Mondays 'IN' The Undergroundrailroad

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Hello, hello, hello and welcome to Mondays 'IN' The Undergroundrailroad. How is everyone doing today? Well, I'm glad you dropped in to check things out in the Undergroundrailroad where we continue to celebrate Black History Month.

With Valentine's Day in mind, I thought I would serve Red Velvet Cake! Red Velvet Cake is a beautifully textured cake with a mild chocolate flavor and complemented with a thick white frosting. You can personalize the cake to your Valentine, triming his/her name on top of the cake. Another thought is to place two candles atop the cake and each making a secret wish. Your valentine can be your significant other, your best friend, your children, your sibling, your parents, or all the above!

If you are new to Mondays 'IN' The Undergroundrailroad I will give you an official welcome complete with the red carpet treatment.

Happy Valentine's Day DU

Black History Month

We are now into our second week of Black History Month and often it ends as quickly as it begins. While I love the heightened awareness that the month brings, it is simply not enough time to provide inclusiveness of the million plus African-American that have contributed so much to our world. Nevertheless, we still continue to do so in the Undergroundrailroad.

The following people that I have selected have made contributions that are significant and inspiring. Allow me to introduce them to you.

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Shoshana Johnson

Shoshana Johnson, America's first black female prisoner of war, is now an author, speaker and public role model to women all over the world. She delivered a Black History Month presentation, her very first public speaking engagement, at Nassau Community College in Garden City, Long Island, New York.

"Seems odd to me that I am now part of black history," said Shoshana, a native of Panama and a second-generation soldier who lives in El Paso, Texas. "I dreamed of being the first black woman on the moon, of being the first black female president, but the first black female prisoner of war, never."

Shoshana, you're doing just great!

Suzanne Malveaux

Suzanne Malveaux is one of my favorite reporters at CNN. Every Saturday I can look forward to her reporting ON THE STORY a lively hour long show that discusses the top stories of the week from a female perspective.

Suzanne Malveaux is the White House correspondent for CNN. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Harvard University, and a master's degree in broadcasting from Columbia University. Suzanne has received several Emmy Awards for her outstanding work. She does triathlons as a hobby.

Dr. Floyd Malveaux, MD, PhD

I have so much pride in the historical contributions of Black medical schools because my Father graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. In thinking about Suzanne Malveaux, it reminded me of her father, Dr. Floyd Malveaux. Dr. Malveaux is the dean of the College of Medicine at Howard University. Dr. Malveaux is a nationally recognized expert on asthma and allergic diseases. At Howard University he has also served as chairman of the Department of Microbiology

Ron O' Neal

In the early 70's, the southern theatre showed few black movies. But for "Super Fly", the line swept down East Main Street. What did we care of the distance? We were hungry for movies with black faces and Ron O' Neal, dressed in his "Super Fly" Sunday-ish outfits, gave us one. In 1972, that year, that moment, "Super Fly" became an event -- and a kind of lifestyle if you were prone to such dramatics. But Ron O'Neal, in the role of "Priest", played that "Super Fly" role all too well.

I was very sad to learn that Ron O'Neal died of cancer, January 14, 2004.

Ron O'Neal attended Ohio State University. In 1967, he moved to New York and taught acting in Harlem to support himself, jointly appearing in summer stock and off-Broadway shows at the same time. He received critical acclaim in the 1970 Joseph Papp Public Theatre production of "No Place to Be Somebody" in which he won the Obie, Drama Desk, Clarence Derwent and Theatre World awards for his powerful performance. It was this performance that brought him to the attention of the producers of "Superfly."

It seems so strange, in a curious kind of way, to think that the true "Super Fly" is no longer here. But Ron O Neal leaves a documentary about black film, specifically called "blaxploitation", that black history academics will study for a very long, long time.

I will miss you "Super Fly".

Ed Davis

To Ed Davis, a longtime African-American auto dealer in Detroit, hearing the numbers 62399 from a Chrysler Corp. executive on Nov. 11, 1963 meant the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. After nearly 30 years of struggle, he had finally become the first African American to own an independent franchised dealership of one of America's major automakers. And yes, initially the cards were fully stacked against him.

Ed Davis moved to Detroit as a teen and frequented auto repair garages looking for work. His enthusiasm led to a job washing cars for 59 cents, which, in turn, led to a position on the Dodge assembly line. Later he would get an opportunity to sell autos from a dealer's back room because blacks were not permitted in the auto showroom.

In 1939 he opened Davis Motors Sales, a used car business, becoming the first African-American in the nation to do so. In 1996 Davis was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame, a recognition reserved for "those who have significantly affected the course of the motor vehicle industry." He joined, among others, Henry Ford and the Dodge Brothers.

He died in 1999 at age 88.

Brenda Joysmith

Brenda Joysmith is a renowned African-American artist who brings "joy" into my life everyday. When I awake, the first image I see is from the gallery of Ms. Joysmith and it brings a smile to my face.

Brenda Joysmith is a native of Memphis Tennessee and began her formal training in 1968 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She then attended the University of Chicago where, in 1974, she received a B.A in Fine Arts.

Over the years, Ms. Joysmith's work has been seen on the sets of network television series such as The Cosby Show, In The Heat of The Night and in feature films such as Philadelphia, Lethal Weapon III, Music of the Heart and Love and Basketball to name a few. Her original pastel paintings are included in many prestigious individual, corporate and organization collections; including, Maya Angelo, Oprah Winfrey, Alpha Kappa Alpha National Sorority and The Colgate-Palmolive Company Permanent Collection, again, to name just a few.

Ed Bradley

I have been a fan of Ed Bradley for a very long time. I remembered his coverage of the Vietnam War, his coverage of the presidential campaign of Jimmy Carter, and his recent interview of Michael Jackson. His award winning work on 60 Minutes is about as good as it gets and you can always count on "truth" whenever, whatever, he is reporting on. He is truly an African-American ICON and has made significant contributions to broadcast journalism.

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The Boondocks by Aaron McGruder

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Questions of the Day

1. If you could have a secret camera in any room in the world, what room would you put it in?

2. What are your Valentine's Day plans? Or just a regular day?

3. How many telephone numbers do you know from memory?

OK, I'm OUTTA. See you next Monday 'IN' The Undergroundrailroad