Rev. Al Sharpton Speaks on Don Cornelius' Death

The activist recalls first meeting the pioneer and his contribution to black music

"I am shocked and grief stricken by the reported news of the suicide of Don Cornelius, the creator of Soul Train. I have known him since I was 19-years-old and James Brown had me speak on Soul Train. We have maintained a friendship for the last 38-years. He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a global level. Had it not been for Don Cornelius we would not have ever transcended from the Chitlin circuit to become mainstream cultural trendsetters."

[Also Read: Don Cornelius' Most Memorable Interviews]