You're what, at Netflix? And what is Netflix going to do? And he's. My father has watched Ted from 15 Years. When I came into Ted's life skyrocket and become CEO, my dad was there during the whole rise, you know, so it was. He got this promotion, then he got another promotion, and Clarence would sit with him, and then I'd watch him do his numbers thing and write on the paper, you gotta ask for this. You gotta do this. Where do you want to see yourself in five years? Who are you hiring? What are you doing? You know, are you going around the world? It was so great for Ted.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ted had the ultimate cheat code.

[Nicole Avant]

Now that you think about it, he did.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He had the ultimate cheat code. You could tap Clarence Avon anytime you want. On fair advice, right? Yeah.

[Just hilarious]

We don't understand. So you call Clarence Avon. Like, that's like a. Yeah.

[Nicole Avant]

And, you know, Ted would say, which you got to get him on next time. He's like, how come I'm not at the Breakfast Club with you? Said, I know we're going to have him next time. But, you know, it's so funny, though, you said that. It's because Ted said when he was dating me, he went to lunch with my father. He said, everybody kept coming to the table. And I'm thinking, well, who is this? What is going on? He goes, Everybody kept coming to Kids three goes. I knew of him, he said, but I did not understand the impact of him. He said, and I had black people, white people, and men and women saying, he changed the course of my life. He changed the direction of my life. He opened this door, he closed this door. He made sure the contract was right. I mean, it was. All of a sudden, Ted's thinking, this man was one of the architects of the entire entertainment business.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[Nicole Avant]

And I don't know his name, and my friends don't know his name, and I'm pissed. So Ted went out and was telling everybody, he said, that's why we got to make the Black Godfather.

[Just hilarious]

Oh, okay.

[Nicole Avant]

Yeah.

[Just hilarious]

Because when I watched that and I heard about the story, I figured you might have pushed forward more because it's your family's legacy, but your husband happens to be at Netflix, so you have.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That person there having to be at Netflix.

[Just hilarious]

I mean, not happens Netflix. You know what I mean? Like, you can pick up the phone and call him. So you're like, oh, babe, let's make this work. But hearing that he. In real time was like, people need to experience, really.

[Nicole Avant]

Reggie Hudlin and I had been working on the Black Godfather for so long, or at least talking about it, and it was great, because David Geffen, a long time ago, my dad kept saying, I'm just going to write a book. I don't want to be in a movie. I'm going to write a book. And David Geffen's like, no one's going to believe that he was right. I said, dad, if we put this in words, who's. We're going to talk about all these experiences and all the things that you did. People need to hear Bill Withers say it. People need to hear Hank Aaron tell the story. People need to hear Bill Clinton tells her. Otherwise, everyone's gonna say, oh, yeah, that really happened. Okay, so it was so great that everyone came together. And then Ted, every time I'd come home and I'd have my little checklist, he's like, you got that person for the doc? I said, yeah. This person said, yes, yes. Clive Davis is coming on. Yes. Ted's like, oh, no, we're doing this. We have to cement this legacy. And Ted knew that that's the way my parents raised me. They raised me. They gave me black history, mostly through music and film. You know, there was a lot of stuff in the house, of course, the art and things. But my parents would have me watch, you know, a lot of. Whether it was lilies of the. You know, to Serve with Love or Lilies of the Field or Guess who's Coming to Dinner. All Sidney Poitiers first, you know, and then go to the Dutchman and all these films and even Birth of a Nation, which is horrific to watch, but you need to watch it. You need to learn so that you could say that shit was really happening. And thank God it's not now, but you know what I mean? It was easier for me to digest history through entertainment, which is why we were able to tell so many stories in the Black Godfather that I don't think would have resonated with people if it was on paper.

[Just hilarious]

Or on paper.

