Lane Makers Documentary: 05 February 2012

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

RIP Donald "Don" Cornelius (September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012) (VIDEO & WIKI)

Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius was an American television show host and producer who was best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971 to 1993. Cornelius was born in Chicago's South Side on September 27, 1936, and raised in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Following his graduation from DuSable High School in 1954, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served 18 months in Korea. He worked at various jobs following his stint in the military, including selling tires, automobiles, and insurance, and as an officer with the Chicago Police Department. He quit his day job to take a three-month broadcasting course in 1966 despite being married with two sons and only $400 in his bank account. In 1966, he landed a job as an announcer, news reporter and disc jockey on Chicago radio station WVON. Cornelius joined Chicago television station WCIU-TV in 1967 and hosted a news program called A Black's View of the News. In 1970 he launched Soul Train on WCIU-TV as a daily local show. The program entered national syndication and moved to Los Angeles the following year.

#MYOL News: Justin Combs Officially Signs To Play Football At UCLA (BLOG) (Jan 29th-Feb 4th)

In a generation where many celebrity's children are celebrity television stars or jump into the spotlight through music, movies, etc. Justin Combs has displayed the strong will and perseverance of his father Sean "Diddy" Combs in a new lane. Before Diddy became one of the youngest music moguls the world has ever seen, he also wanted to become a college and professional football player. After an injury stopped him from pursuing that dream he got into the world of music and entertainment. Over 20 years later Diddy is still one of the most successful and influential media brands worldwide. This past week his son, Justin, officially committed to play college football at UCLA. Justin has made his own lane and it is one that he did not have to make. He probably knew at an early age that he never had to worry about anything financially and with all the luxury his father likes to live with he could have adopted that attitude that many celebrity children do, hand outs and entitlement. Instead Justin has worked hard to build his own legacy in a sport that was once his father's dream to pursuit. There comes a time when a son wants to become his own man and not always be in the shadow or assistance of his father. If your not ready to play Division 1 football they won't sign you simply because Diddy is your daddy. Hats off to Justin because he worked hard for this opportunity even though he never needed to but he never approached it that way and has begun to build his own legacy. #MYOL

- #HMIC (@TheOtherJayMYOL)