Many successful African American entertainers share the experience of having grown up in poverty and escaped from their hard lives through performing. Great African Americans in Entertainment follows the fascinating lives and careers of African American entertainers from the early days of Vaudeville to present-day stars. Major profiles in this book include: - Josephine Baker - Harry Belafonte - Bill Cosby - Sammy Davis, Jr. - Whoopi Goldberg - Spike Lee - Sidney Poitier - plus six additional shorter profiles