[Nicole Avant]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Can I read a little bit of what Ted said? Yeah. In the forward, he said, nicole's father, my father in law, Clarence Avant. The Black Godfather came directly from the hospital to live with us. The next few years were like a gift from the universe. Cosmic payback for the pain of the few weeks in 2021 that changed all our lives. Clarence was a role model in business and in life. Every meal together was a masterclass. Cheating. I had. He didn't say that. I said that I had spent time with him over the years, heard the stories, witnessed the reverence the world had for Clarence, and. And met the folks whose lives were impacted by him. Bill Withers, Hank Aaron, Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Andrew Young, and countless executives whom he created opportunities for and shepherded. In his remarkable life and career. He was a man who demanded fairness and justice in a world that was often short on both. He loved music and history and made both. Spending time together in the last years of his life filled a void for me that the loss of my own father had created. Wow. I hadn't been in town when my father departed, but I was in the room when Clarence did.

[Nicole Avant]

I mean. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wow.

[Nicole Avant]

I know. I'm already getting like, well, how are you doing? Yeah, we got tissues. I know. I'm. I'm good. I miss them a lot, but I'm really. I feel very blessed to have had a soul like that. I mean, Clarence to me, was one of the most powerful souls I've ever met. I've never met anybody like that. I really haven't. And to know that I To. To just feel. Every single day, I feel his presence, and just the knowing of this soul raised me. And this soul gave me a toolbox. And he. That's the best gift he gave me, which was, here's a toolbox. All this shit's going to happen in life. The grab this tool for this. Grab this tool for this. The resentment comes. Drop it. This comes. You know what I mean? He. He was able to. He was just such a master of. Of how life works. And he was so big on. You know, his big saying was, you come with a number and you end with a number, and in between that is your dash. What the f. Are you going to do with your dash? It's yours. And your choices and your decisions are going to determine your life, period. Because he said, you've already seen it. It's like Tyler Perry just post. I kept reposting it because I thought it was so good. We have the blueprint.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Nicole Avant]

We have the blueprint. We have seen everybody, especially in the black race, who has shown us what they did, how they had to go through it, how they overcame things, how they thought about things, how they strategize. You have a blueprint, but we have to use the blueprint not just be, you know, be fueled by it. And I. And I just. The times that I. You know, my dad always reminded me, you know, again, everybody is going to leave this earth, Nicole. Everybody. That's the one thing we all have in common. Nobody gets a pass. So do as much as you can with your life and experience as many things and as many people as possible and try to do good and make it wherever you are and whatever you do in life, because everybody's important.

[Just hilarious]

So when you talk about your father passing, there's a. There's a sense of peace, and, you know, you guys got to spend the time. Your mom situation was a lot different.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes.

[Just hilarious]

And in this book, you talk a lot about that night when everything happened with your mom. When did you get to a point, even where you weren't angry about what happened with your mom?

[Nicole Avant]

I would say there was. It's probably about six months, in fairness, there. I remember the fourth. I remember it was April was right before Easter, and I had one huge outburst again with one of my father's best friends, Al Heyman. I called him, and I was furious. I was still screaming, crying, trying to figure things out. And everybody was great. Law enforcement was great. Everybody was, we're gonna help you. We've got this. But every day, I kept forgiving, forgiving, forgiving for myself, not for the person. Didn't condone the behavior. Don't condone violence. I don't condone any of that. But I knew I hate what happens so much that I knew if I got stuck in that hate or stayed in that hate, then I was not going to be able to finish. Think you'll be happy. I was not going to be able to make the six triple A. I wasn't even going to be able to be a good human being, because I was going to be a bitter human being. That's what I fought. The demon of the bitterness was going to kill me. It felt like it was strangling me. And I was like, no, no, no, no. So I just went through the grief. And the grief you kind of have to carry with you. It doesn't go anywhere. You carry it with you, and then you learn how to manage it. And it does get lighter and lighter, but it gets lighter because I chose to let go every day. I had to ask God for grace, ask God for wisdom and guidance, and then say, I cast these burdens. I'm going to cast the burden of anger. I cast the burden of. Of. Of resentment and bitterness just so I can move forward. Not to condone the behavior, but just so I want to move forward in my life. I want to live my life.

[DJ Envy]

I was going to ask about the movie. I know we talked about it. We breezed over it a little bit. But let's get into the movie a little bit as well, because that's on streaming on Netflix, the six Triple eight. So break down the movie. And people are seeing it on Netflix.

