Meet Delores Jones. Delores is a talented radio show host and women's empowerment speaker out of Kansas City, KS. Delores saw her dreams come true when she was given the chance to meet her heroes, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby. She was also included on page 225 of Bill Cosby's latest and incredibly popular book, "Come on People." Cosby was attracted to Delores' compelling story, for she has overcome a great deal to get to where she is today.
In many ways, Delores was a perfect fit for the Bill Cosby world: She started in poverty and through a commitment to education and solid personal choices, Delores was able to rise out of her circumstances. She earned both bachelors and masters degrees, and has become well-known in her city as a role model for young black women. Anyone can appreciate such a triumph.
But Delores found herself a bit dismayed when her life suddenly took a turn for the worse.
Being hit by the recession, Delores found herself without a source of income. Her house was in foreclosure and she had to give her car back to the dealership after being unable to afford the payments. She and her young son were in financial ruins and she slipped into a depression. But rather than drowning herself in self-pity, Delores picked herself up and began working on a book to empower young women. Needing some help to get the book established, she reached out to Cosby to get a one-line blurb that would help her to sell the book.
In spite of the fact that Cosby's representatives were very kind to Delores when asking her to appear in his book, their tone was completely different from the one used when they'd met her in the past. When Delores sent an email asking for the blurb, the person who replied simply told her (according to Delores), "He (Cosby) doesn't have time to do that."
Remembering The Cosby Show'
The Cosby Show: Where Are They Now?
Though it was a big deal when it first premiered on the NBC network on Sept. 20, 1984, no one could've expected that the groundbreaking sitcom 'The Cosby Show,' would resonate so well with national audiences and make history as one of the most successful TV shows in history. But it did. Revolving around the life and times of The Huxtables, an upper-middle class African-American family living in a brownstone building in Brooklyn, New York, the Bill Cosby-helmed series was TV's biggest hit in the 1980s, according to TV Guide. Blackvoices.com takes a look at the cast members then and now. (Photo: Everett Collection)
Bill Cosby: Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable
In the 1980's, the Huxtables dominated television for eight seasons. Bill Cosby's character Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable became everybody's father over the years. The obstetrician was funny, he was lighthearted and he was poignant all at the same time. Huxtable was just one of those characters who had a penchant for the silly and often found a means to teach his children without being one-dimensional. (Photo: NBC)
Bill Cosby: Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable
The former 'I Spy' star has had many a television projects following 'The Cosby Show' and has produced several shows. Most recently, though, he is noted for his acerbic diatribes on hip-hop culture and black America in general; all of this coming after a very messy, very public paternity case, and allegations of sexual abuse. Despite the fact that his new tone represents a sharp departure from his Cliff Huxtable persona, the Philadelphia born entertainment legend continues on and is even releasing a 'hip-hop' album in hopes of reaching the black community. (Photo: Wire Image)
Phylicia Rashad: Clair Huxtable
Attorney Claire Huxtable was eloquent, she was sweet beyond belief and she was the perfect addition to Cliff Huxtable's playful persona. In the 80s, every young black boy may have wanted her to be their "play mama" because she seemed too perfect. Few women on television have exuded the type of love that she seemed to have for her family. (Photo: AP)
Phylicia Rashad: Clair Huxtable
After the conclusion of the show, the Houston native would reprise her role as Cosby's wife -- this time playing Ruth Lucas on the CBS series, 'Cosby.' After the show ended in 2000, Rashad would do some work on the animated series 'Little Bill' and ultimately return to her Broadway roots. Most recently, the former 'Dreamgirls' star starred in the 2008 television adaptation of 'A Raisin in the Sun,' along side Sean "Diddy" Combs, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan all stars of the 2002 Broadway production ( for which she won a historic Tony Award). The former wife of NBA commentator Ahmad Rashad, the acclaimed actress is currently starring of the critically-acclaimed all-black Broadway version of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' (Photo: ABC)
