Here, what comes to mind . Little Leslie Uggams standing there on that stage with an act that was 20 minutes long where i tap danced, and she has this big bow and this little, pleated dress. And i was as cute as a button. [laughter] ive done so many things in so many different avenues, and i think it really is because i got my start at this theater. Because it was like going to school because you were watching these incredible artists, and you learned from them, and you watched how they engaged an audience, and it was a tough audience. Still is tough, but it was really tough when i was starting. I mean, if you were not good, vegetables could land on the [laughter] be it was that experience stage and winning a tony for her role in hallelujah baby. But it was on television where Leslie Uggams would make history as the first female africanamerican host of a variety show while also making her work behind the scenes by hiring black personnel. Because we had the talent to do it, and we just werent given the opportunities. And i felt that i wanted to speak up and say, hey, you need some flavor here. But if we dont say, hey, we need people to have jobs, who is . She would make her mark yet again, this time as part of the ensemble behind what became a True Television phenomenon, alec haleys roots. None of us expected what happened. I was in vegas rehearsing guys and dolls, and after the first show people were, you know, walking through the casino, and people were kind of looking. Because i hadnt come on yet. People were, like, oh and then i couldnt get room service because everybody was staying in to watch roots even in the casinos. And ann margaret called me up, and she said, leslie, weve changed the time of the show because nobody wants to miss roots, and so shows went on later. After roots was over, they would do the show. Now, nearly four decades later, Leslie Uggams is being introduced to a whole new generation on the big screen, playing blind al in marvels recentlyreleased deadpool. Its totally unexpected how people know me. I am totally out of the box, and thats what i loved about it. And at the same time, another strong black character. Because, you know, she doesnt take any sass from mr. Deadpool. And you guessed right, shes making her longawaited return to television in the hit show every now and then i say i should be on that show [laughter] because i love it so much. To get an opportunity to join this phenomenal show, so beautifully written and incredible hiphop music as well, im thrilled. I cant wait. But beyond all of her success, Leslie Uggams remembers those who have shown her the way and enjoys the opportunity of passing that torch. Im always being taught by cicely. Every time she does manager, wow, can i do that, you know . So youre willing to take it in, take it in. I used to say steal all the good stuff. [laughter] such a pleasure. Nope, you get a oh, thank you. Well, i love you. Channel 5 is lucky to have you. My gosh, no. Thank you so much, miss u. Basketball hall of Famer Walt Frazier helped bring the New York Knicks their only two championships. A powerful force on the court who defied the odds off of it. I wear these every day, man, with a lot of pride. This is symbolic of a perfect season. Everything has to go right. I dont live upon this, you know, but i wear them. When i dont have them on, i feel naked, you know . Bellishing who i am and what ive accomplished in life embellishing who i am and what ive accomplished in life. A life that began in atlanta, georgia, where he learned to play basketball on a dirt field, the only playground available to blacks in the segregated south. In retrospect, i think thats one of the best things that ever happened to me, growing up under to presentation of segregation. Thats who i am today, thats why im dressed this way. Because when i went downtown, i had to wear my best clothes, put on my best manners, and my parents said not only are you representing the fraziers, youre representing your race. I remember when i played basketball, if i scored 30 points, the coach would bring me an article. So by doing that i could never rest on my lawfuls. No matter how good you are, youve got to be twice as good as this guy, because hes going to get the job. Sheer determination led him to new york where he was drafted in the first round by the knicks but he never lost sight of where he came from. When i came here, i was 22, man, and the greatest city in the world. Living my dream. So i was just having fun. But i always took time to talk to people, try to give back and help those that wanted to help themselves. Thats my image. Which brings us to present day and the new chapter in Walt Fraziers life, broadcaster. Basketball legend, new york city icon and, yes, restauranteur, where he always takes time to talk to fans at fraziers wine and dine. I like the motif. It is a replica of my suit. Oh, wow. [laughter] this is also where hes finding out that hes inspiring a whole new generation of fans. Kids that are 5 and 10 years old are telling me, clyde, youre the best knick ever and the inspiration ive added to their lives. So its a whole spectrum that i it keeps me very humble. Thats why you always see me with a smile on my face. This new chapter is giving him an opportunity to reflect on his past. My mother