Anita
Marie
Pointer
Born in Oakland, Alameda, California, United States
Ancestors 
Daughter of Elton Pointer
and Sarah Elizabeth (Silas) Pointer
Sister of
[private brother (1940s - unknown)], [private brother (1940s - unknown)], [private sister (1940s - unknown)], [private sister (1940s - unknown)], Patricia Eva Pointer and June Antoinette Pointer
[spouse(s) unknown]
Mother of
Jada Rashawn Pointer
Died
at age 74
in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
Profile managers:
Travis Collins 
[send private message] and US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message]
[send private message] and US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message]Profile last modified
| Created 9 Jun 2020
This page has been accessed 304 times.
| Anita Pointer is a part of US Black history. Join: US Black Heritage Project Discuss: black_heritage |
Biography
Anita Pointer is Notable.
Anita Pointer is a part of US Black heritage.
Anita Marie Pointer is notable for her pioneering contributions to the music industry as a founding member of the genre-spanning pop group, the Pointer Sisters. With her soulful vocals and dynamic stage presence, Anita helped redefine the sound of the early 1980s, seamlessly blending elements of pop, R&B, and country music. The Pointer Sisters' eclectic repertoire, coupled with their trailblazing achievements, including being the first Black female group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, solidified their status as cultural icons. Beyond her musical endeavors, Anita's philanthropic efforts and passion for African American art and culture further cement her legacy as a multifaceted artist and cultural ambassador.[1][2]
Anita Marie Pointer, born on January 23, 1948, in Oakland, Alameda County, California, hailed from a lineage deeply rooted in Arkansas. Her parents, Reverend Elton Pointer and Sarah Elizabeth (Silas) Pointer, both Arkansas natives, instilled in Anita and her siblings a strong connection to their Southern heritage. Growing up alongside her two older brothers, annual family road trips marked Anita's childhood from California to Arkansas, where she developed a profound love for the rural landscapes and the warmth of her grandparents' home in Prescott, Nevada County.[2][3]
Anita's formative years in Arkansas provided her with a firsthand encounter with the stark realities of segregation in the South. The discriminatory practices she witnessed, from segregated schools to designated entrances at public establishments, left an indelible mark on her consciousness. Despite the challenges, Anita embraced her Arkansas roots, cherishing the memories of picking cotton and experiencing life in a community where resilience and solidarity thrived amidst adversity.[2]
Returning to Oakland, California, Anita attended McRae Elementary, McRae Jr. High, and McRae High School, institutions that were bastions of Black education during a time of segregation. It was during her high school years that Anita's musical talents began to blossom. As a member of the McRae High School Band, she showcased her skills on the alto saxophone, laying the foundation for her future in the world of music.[2][4]
Anita's journey into professional music began in the late 1960s, when she made the pivotal decision to leave her job as secretary and join forces with her sisters in what would become the iconic ensemble, the Pointer Sisters. Originally known as Pointers, A Pair, the group evolved into the dynamic quartet that captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.[2][5][6]
With Anita's soulful vocals leading the charge, the Pointer Sisters broke barriers and defied genre conventions, seamlessly blending elements of pop, R&B, and country music. Their eclectic repertoire, ranging from infectious dance anthems like "I'm So Excited" to poignant ballads like "Slow Hand," showcased Anita's versatility as a performer and her ability to captivate audiences across diverse musical landscapes.[7][8]
Throughout their illustrious career, the Pointer Sisters garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards. Their groundbreaking achievements, such as becoming the first Black female group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, solidified their status as trailblazers in the music industry.[9]
Beyond her contributions to the success of the Pointer Sisters, Anita's solo endeavors and philanthropic efforts left an enduring legacy. Her collaboration with country superstar Earl Thomas Conley on "Too Many Times" and the release of her solo album, "Love for What It Is," demonstrated her prowess as a solo artist. Additionally, her induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the Pointer Sisters' enshrinement on the Hollywood Walk of Fame underscored their lasting impact on music and culture.[2][10]
