Black


History Month


The First African American and the Youngest Ringmaster in the History of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®


ohnathan Lee Iverson was the first Af- rican American and the youngest Ringmaster in the history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®. At the age


J


of 11, Johnathan began performing with the world-famous Boys Choir of Harlem and was awarded the lead tenor. As a member of the choir, he sang at the inter- mission for Luciano Pavarotti’s Concert in Central Park, performed in a live show on Broadway and won second place in the Lena Horne Vocal Jazz Scholarship. Bar- bara Walters named Johnathan one of the ten most fascinating people in 1999. Johnathan Lee Iverson was back once


again this year to welcome Children Of All Ages to The Greatest Show On Earth®


.


A multi-talented performer and an excep- tional vocalist, Johnathan will once more don the iconic top hat in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®


Presents Barnum’s FUNundrum!SM , a production that cele-


brates the extraordinary legacy of the greatest showman on earth! And in fol- lowing the tradition of P. T. Barnum’s pur- suit for global and fascinating talent, Johnathan who had been selected as the first African American and youngest Ring- master in Ringling Bros. history, returned to preside over this historical edition. A New York City native, Johnathan be-


gan performing at age 11 with the world- famous Boys Choir of Harlem. For seven years, he was intensely trained in all forms of music including classical, jazz, hip hop, and gospel. Johnathan experienced a string of unforgettable, inspiring moments as a member of the Boys Choir, which in- cluded being awarded the lead tenor for the choir, singing at the intermission for Luciano Pavarotti’s Concert in Central Park, performing in a live show on Broad- way for two weeks, and winning second place in the Lena Horne Vocal Jazz Schol- arship.


68 www.blackeoejournal.com The Black E.O.E. Journal


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