Don Cornelius: Creator of Soul Train - A Great Contributor to Black American Culture (September 27, 1936 – February 1,

Don Cornelius graduated from DuSable High School in Chicago where he showed an early interest and talent in art. He served as a Marine and after his discharge, he worked in law enforcement.

He met Ron Wood a radio personae and his media presence began almost immediately. Woods heard Cornelius' voice and knew he would be a good candidate for the Quiet Storm soliloquies aired on WVON ("The Voice of the Negro"). His deep, melodic voice was perfect for radio and eventually television.

Cornelius created a pilot for Soul Train, a show similar to the American Bandstand show, but geared towards the Black population. The "Soul Train" line is an American mainstay. Where two lines of dancers are formed and two by two they dance down the aisle between the lines strutting or rather, dancing their stuff. It was every Black teenagers dream to boogie down that aisle.

As a Black teen I watched the show for fashion ideas, dance moves and to see what was hot and what was not!

And Don Cornelius was the captain at the helm of this show. His suits were a fashion statement. Everyone wanted a thick round Afro like Don Cornelius. The Soul Train dancers were the baddest dancers on television!

Cornelius ended every show with, “And you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, Honey. I’m Don Cornelius and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace... and souuuuuuul.”

Don Cornelius exposed America to a side of Black culture with pride. The raw talent showcased on Soul Train was clean, beautiful and often eloquent. Soul Train holds a prestigious place in American television as the longest running program in the history of first-run syndication

I remember watching the show where Kurtis Blow performed "The Breaks" and Cornelius was honest about his views of rap. I think he voiced what so many of us were feeling. We had been watching and listening to some of the most creative music and sensational voices bringing soul music or rhythm & blues to the forefront. Rap was different. It felt angry and somewhat violent. And many of us who were lovers of r&b, gospel and jazz didn't know what to think about this new music genre called rap.

Soul Train was as much a part of Saturday morning television as the cartoons. Young people of all races watched Soul Train. Eager to hear and see their favorite music artists perform. The commercials touted products by Johnson Products Company. At that time these were the only commercials on television advertising products expressly used by Blacks. And not only were we seeing Black hair products like Afro Sheen but the actors in the commercials were Black!

Don Cornelius helped so many Black artists and professionals both in front of and behind the camera. There are artists who would never have become famous, whose talents were showcased on Soul Train giving them national exposure.

I am saddened by the untimely death of this American trailblazer. Don Cornelius added a special ingredient to American society and Black culture. I believe this ingredient changed America for the better. I pray he rests in love, peace and souuuuuuuuuul.