had me when she was 16, so we had a very close relationship. And she provided the impetus for everything that i did in sports. Because i wanted to buy her a she was always talking about a house with a big kitchen. [laughter] so i remember i used to pray at night, god, please let me be a basketball player, Football Player so i can buy my mom this house. So in 1973 i was able to do that. So for me at that time, that was why i played the game. Ive tried to live a respectful life, tried to do it with pride, class, dignity, giving back, showing respect to other people. And if i had to do it all over again, i dont think i would really change anything at this point my life. Toughest opponent you ever faced on the court. Nobody gave the clyde trouble. [laughter] jazz legend, cultural icon, international celebrity, we lost the beloved Louie Armstrong 45 years ago, but his hometurned museum is opening its door toss a whole new generation. Its in the middle of corona, queens, part of suburbia. But tell us about the importance of making sure that it stays here. So much of luis story is really a heros journey. He started off extremely poor as a child. When i say poor, im talking presafety net poverty. He became one of the greatest trumpet players in new orleans. Once he moved to chicago, he pretty much took over the world. When you hear all these realize hes living in a regular home in queens. This was a place for him to collect his thoughts, it was a place for him to archive his life. This kitchen was built in 1970, very influenced by the worlds fair which was a couple blocks from here. I always say this was like a George Jetson kitchen. They thought this was what the future would look like in that time period. You know, him and lucille, they didnt have any children. But when he would come home on the band bus, he would hit the horn, and neighborhood children would surround the bus, they would bring in the equipment, the luggage, he would line them up in front of the television and feed them ice cream. His nickname was my little ice cream eaters. Youll notice like Martin Luther kings funeral, he sat there and watched it on television and recorded it with his own microphone, with his own commentary. So these were issues for him. But he saw himself culturally as a musician. He saw himself as a person who could make great change through what he did best which was his music. Which was his music, yeah. Up next, singer and song and life after the passing of they were the dynamic songwriting team behind some of motowns biggest hits as well as a successful performing pop duo, we can only be talking about ashford and simpson. But even after her husbands untimely passing five years ago, Valerie Simpson is still keeping alive. Walking through sugar war is like bar is like taking a step through african history. But to Valerie Simpson, her new york city eatery also reflects a step forward for a new generation of talent. Thats what this place represents. Thats what the sugar bar represents, a platform, a stage where you can get it on. And ive seen some of these kids go on and do great things, you know . From this stage, broadway stage. Its phenomenal, but it can happen. Its magical. And that magic happened for then17yearold Valerie Simpson from the bronx when she met another aspiring artist from michigan name bed nicholas ashford. He came to new york, and he wanted to make it as a dancer, and somebody told him he wasnt doing too well with the dancing. They said, well, you can get a free meal up at white rock, and that was my church. He came up there not to see me, but for the food. Because he wrote gospel songs. Soon they began to sing together in the church choir. But little did they know, it would be their talent behind the music that would change their lives forever. I played the piano, played in church, but i hadnt written songs. But that was his forte. So because i could play so well, he and i just started, you know, fooling around at the piano, and we just had a great chemistry. And so that let me know i didnt know there was a career to be had as a songwriter, you know . I didnt know that, you know, somebody would record your songs and you would make money. That wasnt even i was having so much fun. After giving ray charles a hit in 1966, ashford and simpson got a call from the hottest Record Company in the business, motown. They listened to our demos, they loved what they heard, and they sent us a ticket. We were, like, this is it. Motown . Are you kidding . That was a writers dream. Marvin gaye and tammy terrell. The first song we gave them was aint no Mountain High enough, and when we had that song, its like you got a golden apple in your pocket. This cant fail. And sure enough, you know, it was just what they needed to launch their duet career. Aint no Mountain High enough, aint no valley low enough and hit after hit kept coming. Soon nick and valerie would face their biggest challenge yet, producing the debut solo album for diana ross. She was the darling of the company, and so the challenge of coming up with something special, you know, just was, like, it was on us. We picked aint no Mountain High enough to redo, and nick liked dianas speaking voice. He said it was so sexy. I didnt get it, but he liked it, you know . [laughter] he was right. If you need