[Nicole Avant]

I mean, it's. It will. I think it's been number two on Netflix globally, which is huge for this type of filming. All black cast, female World War II movie.

[Just hilarious]

It was great.

[Nicole Avant]

Thank you.

[Just hilarious]

I learned a lot.

[Nicole Avant]

It's. And it. That's why I wanted to tell the story. So the story came to me. It was my fellow producer, Carrie Selig. She's. She sent me a sizzle reel. And she said, listen, I know that you've probably heard of the six Triple eight, but, you know, I don't know if you know the whole story, which I didn't. I knew of. I heard of Major Charity Adams. I did not know about the battalion. I just didn't. And I went to my mom, I said, how come you didn't tell. You told me about Charity Adams? And she said, I told you about them. You're not remembering, but you must tell this story, Nicole. This is such an important part of American history. And so the story basically is, you know, there's. There's all these black women. There's. They're, you know, a part of the U.S. army. And they're. They're 17 pieces. 17. 17 million pieces of mail that have not been delivered to the troops, and no one can do it. Men had tried to do it. Everyone kept trying to do it. They couldn't get the 17 pieces of mail, so they decided, you know, winking, oh, we'll give it to these black girls. Let's see if they could do it. And we'll give them six months. Of course, they did it in three. But everyone's thinking, you know, Tyler and all of us were thinking, carrie, how are we going to tell this story about the mail? But it's not about mail. This story is about humanity. This story is about winning the war. This story is about connection. And this story is about resilience and being excellent. This is what I love about these women. This battalion decided to be excellent, and they were excellent. Even when things were unfair, unkind, not just not right. They didn't wait for things to be perfect, to be excellent and to show up strong. And they were patriots. And, you know, in a country that really was. Wasn't giving them their flowers or giving them anything, and they still chose to show up and rise up. And I said, wait a minute. This story is a great apart, a great part of American history. It's a great part of World War II history that none of us really knew. And it's great for black women. And I wanted to celebrate these black women. And we had Mrs. King, who passed away right before we put out the film. But Tyler, being Tyler, made sure he got the film to her, and he watched it with her, and she was able to say, thank you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Wow.

[Nicole Avant]

And she was able to leave this earth knowing that the world was going to know their story.

[Just hilarious]

For Those of you, Mrs. King is one of the original eight members.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did Ebony get any time with her.

[Nicole Avant]

I'm sorry?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did Ebony get any time with Ms. King?

[Nicole Avant]

Yes. And all of us, for sure, did a zoom with her in the very beginning. So we. She could thank us and we could ask her questions. And so. And I'm. I'm not sure if Ebony went to go visit her physically, but I know they spoke and connected and, yeah, there's. I think there's two more. Maybe two more surviving members. I mean, it's just incredible. I loved the story and full circle moment is my mom, like I just said, she said, go take. Do this film. That was three weeks before she died. And then my father is the last thing I showed him. So for me, this film is extra special because it's a full circle moment with my parents, you know, and just. It started with my mom saying, please go do this movie. And it ended with my dad, and you could tell that he was just so happy she did it and put this story out. And this is what. This is what I always wanted you to do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I think the story is Ebony.

[DJ Envy]

Ebony Obsidian, who was an actress in the movie. So people.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, she played Lena King. Her name was Lena. Lena King.

[Nicole Avant]

She. Yes, Derek. Yeah. Yeah, Lena Derek.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, I was. I think this movie is so important because, man, when you look at what this administration is doing and you look at what, you know, people are doing all across the country in regards to just trying to erase our history, this might be the only way these stories get told.

[Nicole Avant]

You know, it's interesting you say that, because I think art and film and. And tv, all of it. I think it's the best way to keep our history alive, or all history alive. Any history alive is. That's why there's so many movies, I would say, about World War II and every other war is. It's very important to tell the stories in a very creative way. And that's the one medium that usually brings more people together than not. And that's why these stories have to. We have to continue to talk about all of them. I'm happy that, you know, I always knew the Tuskegee Airmen, and that's why I was so pissed that I. The six. Triple eight.

