Musings of a Black Boomer: The Divine Ms. Carroll

3 min readOct 5, 2019

During college, I had a job that proved to be one of the most important jobs I ever had in life. I worked in the Men’s Department of Neiman Marcus. It was a wonderful training ground in many respects. I learned the difference between style and fashion. I learned how to observe and listen, quickly, to understand an issue. But, most importantly, I learned to meet and greet to strangers from all walks of life. I met athletes and politicians, rogues and captains of industry. I garnered some of my most valuable life lessons there on the sales floor.

One Saturday afternoon, a man and his wife came into the department. He was dressed in dirt-stained overalls, his hair was mussy, and he hadn’t shaved in a week. His wife was quiet in her frock and cloth coat. Both husband and wife had wide, bright smiles and remarkably perfect teeth. My colleagues all found other more pressing things to do. No one wanted to waste precious time on folks who obviously had little money and couldn’t appreciate the fine broadcloth, worsted wool, and silk brocade that we had to offer.

I, on the other hand, was intrigued.

Well, I bet you can guess what happened. The old farmer owned half of South Georgia. He had more money than Rockefeller and, on top of that, we had a delightful conversation about his life, my ambition, and all manner of things. His wife insisted that I help her in the Fur Department, as well. You should have seen the faces of my buddies as I piled up suits and jackets and this and that. Oh, what fun!

Just before closing that day, the store manager made a rare visit to the department. He came to compliment me on the way I handled the country bumpkin who happened to be a very VIP. Then he asked a favor. A celebrity was coming to the store to shop after closing. The boss wanted to know if I’d mind staying late to assist. I’d already made enough that day to pay my rent for the next three months, anything more was just gravy.

When she turned the corner I saw the most magnificent woman I’d ever seen. With her full length mink draped effortlessly over her shoulders, Diahann Carroll was simply breathtaking. She was a bonafide star and it showed. She was beautiful. She was glamorous. She had every reason to be haughty and peremptory. But she was kind, considerate, and couldn’t have been more gracious to an awestruck kid she’d never met.

There are some days that you never forget.