Black History Month: Finding Extraordinary Love Stories During Time Of Slavery

DETROIT (WWJ) - "I came across a good story," says veteran journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Betty DeRamus.

Known also as a poet and author, DeRamus has a love for stories of African American ancestry after hearing of accounts of enslaved people who went through extraordinary lengths to stay together because of love.

A literary pied-piper; whatever she writes people will read.

"And it inspired me to start thinking maybe there are some more stories about what we did for love and I began researching them and after a couple of years I discovered I had a book that somebody actually wanted to publish," says DeRamus.

"Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad" the first DeRamus book to be published, tells of love stories from the underground railroad.

The book was published in 2005 and has been picked up by a major television network, which is planning a mini-series based on the stories, DeRamus tells WWJ's Stephanie Davis.

Motown great Stevie Wonder is producing the series.

DeRamus, a Detroit News columnist and avid traveler, says her first lesson in writing was from a sportswriter who told her to always grab the readers' attention first.

"I was keeping that in mind - there are a million things people could be doing, they don't have to be reading my words - so I've got to grab them by the eyeballs."

DeRamus will be inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in April.

WWJ Newsradio 950 celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our local young African American professionals and their heroes – you can hear these reports throughout the day: 6:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 3:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.