Did any of you see last night's NBC network special, “Inside the Obama White House?”

It was the first of a two-part feature. NBC News’ Brian Williams and a huge camera crew were given unprecedented access to a day in the life of a U.S. president. What they got was pretty cool. (My favorite part was when President Obama and his security detail went to snatch some take-out burgers in the middle of the day from Five Guys.)

I didn’t cry the night Obama was elected, didn’t get all goose-bumpy as I stood on the frozen National Mall to watch him take the oath of office. I’m just not wired that way. Maybe it’s the ever-observing reporter in me.

Last night was different.

For the first time since Nov. 4, the magnitude of having a “brotha” in the White House hit me. It really did happen, and there he was – a black man – in control of the most powerful nation in the history of mankind. I've known that all along, of course, on some intellectual level. But seeing him last night in that historic mansion really brought it home.

And, I gotta say, that’s one cool cat. (Of course, it’s hard not to be when your ride is a bulletproof black limo with the presidential seal on the headrest.)

There's a lot we as African Americans could get down about. Seems everywhere I turn of late someone is spouting a grim statistic about black children and education, usually in relation to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. All true, and hugely distressing.

I'll save that dread for another day. Just for today, I'll focus on the obvious progress we've made. Our enslaved ancestors sure would be proud.

Part II is tonight at 9, and we get to see the personal side of life in the White House. That means Michelle Obama... and Bo the dog.