Malcolm Jamal Warner: Theodore Aloysius "Theo" Huxtable
As Theo Huxtable, Malcolm Jamal-Warner was the lone son of the Cosby clan and served as more than anything, an image of young black male being raised with a very positive and supporting family. His inquisitive nature engendered him to the television audiences everywhere. (Photo: Everett Collection)
Malcolm Jamal Warner: Theodore Aloysius "Theo" Huxtable
Following the end of the show, Warner went through several sitcoms and made a variety of guest appearances, including the WB sitcom 'Malcolm & Eddie.' In 2003, the Jersey City native released his debut music project, 'The Miles Long Mixtape' after a brief stint hosting the BET poetry series 'Lyric Café.' In 2007, Warner followed up with his second CD entitled, 'Love & Other Social Issues' before getting back in front of the camera this year playing a Caribbean henchman in the Mathew McConaughey/Kate Hudson romantic comedy 'Fool's Gold.' (Photo: Wire Image)
Lisa Bonet: Denise Huxtable
Always the most idealistic out of the bunch, Bonet's character, Denise Huxtable was the free-spirited hippie of the show. She went off to the fictional Hillman College and became the centerpiece of her own spin-off 'A Different World.' She would later return to the show and then unexpectedly marry a military man. (Photo: Everett Collection)
Lisa Bonet: Denise Huxtable
Between her tenure on 'The Cosby Show,' Bonet was also the star of 'A Different World,' when she went to college. In 1987, the San Francisco-raised beauty experienced substantial controversy over her appearance in Alan Parker's dark drama 'Angel Heart' which featured explicit sex scenes that had to be cut down to avoid an X-rating. Since then, Lenny Kravitz's ex-wife and baby's mother has sporadically appeared in acclaimed films, including 'Biker Boyz,' 'Enemy of the State' and 'High Fidelity.' Last year, she reportedly gave birth to her third child. Acting wise, she's expected to appear in the Coen Brothers film 'Gambit' next year. (Photo: Wire Image)
Tempestt Bledsoe: Vanessa Huxtable
None of the 'Cosby' kids seemingly got into more trouble than Vanessa Huxtable. Whether it was one of her hair-brained schemes, pining over boys or getting drunk at a party, Vanessa was there. She epitomized a young teenage girl growing up as she was in her teens for much of the show. (Photo: Everett Collection)
The response to her second request was even more disappointing than the first. After asking the person for something that would literally take one of Cosby's people 10 seconds to do, the person said to Delores, "I told you he can't do it. Please don't ask again."
Delores was taken aback by the response of Cosby's representatives. In contradiction to the messages of self-help, civil rights, and community upliftment, she found herself abandoned by the very same people who were quick to use her support just a few months earlier. The book became a runaway best-seller, and Cosby earned large sums of money. The comedian used Delores' story as one of the selling points for the book, but according to Delores, she received no financial compensation. Not only was Delores uncompensated, but she could not get a one sentence blurb from Cosby and was also strangled by contractual restrictions regarding her rights to use any of the text from Cosby's book in order to promote her own. Her story is a reminder of that of Florence Ballard, played by Jennnifer Hudson in the film, "Dream Girls." Ballard was also kept by Motown from using her long-time affiliation with the Supremes in order to build her solo career.
Delores wrote an article about her experience and she talks about what happened in the audio below. Click below to listen!
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Distiniguished Scholar with the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research at The University of Texas Southern. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.
Comments: (72)
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By: Sheryl on 7/13/2009 1:09AM
Was Cosby himself, made aware of the situation? Because sometimes, "representatives" can be shrewed. I am interested to see how this unfolds.
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By: Joyce Martin Scott on 7/13/2009 3:34AM
Wait a minute! She wants to get paid for a page and a half of a 300 page book written by two best selling authors. Take her page and a half out and it is still a best seller. Did she sign a release? What is Cosby's side of the story? I actually read her portion of the book and it was not really that facinating. I know of more compelling stories right here in New York. The door was opened and she was not prepared to walk through it. That is not Cosby's fault.
