CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Young, Gifted and Black

February 13, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

February is Black History Month When I worked in the advertising department of a large St. Louis department store, the corporation would schedule a full-page advertisement in February that recognized Black History Month. The ad, crafted by the designers and art directors at headquarters in New York City, would often … Read More

Angel Of The Morning

February 6, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

“Hiiee…” The two-syllable greeting pierced the darkness that held me abed and instantly brought me awake. Sitting up, I saw the backlit forms of my 20-month-old granddaughter and her mother; Myah was waving to me and saying “hi.” My daughter, who had come into my room to activate the baby … Read More

The Other Side Of The Bed

January 30, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

The TV show “CBS Sunday Morning” is one of my favorite viewing options, one I seldom miss. On a recent Sunday, after seeing the tribute to the African-American mess attendant who, despite being barred from that particular duty in the Navy, manned a gun while his ship was being bombed … Read More

A Bit Of Magic

January 23, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

The peal of a bell drew me from my basement lair to answer the front door. A man wearing a yellow and blaze-orange vest stood a respectful distance back from the door, and said, “Hi; I’m Rob from AT&T.” I returned his greeting and listened as he explained the purpose … Read More

Do The Right Thing

January 16, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

“That’ll be three dollars, hon,” the woman told me. “Oh, it’s more than that,” I chuckled. I was in the convenience store attached to the gas station where I had gone to purchase a Sunday morning copy of The New York Times. The clerk was apparently not well acquainted with … Read More