Bojangles was, to Negroes, a national treasure. He came out of vaudeville, and he was successful in the transition to legitimate theater and Hollywood. He was a cross over, he was popular among Blacks and Whites. In many movies he played the loyal servant part, however he did get to play opposite Lena Horne in a romantic lead. Parts were limited during this time for Negro actors.

Robinson was a hoofer, in Harlem there was the Hoofer's Club. There Robinson stayed in touch with his craft. He indeed had a wonderful talent for dance. He was known for his creation of the "stair-dance", a dance he says he created on the spur of the moment. The camel walk is another step he claimed. The camel walk has been claimed by a younger generation and called the "Moonwalk".

Robinson's performances with Shirley Temple made me want to dance before I could walk and talk. In 1951 my great-aunt took me to a movie and I saw Shirley Temple dance with Robinson. I must have wore out five or six pairs of shoes trying to dance like Shirley Temple and Robinson. I got to be pretty good.

My father would get me dressed up and take me around and show off his cute little girl. And he would take me to the juke joints in rural Louisiana, and he would put money into the juke box and stand me up on the bar and I would sing. I'd stand up there with my hand on my hips, with this cute little crinoline dress looking like a lampshade, and I'd belt out these songs like I'd seen the women do in church. I'd sing "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window", "Goodnight Irene",and "Your Cheating Heart". People would come to see me, and give me money. My mother finally caught up with us and put a stop to it, but who knows, I could have been another Shirley Temple.