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Home · Celebrity

17 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn't Know You Didn't Know You Needed To See

Get in the spirit with these throwback pics.
By Keyaira Boone · Updated December 29, 2021

The year 2021 is ending with an Omarion-sized bang so we’re looking to the past for some sugar and spice.

Despite what mainstream media may show of Black life, we don’t just exist to resist and persist. We smile, we cuddle, we laugh, we love, we care and we have done so since the beginning of time.

Spend time with some of your favorite faces from Broadway, the big screen, basketball courts, and record shelves as they share a canoodle and a kiki with their friends, family, and fellow glitterarti in these fun throwback snapshots caught over the decades. Catfights might get more clicks but even divas form bonds and have fun with their fellow friends in the spotlight.

See an actor and activist kick off his career with a co-worker in the sound booth. Watch a beauty-queen-turned-Broadway-baby nestle into mommy mode. See two superstars come together at an iconic New York landmark. Follow a transformational talent as he kicks it with an R&B legend. Witness a ‘90s dream girl before she snagged an Oscar as she shares a moment with a certified musical genius. Watch a popping “pusher man” teach us how to pull up in style. Look at a television mother and son duo as they “D up” on the court, and a real mother and son prep for a huge occasion.

Relive some enchanting moments by checking out 19 moments of Black joy below.

01
Nat King Cole And Diahann Carroll
The pair shared a giggle in the studio.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
02
Harry Belafonte And Margaret Tynes
This pair was known for their voices but we’re in love with their smiles.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
Getty Images
03
Curtis Mayfield At Studio 54
Mayfield cut a rug at Studio 54.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
04
Curtis Mayfield
Then he posted up out front with the squad in the big boy. A gawd!
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
05
Grace Jones And Tina Turner
The two rebels linked up for some laughs at the Ritz.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
06
Andre Harrell And Halle Berry
The late Andre Harrell and Halle ‘I Never Age’ Berry shared a laugh on the set of risky business.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
07
Luther Vandross And Will Smith
They kicked it backstage at the Grammys in a pair of eye-catching jackets.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Robin Platzer/Getty Images)
08
Stevie Wonder And Whitney Houston
The legendary vocalists were all smiles when they came together at an event.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Lester Cohen)
09
Denzel Washington And Sheryl Lee Ralph
The young actors popped out to support the charity’s work.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
10
Danitra Vance And Loretta Devine
Danitra Vance and Loretta Devine had a kiki on the carpet at the “Sticky Fingers” premiere.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
NEW YORK CITY – MAY 2: Danitra Vance and Loretta Devine attend the premiere of “Sticky Fingers” on May 2, 1988 at the Public Theater in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
11
First Priority Music Takes A Cruise Around Manhattan
MC Lyte kicks it with Mahogony and Swatch on a cruise around Manhattan.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
12
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams posed for a few pictures with her eldest children Melanie and Jillian.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
13
Phylicia Rashad And Malcolm Jamal Warner
We’re here for everything about this moment between the fictional mother and son.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
14
Lil’ Kim And Missy Elliot
If there’s anything more special than a life long friendship we haven’t found it.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
15
Quincy Jones And Eddie Murphy
We love to see Black men loving on each other!
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by L. Cohen/WireImage)
16
Diddy
Brother Love took a moment with Mom Dukes before a Sean John show before selling and reacquiring the brand years later. Miss Janice ain’t raise no fools!
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by George De Sota/Newsmakers)
17
Diana Ross And Tracee Ellis Ross
So an iconic Diva, a Golden Globe winner and a camel walk into the Jerusalem sun…
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo credit DAOUD MIZRAHI/AFP via Getty Images)
18
Clive Davis’ Annual Grammy Party
A few years later they tore up at the stage at Clive Davis’ legendary Grammys party. The family that plays together….
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
19
The Opening of DreamGirls
Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone and Sheryl Lee Ralph share a moment backstage at the opening of the musical in 1982.
19 Moments Of Vintage Black Joy You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know You Needed To See
TOPICS:  black joy Halle Berry joy
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