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By: Delores Jones on 7/13/2009 11:47AM
Your comment is not surprising. Remember everything is not what it seems. Your opinion about my story is just that, your opinion. One person's story does not have to be compared to another person's struggle even in New York to be noteworthy or valuable. While I can appreciate your differencing of opinion I strongly disagree with your verdict. Perhaps you should read the book A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Dr. Ruby K. Payne to put my thoughts and experience in a proper perspective. As we all know it is so much easier to watch tv (Cosby Show reruns) and make emotional replies. Remember you are not my enemy, poverty is. Blessings. Delores
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By: Kathy Way-Giddarie on 7/13/2009 7:51AM
I read the story, heard Delores' commentary. I think that it is just incredible that she did not get a more respectful reply from the Cosby camp. I, myself have had a similar situation with a celebrity regarding their use of my late father's music. I simply wanted them to know that I was elated that it was used after so many years. That someone remembered him and his music. I got no response back at all. Further, my brother and I have got no royalties since my father's 1959 death. This celebrity and others have reaped the benefit of my father's contributions. No one has cared for his children's quality of life. I understand that his record company is set to rerelease my Dad's music soon. So I fully understand her dismay completely. By the way, this celebrity is a good friend to Mr. Cosby.
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By: Tammiem5 on 7/16/2009 1:07PM
You should contact an attorney
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By: shanika on 7/13/2009 8:54AM
She couldn't afford her car payments? Why did she have a car on credit? We buy old, used cars so that we don't have to take debt. I have no sympathy for those who spend outside of their means. Getting a car on credit is doing exactly that.
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By: wiseone on 7/13/2009 11:43AM
Oh come on don't you think that you are being a bit critical (even Too). Being that 85 pecent of vehicles sold are sold on credit. It is so easy to critisize. Try being a little less
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By: JAMES WILLIAMS on 7/14/2009 9:41AM
ONE THING I HATE ABOUT OUR PEOPLE IS, WE HATE TO ADMIT THE TRUTH. BILL CROSBEY SHOULD HAVE REPLIED TO THAT WOMAN. MAYBE THE PERSON SHE TALKED TO WAS AN IDIOT. MAYBE.I'VE SEEN YOU GUYS WHEN YOU CALL YOURSELF ON TOP. YOU THINK YOU ARE BETTER THAN US. THEN 'JOHN' PUTS YOU IN YOUR PLACE, AND YOU RUN BACK TALKING BLACK THEN. DON'T TALK THAT BLACK TALK TO ME. I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT.N........PLEASE.
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By: donna on 7/13/2009 11:05AM
She said she pulled herself up, by going to school getting a Bachalor and a Master's, so use that to promote your book. Why is it that when someone say they can't help, that they are forgetting where they came from. One person can't help everyone. My point with people who boast about a Master and a bachelor, is that all you are doing is saying you had the money to pay for it. If you would have taken that same money and invested in your own business maybe you wouldn't be in this mess. All a degree does is brainwash you and teaches you to work for someone else, in other words be a slave. Someone showed a letter written by a teacher to a student's mother about the son being disrespectful about what she was teaching, even though she was lying are wrong she felt that since she has the degree she is right. That is what is going on in school right now. My point is they say that the sun is so many miles from the earth. Who measured it? So you are taught to quote others and not yourself. That is why there are a lot of educated fools, with no common sense.
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By: Delores Jones on 7/13/2009 12:45PM
Donna. No one pulls themselves up by education only, it is simply a tool used to assist us. I am actually standing on the shoulders of others. My faith in God is supreme. While it would make sense to some to assume a defensive stance after reading your comments, I will not. I simply ask you to think deeper and look at the situation from all angles. I heard a story about a man who was collecting crabs.
The man knew that he needed to place a lid over the top of the bucket to prevent the individual crab from getting out. However, when he had collected at least 2 crabs he no longer needed the lid. Why? Because it is the nature of a crab to pull another crab down instead of assisting it. By no means am I calling you a crab. I would like for all of us to consider this when it comes to judging one another or our motives. My point with the book and how certain things 'might have been overlooked,' is that sometimes we don't get it. This is about mutual respect and unconditional regard for others. If you air or talk about others dirty laundry then be willing to buy the soap or share your soap or listen to how the person with the dirty laundry might want to handle his or her own stuff. Blessings. Remember, "Giving Up is Not an Option. Opportunities are Bountiful and You are Bound to Succeed."
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