[Just hilarious]

Yeah.

[Nicole Avant]

And not taking anything away from the Tuskegee Airmen. But I'm like, well, wait a minute. These black women helped win the war, too, in a different way. But if you have exactly what Mrs. King said. If you have. I mean, Charity Adams, if you have. If you have low. If you have no male, there's low morale. And if you have no morale, you. You're not a winner. You can't win.

[DJ Envy]

You can't feel like you're fighting for nothing.

[Nicole Avant]

You're fighting for nothing. You need to know that you have. Your wife is home waiting for you, your husband, your father, your mother, your children. You need human connection. There is no email, no Wi fi, no Facebook, no nothing. They had the U.S. postal Service.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Nicole Avant]

And that's what I think is so phenomenal of what these women were able to accomplish. And by the way, overseas, again, not even going to different states in America, let alone a different countries.

[Just hilarious]

Y'all did a good job of showing that parallel, too, because the one girl in the movie who. Her actual, like, significant other, he went away to the war, and she hadn't heard from him, so she was, like, frustrated. It really showed. Like, why? Because I was watching it with people who were like. But they only doing male. To your point. But then when you saw her storyline, it's like, that's why the male was important. I think that helped. Like, that overarching storyline helped you understand the importance of their job, too. I thought that that was a great piece. I don't know if you guys did that on purpose.

[Nicole Avant]

Yeah, we did, but thank you for. Because it's. Because Tyler was like, we have to really show why. Yeah, it actually did happen. But it's. To your. Again, everyone's, oh, it's just the male. But it's really not just anything. It's communication. Right. It's humanity. And. But we didn't get that until that scene that you're talking about. And. And it does make a huge difference that people need to see the power of human connection and the power of your. Why. Why is somebody doing something? Why is somebody being so committed to. They were also trying to prove themselves. They were also trying to plant seeds again, for all of us to be sitting here doing what we're doing. You don't have to be in the armed forces. I think people, we all have to remember everybody in our history, everybody before us, they knew they weren't going to see the fruits of their labor. There wasn't. You know what I mean? There were so many people who still fought for civil rights, knowing that they may not get their rights, but we were worth it. Then when we came along, we would have our rights. That is what I respect so much about people who were never going to receive any benefits and still said, I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right. Y'all were nominated for best original song, too.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What does that mean?

[Nicole Avant]

Yes. Oh, my gosh. Well, Oscar, it's amazing because Twofold again, because Clarence comes in here again. Because my dad and Diane Warren have been friends forever. Wow. And the fact that it's Diane who wrote the song and then her singing the song, it's so great. But that's who I was able to say to my father when he was passing over. I said, dad, you know, here's your journey. Go on your journey. You had such a great journey. I said, and of course, guess who wrote the song. Diane Warren. I said, your girl who likes to curse just as much as you. That's how they became friends. Because he said, I've never met somebody who drops an F bomb more than me, faster than me, but she's brilliant. She's a brilliant songwriter. And I was just so happy that this is. This is the category that we got an Oscar nomination. And I was like, okay, I'll take this, because this song is everything. And the song really makes the move. I don't know how you felt, but I thought the song was just perfect.

[Just hilarious]

It was a lot of good stuff that was intertwined into a song. I think the costuming was great.

[Nicole Avant]

Isn't that great?

[Just hilarious]

I thought that that was important too, especially when they got off the. I'm telling too much that march. No, but when in the march. Yeah, that was, like, such a powerful, silent moment. And I think as a. Like, as a black woman, for me, when they were doing that march, I was like, I feel that because there's a lot of times where you just gotta, like, you. You know, like, you're powerful, but you gotta, like, let other people assert it for you. And that march was. That it was. It's a really good movie.

[Nicole Avant]

I love that. You know, every single test group that we did the march, it could be white men, black men, Asian women. This. That, children, old. That march, there's nothing is said. Everyone gets moved. People cry. People are moving around their seats because it stirs up the underdog. And everybody. It's the march, and it's that power of. I know I'm being underestimated. No one believes in me, but I'm about to show you.

