Since the death of musician Little Richard on Saturday, 9^th May, the internet has been flooding with fond memories of the rock ‘n’ roll icon, including director Ava DuVernay.

The When They See Us filmmaker tweed following news of Richard’s passing, “I served soul food brunch to Little Richard every Sunday for a year while waitressing at Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in LA. I was a college student. He tipped me a crisp $100 bill each week on a $75 breakfast with friends. This was 30 years ago. Helped me so much. God rest his soul.”

Dick Alen, Richard’s agent of 40 years, confirmed the star had passed away in a statement to People.

“Little Richard passed away this morning from bone cancer in Nashville. He was living with his brother in Nashville,” Alen’s statement read, “He was battling for a good while, many years. I last spoke to him about two or three weeks ago. I knew he wasn’t well but he never really got into it, he just would say ‘I’m not well.’ He’s been suffering for many years with various aches and pains. He just wouldn’t talk about it much.” 

Mini Bio

Ava DuVernay was named in "The 100 Most Influential People" in May 2014 by TIME magazine. In 2014 she became the first African –American woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for directing Selma...Full Bio