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Julie Robinson Belafonte, the Legendary Dancer, Actress, and Activist, Passes Away at Age 95

Julie Robinson Belafonte, a dancer, actress, and activist, passed away on March 9 in Los Angeles at the age of 95. She was known for her eclectic career in the arts, including dancing, choreography, teaching, acting, and producing documentaries. Julie was married to the renowned singer and activist Harry Belafonte, making them an interracial power couple that used their influence to support the civil rights movement and advocate for integration in the United States.

Born Julia Mary Robinson on September 14, 1928, in Manhattan, Julie grew up in an interracial environment, raised by liberal parents with Russian Jewish roots. She attended the High School of Music and Art in Manhattan, where she was an art student before winning a scholarship to the Katherine Dunham School of Dance. Julie dropped out of high school to pursue a dance career and became the first white member of Katherine Dunham’s renowned all-Black dance company in the mid-1940s.

Julie’s path crossed with Harry Belafonte on the set of the movie musical “Carmen Jones” in 1954, and they eventually became lovers. After Harry’s separation from his first wife, Margurite Belafonte, the couple married in Mexico in 1957. Their interracial marriage faced significant challenges at a time when such unions were uncommon and legally prohibited in many states. They faced discrimination and racist hate mail, but their love and commitment to each other prevailed.

Throughout their 50-year marriage, Julie stood by Harry’s side in his civil rights activism and social justice work. She organized fundraisers for civil rights groups, co-founded SNCC’s women’s division, and participated in marches and events supporting various causes. Julie also pursued her own interests, including acting in films and producing documentaries about African cultural heritage and traditions.

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After their divorce in 2007, Julie maintained a lower profile but continued to be a matriarch figure for her extended family, including Harry’s children from his first marriage. She was known for her welcoming and inclusive nature, creating a diverse and supportive home environment for everyone who entered. Julie’s impact on the entertainment industry and activism will be remembered fondly by her family, friends, and fans.

Julie Robinson Belafonte’s legacy as a dancer, actress, and activist will continue to inspire future generations to advocate for social justice and equality. Her dedication to using her platform for positive change and her unwavering support for civil rights causes will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. May she rest in peace.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.