[Just hilarious]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Lawrence says something that I want you to expound on, Nicole, because you are a powerful woman. You know, she said, when you're a powerful woman, you. You have to often have to let other people assert it for you.

[Nicole Avant]

Mm.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you feel. You feel that way?

[Nicole Avant]

I understand that. I do understand that. It's a. You know, it's so funny. I remember being in a meeting once, and I looked at this man. He said, well, why you be. You know, we believe in this. Like, I said, you know, I do have a brain, and it does function.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Just.

[Nicole Avant]

I'm just. In case you guys didn't know, I do have a functioning brain. But you. It's true. You go into. It's so conditioned by everyone that sometimes people have to go before you and just assert it for you. And in a different way. Even when I became ambassador, it was my friend Charlie who said. I said, no, no, no. I don't want to do. I'm tired. I'm doing this. I'm going back in the record business. I know what I like to do. I'm done with this. And he looked at me like, really? You've outdone so many other people who are demanding to have all these roles, and you earned it. And so Charlie said, I'm gonna put your name in just for you. I'm about to do this. And it's interesting how I just didn't even realize that I wasn't really stepping into your full you. My full me, my whole life force, my whole thing. I just didn't realize, you know, and it's. It's. I think we have to just remind ourselves all the time. Of. Of course I'm gonna try. It's. I don't want to give my half me. I want to give all of me. And people take it or leave it. But we should all feel comfortable enough with our life force to show up as best we can. And as much as we can not dim our light because it makes other people feel uncomfortable. I mean, I used to do that a lot growing up. Like, oh, I don't want to say this, or I don't want to say this. No, there's just. You're just dimming your light for what? And you're taking your energy down to make other people comfortable. And then the only one that's hurt in the end, you. They. Yeah, they don't care if they feel more comfortable or not. And then I feel like when I get home, because I dimmed myself and I shrunk myself.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Becoming your fool. You is. Is interesting, though, because sometimes other people see things in you that you don't.

[Nicole Avant]

See in yourself 100%.

[Just hilarious]

And I think we need.

[Nicole Avant]

Yeah. And. But I think that sometimes I think there's a flip side and a good side to that, too. I think that there's a. You know, like my father, for example, I think he saw. He was very good at seeing talent and seeing people that could really change things, and they just. For example, Hank Aaron. I don't think Hank Aaron was, you know, insecure. I think he was never just thought of, oh, I should be getting endorsement deals. I just don't think he ever thought of it. And Clarence comes along, was like, I don't even know who you are, but if you're about to break baby's record, you definitely need an endorsement deal. But again, my father saw things in people that they sometimes didn't see for themselves. And then he made magic for them. You know, he would always say, people tell black people to just run your race, run your race. And he goes on. My thing to everybody is, well, we can't even get on our marks. Let us get on our mark, then Let us run. But if you're going to take Our mark away. Don't you dare tell anybody. Just run your race. You know, you can't say, pull up your bootstraps, you don't have boots on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right, stop.

[Nicole Avant]

You know, get it together. And we have to remind people. But knowing your history, even if you're the only person at the table, I always tell people, know as much as your history as. Just know as much as you can. So that when you are at a table or when you're with people that don't know any of it, you could be the one. Instead of worrying about, I'm the only black person at this table. Be so proud. I'm the only black person at this table. And then when they're talking about certain inventions and talking about this and that, you could say, oh, well, you know, this black scientist did this and this black inventor did this, and this person did this, and they happen to be black. And people don't know that. And it's. It is a superpower that my mom gave me that I have used all my life and does feel great. Just because everybody else doesn't know it doesn't mean that I'm not going to express it kind of to your point, everybody else is talking about it and their light is up and their vibrations up and, oh, I'm not. I'm not going to mention the scientists because they may not know George Washington Carver, they may not know Elijah McCoy or they may not know somebody. Well, I'm just going to tell them, well, this is why we say we want the real McCoy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Nicole Avant]

