Thomas Lets Mom Be Witness To History

M arian Robinson wasn't the only mother beaming with pride Monday night when Michelle Obama filled Denver's Pepsi Center with emotions and tears.

Spotted on national television on MSNBC's broadcast was Romaine Thomas, a retired educator, Democratic activist, mother of D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) and widow of former council member Harry Thomas Sr.

It wasn't quite 15 minutes of fame. Not even 15 seconds. Five seconds at the most. But she looked enthralled, enough for the camera to zero in on her.

She wasn't supposed to be there, Harry Thomas Jr. said.

"She was in my seat. It was so important to me for her to watch Michelle Obama. That was my mama sitting in prime time. She's the star," he said.

Romaine Thomas said she has received several calls about her brief appearance. She had a floor pass to the convention center as a member of the Democratic State Committee, she said, but she was happy to take her son's seat to see what she called a historic moment.

"It was such an exhilarating experience to see this young woman deliver the speech the way she did," said Thomas, 79, who is also active in AARP. "It was a humble and honest approach." Thomas said Obama spoke to all ages and races and to people in general. "I was almost ready to cry," she said.

Her son, a superdelegate, had his own day of fame a while back when he announced that he was switching his support from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), adding to the momentum that was building for Obama. Where was he in Denver? "I was there. I just wasn't inside the convention center," he said.

More Than Gospel

Not everybody who traveled to Denver this week was at the Democratic National Convention for politics. Six-time Grammy Award winner Richard Smallwood of the District was one of the featured artists during an interfaith service at the convention center.

Smallwood stirred up delegates with "Total Praise," one of his hits, and he is also scheduled to provide the music for today's Unity Breakfast, where many African American leaders and civil rights veterans will join younger activists.

"Being a part of this historic convention has to be one of the greatest honors of my life," Smallwood said. The convention marks the end of a long, painful journey for African Americans, he said. "When I think of the significance of Senator Obama's campaign, I think of the people who died, who were lynched, who were shot, who were attacked by dogs, so this day could happen."

Smallwood spent most of the week practicing for today's breakfast, where a who's who of black leaders will mark the 45th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic March on Washington. Among those scheduled to speak will be two of King's children, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King, actors Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood, the Rev. Joe Lowery, the Rev. Al Sharpton and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.).

More Than a Commentator

Joe Madison often tells his listeners at WOL (1450 AM) that he is not a journalist but a commentator, but Madison looked like he had a change of heart in Denver this week. He and Art Fennell have been co-hosting TV One's convention coverage, complete with official headsets.

More Than Technology

Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee wasn't the only Fenty administration official to be trotted out at the Democratic National Convention this week. Vivek Kundra, the District's chief technology officer, is also in Denver. Kundra told D.C. Wire that he was speaking on two panels, including one with Google, which has partnered with the District on some Web initiatives.

Kundra said that he took personal leave time to attend the convention and that he is working from his hotel room this week to monitor any potential technology problems related to the opening of schools. "We have a war room set up here," he said. "If I can't use technology to keep in touch, that would be a problem."

Kundra has other high-profile connections in Denver: He served as assistant secretary of commerce and technology for Virginia under Gov. Tim Kaine (D).

Staff writer David Nakamura contributed to this report.