james brown may have started here career at amateur night at the apollo, its talent competition nearly as old as the apollo itself, along with countless greats like ella fitzgerald -- -- lauryn hill, and jazmine sullivanlegendary artist leslie uggums began performing here as a child in 1952. ♪ >> this is where we came to see all these incredible artists perform on that stage, from the louie armstrongs to the james brown. and so for me, this was my playground starting at 9 years old. >> reporter: you performed here from 9 to about 15, 16? >> 16, uh-huh. >> reporter: right? >> yes. >> reporter: what was that like? >> the schiffmans, who ran this theater, had a radio show, a contest. and i kept winning every week. >> okay. >> this contest. and so finally, they said you know, we're going put an act together for you. we want you to play the apollo. >> reporter: but the '40s and '50s were a contentious time in america. >> when i was starting here, there was a department store that you couldn't go into because you were black. there was a famous restaurant that you couldn't go into because you were black. >> reporter: during an era of segregation, many black entertainers could appear only at the apollo when t