And people are why? I'm like, well, because, you know, and then you tell the story and then everyone has a. Oh, I didn't know. And so that's where the power does come from. Knowledge and information, and it is powerful. And to use it in the best way is kind of how we move forward, especially women, just really knowing everything, who we are and being rooted and grounded in real power versus. I always say there's real power and then there's power adjacent. I'm not interested in the power adjacent. I'm not in. You know, there's. And that's the pride. And we all fall into that, too. You know, my father says everything that I had, I lost it all in one fell swoop. You know why? Because I had pride and my ego was too big. And then he was able to share that with music. And then I was able to pick myself up and I was able to start Taboo Records and I was able to bring Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, he goes, but all before that, I got too arrogant and I started doing too many things. Radio station, this TV show that, out of focus, lost everything. He goes, and, you know, it's like my grandmother used to say, you know, pride cometh before the fall. It just. It does. And to all of us. So we all have to remember to try to stay rooted and grounded, but in real power, in God's power, in light versus human power.

[DJ Envy]

When, you know, talking to your dad, people always say when you lose everything, it makes you a stronger individual, right? And that you can't be the person that you need to be unless you lose everything. Did he ever talk about that?

[Nicole Avant]

Yes, he did. And he felt that he lost. It's a really good question. He felt that he lost everything from a very young age because all the time he was being bounced around, moved around, stepfather kicked him out of his house, he was always starting new and losing everything, Losing a home, lose, you know, and just starting new. But it does build character. And he'd always say to me, every time, every time you have a shortcoming in life, every challenge the real power comes from, what's the lesson behind it? You don't want to learn it in the beginning. You just think, oh, my God, they shut the door because this. Oh, this didn't happen. So. But you got to go behind it and figure out what you. And if you learn the lesson, you get to graduate. It's like school. You get to, you know, you read a certain level, you get to go the eighth grade. You do this, you get to go to high school. It goes. But if you don't learn as you fall, then you'll just stay where you are. And he loved the pivot. He'd always say, sometimes you have dreams and shit, and sometimes the universe is thinking way bigger than you. I have to have this. I have to be on this radio station because. And God's trying to tell you you're going to go all the way over here and run the station. But you're so stuck in your one dream. You have to be able to open your dream up and then be able to pivot. And then at some point, if you keep getting closed doors, just say, maybe I'm supposed to go somewhere else. If I am, he goes, just ask maybe, you know, but the pivot. He said people who aren't successful usually never get the pivot.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Nicole Avant]

He said, they will not pivot. He goes, I see it all the time. The most successful people, and they end up right, flatline because they just won't change. They won't change with the times. They won't change. Their stubborn ideas have to be this. And he said, I just tried everything. Some of it I was great at, some of it I failed. Then I figured out what I was good at. And just kind of once he figured out managing was his thing, and that's what he was really good at. And he can change people's lives. That's when he started over. And then it was Jimmy and Terry, and then it was LA and Face, and it was Betty Medina. And it was. All of a sudden he's like, this is what I can do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I say that to people all the time. Like, I think folks, they like to say, reinvent yourself. No, you just got to know when to pivot.

[Nicole Avant]

Pivot.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's it.

[Nicole Avant]

It's not a reinvention.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's just a pivot.

[Nicole Avant]

It's a pivot, you know, and it's in. And the beauty as humans is that we're the only animals that could actually do that. Right? You know, so we can change. As soon as you change your mind, think about it. As soon as we change our minds, and as soon as we start thinking different thoughts, speaking a new way, behavior changes, doors open. You all of a sudden, you're in the right place at the right time with the right people. As soon as you change your mind. My dad always used to say, keep your mind right. Keep your mind right. And I knew what he means. You have to renew it every day. Your thoughts. What do you. Oh, it's never going to work. It's never going to work because why would you expect it to work? It's Disney. This. Science doesn't even. The universe doesn't even work like that. You tell it it's not going to work, and the universe is going to be okay. I mean, why. Why would it be any way else? It doesn't work like that. Life doesn't work like that. So he just, he just. He said, nicole, I just rolled. I didn't care. Anybody color. I didn't care. This. I just. My mentors were white. I just rolled. He said. And none of my mentors thought, oh, he's going to be. End up being the black godfather. And he's going to use all this power that we're giving him to help black people. He goes, that was not their intention. He goes, I just got lucky and they picked me. And then they let me in and taught me things that gave me connections. And then I chose to go back and try to Make a difference for black people. He said, but that was my decision on what to do with what was given to me, not their intention.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, the name of this book is think you'll be happy, and it's because of something your mother used to say.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes, yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So what is the book about, Mr. Avon going to be titled?