me, call me. Took it to number one. So but with so much success behind the stage, val and nick began to think about stepping onto the stage. Our contracts were up as writers, and we were deliberating over whether, you know, we should stay or we should launch a solo career. We thought, well, maybe its time to, you know, take a leap of faith and just, you know, step out on our own. And the rest is music history. After a trip to the altar in the 70s, ashford and simpson had a string of hit songs both on their own and for other artist, but their biggest hit came in 1984. And now were solid, solid as a rock. The married pop duo would continue to make music and magic together until 2011 when nick ashford passed away. When you lose someone and youre part of a duo the way we were and have to experience that predecessor to, you know, your own transition. Its also about my life. And it makes the music more important. It lets me know that it touched people, and it really is a solace to you when you hear the real effect and how people are genuinely moved by all it is that youve done or attempted to do. I truly miss him, i mean, because, you know, there wasnt nobody like this guy. So sitting down to the piano to write a song without the aid or help of that, you know, person that im used to all the time. And i didnt want to immediately jump into another partnership. I said let me just see, you know, whats inside valerie. So thats a new journey. Chapter. So we just have to see how how it unfolds, you know . But its going to be fun. From business to the arts, the Greater Harlem Chamber of commerce has been the driving force behind the renaissance of as it celebrates its 120th anniversary, at its helm is its president , boyd williams. I think what impresses me most about the chamber is its motto; the business of business is people. I stand on some lofty shoulders. I succeeded the honorable percy e. Sutton. He said to me one day, lloyd, the keyword is common. And he said if we remember what we have in common, we will become communal. And if we become communal, we will communicate. And if we communicate, we will have a community. So harlem has a symbolic importance, a strategic importance, and thats what we harlem is a state of mind. And we say that we all live in a harlem state of mind. Coming up, the legendary ben when we return. Hes a ledge jebled of stage and screen, from his tonyaward winning performance in pippen to his unforgettable role in roots, ben vereen has paveed the way for many and continued to do so to this very day. Four, five, six i never went into this business for the accolades of stardom. I went into this business because it was a calling. It was something i had to do. I did not know that at the time. I was just this kid running around the streets of brooklyn having a good time and sitting and canning on the corners and, you know, singing in churches and things like that. And when i got to broadway and i saw the marquees, i said, wow, the shows up there. There were certain artists who would be headlining, but i my name would be up there as headliner. I just wanted to be on that stage. But even after finding success on that stage, it would be his role in the Landmark Television event roots that allowed him to find something even more profound. I cannot feel what great, great, great, great grandma and grandpa went through in order for me to be here; the pain, the suffering, the beatings, the running, the screamings in the night, the mother being, you know, used as a breeder rather than a queen that she truly is. But sitting there preparing for that role, it was a year that the long ships came into the the harbor in new york city, and we were celebrating. And i sat there watching it in tears because i knew that my people came to this country as cargo, and it really pained me. And then we were going off on the set to shoot roots. It was powerful. Days, you know, ben vereen still working, till doing his thing, still mentoring. Yes. Had i known the terrain, i probably would have done it a little differently, but im here today. And those things that ive gone through and am going through today are all part of the lessons that we all have to learn in life, at least i had to learn. Ive made mistakes, ive hit my head a few times. But the idea and i fell. But i got up. I didnt get up, something within me got me up. We sang a song in church in those days called theres something within me i cannot explain, theres something within me that holds the rain. All i can say, theres something within. Thank you so much for talking to us. My pleasure. [laughter] so much. Honor. Thank you so much for joining us for this very special celebration of black history. And for all of us here at fox 5, im antwan lewis. Thanks for watching. All across america families are for a whole new experience. Thats because weve been working hard to give you better service, and it shows. Pwe came back for internet speeds so fast even the kids are impressed. Oh shes impressed. Were catching up on movies and shows on demand just as fast as we can watch them. For 89. 99 a month youll get 100 meg ultrafast internet, popular hd channels and unlimited calling. Twcs home wifi is so strong we can use all our devices at the same time. 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