“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius. He was a pioneer in the television and music industries and his legacy and influence on American culture will continue to live on for many generations to come. He made Soul Train a destination for lovers of black culture and music and connected the world to our culture and we are forever grateful,” said Debra L. Lee, Chairman & CEO of BET Networks.“We owe so much of our success to him, he built the space for the creation of a BET, built a platform for the music that our audience loves and gave a voice to countless artists that shaped black culture and beyond—his impact can’t be measured. He will be missed, but remembered at every wedding, party and family reunion forever with the enduring Soul Train line.”
“Don Cornelius was the heart of Soul Train,” stated Paxton Baker, EVP & GM, Centric. “There were so many different things he affected through a one-hour television show that was nothing short of amazing. Much like BET and network founder Bob Johnson, Don Cornelius provided to Americans, African-Americans in particular, the opportunity to start working in this business in positions that were otherwise closed to them.”