[Nicole Avant]

I know. You know, okay. It's. It's the true story. And I think I can curse on this show.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Sorry, of course.

[Nicole Avant]

So when I wrote think you'll be happy, and I told my dad, I said, you know, daddy, I'm saying, think you'll be happy because this is mommy's last message to me. Six hours later, I was heard she was shot. And so he said, maybe it's later, you know, maybe I should write a book. I should write a book. I should write a Clarence Avon book. I said, well, what was your title be? And he was thinking about it. And then he had watched, I don't know. Some. I don't. I don't know what station. Msnbc, cnn. So somebody had said on TV was the black person who said, you know, there's been no progress. 60 years of nothing. And on and on. And I'm telling you, my father, everything in my father, his back went out. He goes, no progress. What? And I said, talking about a man who picked cotton. Yeah. He's like, I'm picking cotton, I'm picking tobacco. I'm doing this. There were no rights. You couldn't vot. You could do this. Went on and on. I go, okay, but what's the title of your book? And he leans in, he goes, you're fucking welcome. That's the title of my book, you're fucking welcome by Clarence Avon. I said, oh, my God. And he gave me all these isms. Like I have all the Clarence isms written down. And I was like, you know what? I'll do that for you. I'm going to write your book now. I'm writing it. It's so good. Of just his little nuggets. Not going to be long. It's just Clarence ism right on it. Next page of just real nuggets of how to get through life, you know, his whole thing. Remember, you know this. It is what it is. Now what are you going to do about it? And he'd always say, everybody's always like, it is what it is. He goes, no, then you finish the sentence.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What you going to do about it?

[Nicole Avant]

What are you going to do about it? Make a decision of what you're going to do. About whatever it is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And if you're not going to do nothing about it, shut the up.

[Nicole Avant]

Shut up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That was, that's what he said. If you're not going to do nothing about it, shut the up.

[Nicole Avant]

