With the creation of Soul Train, Cornelius was at the helm of a program that showed African Americans in a new light, creating a Black is Beautiful Campaign. Originally a journalist and inspired by the civil rights movement, Cornelius recognized that in the late 1960s there were very few television venues in the United States for soul music
| Born | Donald Cortez Cornelius September 27, 1936 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | February 1, 2012 Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | DuSable High School |
| Occupation | Television host, producer |
| Years active | 1966–2012 |
| Home town | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Delores Harrison (m. 1956; div. ????) Viktoria Chapman (m. 2001; div. 2009) |
| Children | 2 |
Soul Train As writer, producer, and host of Soul Train, Cornelius was instrumental in offering wider exposure to black musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson, as well as creating opportunities for talented dancers, setting a precedent for popular television dance programs. Cornelius said, "We had a show that kids gravitated to," and Spike Lee described the program as an "urban music time capsule".
Cornelius closed the show each week with the phrase, “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 soul!”
The Soul Train Music Awards, which honor the best in black music and entertainment, were created in 1987 and are broadcast annually on the BET TV channel.
