Don Cornelius, 1936-2012: He was an old-school "race man," a smart Black entrepreneur mentored and helped by other Black entrepreneurs. Like almost every Black American over the age of 30, I grew up with "Soul Train." I quietly played up what I thought was a passing resemblance to Don when I wore a six-inch Afro during my Daytona Beach Seabreeze High School days.

Don may have been smooth, but he was no business pushover. When the man who unknowingly inspired Don, "American Bandstand’s" Dick Clark, tried competing for Black viewers by starting a program called "Soul Unlimited" on ABC in 1973, Black artists refused to perform on a "Soul Train" competitor. Clark ended his show after a few airings, then worked with Cornelius on ABC specials featuring Black artists. MTV (once it decided to have Black artists on the channel) tried to cross Don and "Soul Train" by not allowing musicians to perform on MTV and "Soul Train" within 30 days of each other. Cornelius reported MTV to the Federal Trade Commission for "restraint of trade." MTV backed down.

Life is painful. I’m non-judgment about Don’s suicide. He’s in God’s hands, and She will judge. I see Don – Afro and all – presiding over a celestial episode of "Soul Train" featuring James Brown, Luther Vandross, Aaliyah, and others, with Michael Jackson moonwalking down the "Soul Train" line. Don Cornelius’ legacy and influence – and "Soul Train" reruns and clips – will live on.

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