Offstage, Anita's passion for African American art and culture manifested in her extensive collection of memorabilia, culminating in the establishment of the Pointer Sisters "Ever After" exhibit at the Hollywood Museum.[11]
Anita's life was not without its share of personal challenges, including the loss of her daughter in 2003 and a battle with cancer that ultimately claimed her life on December 31, 2022. Yet, her enduring spirit and unwavering commitment to her craft continue to resonate with fans worldwide.[11]
As she rests in peace at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael, California, Anita Marie Pointer's legacy as a pioneering musician, cultural ambassador, and beloved daughter of Arkansas lives on, forever etched in the annals of music history.[12]
Sources
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors. Anita Pointer. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. February 27, 2024, 04:55 UTC. Available at: "Anita Marie Pointer." Accessed May 1, 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Ciulla, Paul, Everett, Massachusetts, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Last updated on 16 Jun 2023. "Anita Pointer (1948–2022)." Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ California Birth Index, 1905-1995: Birthdate: 23 Jan 1948; Birth County: Alameda Ancestry Record 5247 #4053127
- ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Oakland, Alameda, California; Roll: 589; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 67-525 Ancestry Record 62308 #268404257
- ↑ "Yes, the Pointer Sisters still Can Can", Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno, Nevada, 11 Jan 2007, Thu. - Page 50. Newspapers Clip: 146397776, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ "Maturing Pointer Sisters get younger", Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, 1 Aug 1988, Mon. - Page 22. Newspapers Clip: 146397421, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ "Anita Pointer, 74, founding member of The Pointer Sisters", Newsday, New York, New York, 2 Jan 2023, Mon. - Page A24. Newspapers Clip: 146397154, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ "Pointer Sisters so excited about new career path", Dayton Daily News, Dayton, Ohio, 22 Sep 1995, Fri. - Page 65. Newspapers Clip: 146397544, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ "Singer Anita Pointer dies at age 74", The La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 2 Jan 2023, Mon. - Page A2. Newspapers Clip: 146397154, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ "Family Keeps the Pointer Sistersgoing Strong", The Herald-News, Passaic, New Jersey, 24 Sep 2009, Thu. - Page D3. Newspapers Clip: 146397675, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Anita Pointer, of Pointer Sisters fame, dies at 74", The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 3 Jan 2023, Tue. - Page P10. Newspapers Clip: 146395434, Accessed 30 Apr 2024.
- ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/247951230/anita_marie-pointer: accessed April 30, 2024), memorial page for Anita Marie Pointer (23 Jan 1948–31 Dec 2022), Find A Grave: Memorial #247951230, citing Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, San Rafael, Marin County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
See also:
- Wikidata: Item Q2745995, en:Wikipedia
Is Anita your relative? Please don't go away!
Login to collaborate or comment, or
contact
a profile manager, or
ask our community of genealogists a question.
Login to collaborate or comment, or contact
a profile manager, or ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com
DNA
No known carriers of Anita's DNA have taken a DNA test. Have you taken a test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
No known carriers of Anita's DNA have taken a DNA test. Have you taken a test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
P > Pointer > Anita Marie Pointer
Categories: USBH Notables, Needs Connection | USBH Notables, Needs Genealogically Defined | Singer-Songwriters | 1950 US Census, Alameda County, California | Oakland, California | Alameda County, California | Arkansas Black Hall of Fame | Grammy Award Winners of the 20th Century | Hollywood Walk of Fame | American Singers | Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, San Rafael, California | Motown Artists | Unspecified, Cancer | US Black Heritage Project Managed Profiles | African-American Notables | Notables
Married David Harper divorced in 1966. Their daughter, Jada Rashawn Pointer, born April 9, 1966.Jada Pointer died of cancer in 2003( aged 37). Died of cancer December 31, 2022 (aged 74) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.