Berry Gordy Jr. was born in Detroit and dropped out of school in 11th grade to become a professional boxer. He developed an interest in music after marrying Thelma Coleman. He established Motown Records in Detroit, which became one of the most successful independent record labels in the 1960s featuring prominent Black artists. Motown helped bring Black music and culture into mainstream acceptance. Berry Gordy Jr. inspired others by building a successful music business and promoting social change through his artists.

1. Berry Gordy Jr.

2. Born

3. Early years
• Berry Gordy Jr. was born in
Detroit. Berry Gordon 11
was drown to Detroit for job
offers. Berry gordy Jr.’
brothers were black black
citizens of Detroit. Berry
Gordy Jr. dropped out of
school in eleventh grade to
be a professional boxer. His
career followed until 1050
when he was drafted by the
united states army for
Korean war. He developed
interest in music after he
married Thelma Coleman.

4. Impact on society
• He was well known as Berry
Gordy Jr. Berry
Gordy, Jr., established Motown
Records as one of the most
important independent labels in
the early '60s. Assembling an
industrious staff of
songwriters, producers, and
musicians, Motown Records built
one of the most impressive
rosters of artist in the history of
pop music and became the
largest and most successful
independent record company in
the United State by 1964. Berry
gordy Jr. name changed music in
the world.

5. Why he inspires me
• I think the most
interesting thing about
Berry gordy Jr. is that he
is named after his dad.
Berry Gordy Jr. is
inspiring to me and
others because he
writes and sings music.

6. 5 Facts
• He brought black music into
millions of white American
homes.
• He helped black artists and their
culture gain acceptance.
• Berry Gordy Jr. opened the door
for a multitude of successful
black record executives and
producers.
• He Borrowed $800 to start Tamla
Motown Records.
• Setting up a publishing
company, Gordy met a young
singer named William “Smokey”
Robinson, who fronted a group
called the Miracles.

7. 5 more facts
• At Gordy’s insistence, Motown’s
men and women of soul attended
in-house finishing school.
• Berry Gordy Jr. was the seventh of
eight children.
• He realizing the tough life of a
boxer compared to the classier
life of a musician, he devoted all
his energies to songwriting.
• He had an wife and three
children.
• Gordy worked for his father for a
short period and then on an
assembly line at the Ford Motor
Company.