It began one quiet winter evening in November of 1996. While viewing a PBS documentary on the Transportation Rail Industry in America at my home, I noticed that there was no mention of the African-American contributions. Deep feelings of anger mixed with frustrations stirred within me. I began to remember troubling history lessons from my childhood: lessons which left me feeling invisible.

In a world which is so diverse, we should expect history be painted with a much broader brush. Too many of our African American pioneers have been passed over or mentioned briefly, devoid of personality, with no recounting of their unyielding dreams - and considerable skills - in the face of enormous adversity. Why, I wonder, are our significant American deeds are still suppressed, even today?

The time has come when we, the living dream of our enslaved, deprived ancestors, must take on responsibility for telling their incredible saga. It’s important - it’s vital - for our children so that they may have a much firmer and more confident sense of their own true potential. 

Disturbed and upset by history’s omission, I began to research and painstakingly assemble facts on the African American presence in transportation. Lo and behold! What I discovered would surely make my children and all parents proud.

In my search, I came across a courageous pioneer who pressed on with his dreams during a very difficult historical period of race relations. As I looked deeper into the life of this man, I became truly amazed by his achievements. I grew to admire this forgotten genius who had been totally excluded from the New York transit annals.

Black history should not be regulated outside of the American experience…but rather at its core. Granville T. Woods’ voice cried out to me, echoing loudly in my mind to reveal his untold saga. So began my journey……..