He would always say, I. And I remember one day I called and I needed advice and I was in the Bahamas and I was so feeling sorry for myself. I said, but daddy, daddy, I'm crying. He goes, it is what it is. And I said, can't you just be sensitive for one minute and just listen to me? I'm trying to explain something. And he said, I said, I know it is what it is, but it hurts me. And he said, okay, what you gonna do about it? I said, but dad. He goes, no, no, no. I'm trying to teach you something. You cannot make a constructive decision in chaos. So when I say what are you going to do about it? You got to accept what is, don't fight what is, don't. Because you don't like it. It's not fair. That's going to keep you spinning. So it is what it is. Accept it, like own it, it's happening. And then sit with yourself, calm yourself down, tell yourself I'm in control of my soul is the only thing I could control. And then make a decision now what am I going to do about it? What's your new attitude going to be from this? And I'm telling you, it worked. I calmed down, I said a prayer, I cried, I got over the self pity and I focused and I was like, okay, who do I want to be? Who, who do I want to be? How do I want to show up in this situation? It was the best advice he gave me and I've used it throughout my life, you know, and, but he gave me those little nuggets and in. And you're fucking welcome also was about like, you owe me a life. I gave you a life. Live it. You're welcome. All of us got here. You had parents, everybody. Generations of, generations of generations of people did not quit. So you're, you got, you all definitely do not have the audacity to just sit and do nothing with everything that we went through for you. Because we had a big dream for you, all of you. And, and, and we do all. And you guys, by the way, have done a phenomenal job. I mean, I'm looking, every time I watch, I'm thinking, look at all these politicians coming on the show. Look at how they're changing the culture. Look what you're doing. And the truth is this would not this show would not have happened 20 years ago, 30 years ago. I'm sorry. It was. Wasn't even probably dreamt up. Do you know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. I follow Mr. Avon's blueprint. I've never seen a black man who, you know, had that type of influence in so many different industries and so much respect in so many different industries. To me, that's how you move culture forward. For real.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes. And. And, And. But that's what you guys have done. I mean, I hope you guys really understand. I'm not just saying this. I mean, it's real and it's a big deal. And it's a big deal for people of all colors, all races, to tune in and see what you create, see who gets to sit in this chair, listen to different ideas. By the way, I love that you have diverse ideas. I love that you have Republicans and independents and Democrats and everybody talking so that people can make an independent decision on who they are. I think that's very, very important, especially for black men, because I think that black men have always been pigeon. Oh, everybody else, you notice everybody else gets to be whatever they want. Everybody. Everybody gets to think conservatively. I know everybody else, I'm like, wait a minute, hold on. There are black conservative men. There are black independent men. There are black liberal men, just like every other type of man do, you know? And every time I turned around, I was at a dinner table, that black man's conservative. I said, but why are you hating on him? Because he's conservative. Because the white guy's conservative, the Asian guy's conservative, the Hispanic person's conservative. And none of you are throwing this person any shade whatsoever. And I don't know why this group only, not even women. I'm talking men only have to think one way. We're not that kind of. Everybody else thinks different ways.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Monolithic.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes. I mean, Booker T. Washington was there many. Remember, we all come. Many of us were Republican in the beginning. So I just. I don't know. What I love that you do again, is I love that I have watched everybody sit in this chair, and there's different ideas, and I've always taken a little piece from everybody. Even if I disagreed with 90%, there's always that 2%, 5% that I think. I never thought about that way. I agree with that. That's what you do. And I think it's really powerful what you guys do do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Thank you.

[DJ Envy]

Thank you so much.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I do have one last question. Six triple eight. Right. That's out on Netflix now. You can. You can basically probably tell any story you want to and get it on Netflix if you wanted to. Right. How do you pick which stories you want to do?

[Nicole Avant]

I, for me, if it's. I, for me personally, I love anything that's inspiring, empowering, motivating, and if it's true, I love true stories. You know what I mean? I love documentaries. Documentaries, for me are everything because I think that you can teach people again, like I say, through film and art. It's so important for me to tell something that people will be moved by, and people will leave that room saying, oh, I didn't know that, or I feel so good about this, or I don't care about. That's what I care about. Empowering people, motivating people, inspiring people. Any kind of script that I get that's like that. That's. Those are the stories that I want to tell. That. That move culture forward and have people thinking even in a different way than they ever have before. But that's what I. I love making people. I want people to feel good, and I want people to feel positive, and I want people to feel hopeful and also be educated in ways, you know, if I don't. I, like I said, we both said, like, oh, my God, I didn't know this story. And I love the response around the world about the six Triple eight of every response is, I had no idea, number one. And then the second response is, and now I could feel that I could do anything. Or I've sat with my children and I've watched this with my children, and this has been great. I mean, I was on Bret Baer's show on Fox, and they were so supportive of the six Triple eight, and it was so great that this story is just resonating. That's what I mean is everybody wants to talk about this film because it's important and it's a great piece of history that everyone should know.

[DJ Envy]

Well, thank you for joining us this morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Nicole Avant]

Thanks.

[DJ Envy]

Aaa, you can check it on Netflix right now. It's streaming now. And the book Think youk'll Be Happy is out right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Paperback is out right now. It's available right now with a forward by Ted Sarando. Tell Ted we do want him up here.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes, Ted will. Ted will love it. He's great.

[DJ Envy]

Okay, well, we'll see you again when. Yes, when the other book comes out.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes, please.

[DJ Envy]

All right.

[Nicole Avant]

Yes.

[DJ Envy]

Nicole Avant.

[Nicole Avant]

Thank you.

[DJ Envy]

Breakfast Club, good morning.

[Nicole Avant]

Thank you. Thank you.