Jacqueline Avon was a force many times over in Black Los Angeles and beyond.

She was a renowned philanthropist, a political king and queenmaker, a patron of the arts,

wife, mother, a friend to community activists and U.S. presidents alike.

Last week, an intruder fatally shot her in her Beverly Hills home.

Tributes from across the world have poured in ever since.

To mark a life and did too soon.

I'm Gustavo Areano.

You're listening to The Times, Daily News from the LA Times.

It's Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Today we devote our episode to the life and legacy of Jacqueline Avon, who was 81 years old.

We'll hear from one of my LA Times colleagues who has been covering her killing on its aftermath.

And we'll also hear from someone who knew Jacqueline personally, not just as a VIP, but as someone who wanted to help others.

In 2019, Netflix released a documentary called The Black Godfather.

It's about legendary music executive Clarence Avon.

Jacqueline plays a big role in it because Clarence was her husband.

Just a short list of their friends.

Bill and Hillary Clinton, Magic Johnson, the Obamas.

Jacqueline's killing has rocked multiple strata of Southern California life and beyond.

And this includes her friend of nearly 20 years, L.A. community leader, Maddie McFadden Lawson.

She did not take her privilege for granted. She shared it. As a matter of fact, if you really didn't know her and she's in a room, you would never know that she is Jacqueline Avant. We met in May of 2003. At Morehouse College, at a reception, we had such an

incredible gathering, and we just bonded there, and we left saying,

we will make sure when we get back to Los Angeles, we will be in touch.

...