Years ago, before Ving Rhames became a household name; he was in NYC, and looking for an apartment. I just happened to be the administrative assistant, sitting at the reception desk when he walked into the office. The company that I was then employed is not as important as the gentleman that Mr. Rhames is.

When he walked in, I asked, "May I help you?" He answered that he had just arrived in New York City (Manhattan), and was in need of an apartment. I asked him to have a seat and I checked out the list of agents that would be able to assist him. It's sad to say that in this office, we did not have a real estate agent of color. And my function was to assist in running the office. I assigned an agent, who spoke with Ving, then disappeared into our listings area. Ving looked at me and said, "Why can't you show me an apartment?"

I explained that I didn't have a license. He replied, "Well, you should get one." I asked what he did for a living and he told me that he was an actor. As he left the office with one of the agents who happened to be white, I recalled thinking, "What a proud brother." I felt honored to be in his presence. A few months later, I saw him on the big screen and its been smooth sailing for Ving, since that chance encounter.

After Michael Vick had his horrible moment with dog fighting, it appeared that the media tried to associate every black male with a dog, to dog fighting. Months later, Ving, forever the humble brother, had to explain, when the media accused him of being instrumental with this sport, on the nighttime magazine shows such as "Entertainment Tonight" etc., "I'm sorry, really, that the press gave such a negative report of the situation that his family (this caretaker's) had to deal with. The reason was sickle cell anemia, he only had three (dog) bites on him. Even the coroner said there was no way the dogs could have done that (killed him). I would just like the media to make an apology ..."

Again, Ving strong and so wise and not bitter, is a true gentleman.

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