Bwir 2023

#BlackWomenInRadio

What began as a social media hashtag in 2017, leads to Black Women In Radio (BWIR) accepting a White House invitation before leading three special sessions at the nation’s largest and most respected repository of culture and history, the Library of Congress.

Unprecedented accomplishment for BLACK women

To have a historical collection REVERED AS A MUCH NEEDED SOLUTION TO REMEDY THE EXCLUSION OF MINORITY WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY

75 YEARS OF AMERICAN BROADCAST HISTORY AS TOLD BY 39 STELLAR RADIO VETERANs

partnerships with

the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff library, and the Radio Preservation Task Force (RPTF) of the Library of Congress’s National Recording Preservation Board

PRESS

WUSA TV interview with BWIR Inaugural 30 Member Cortney Hicks and BWIR founder and curator Felèsha Love

ANGELA GREENE

Executive Producer of WAOK’s number 1 talk show. WAOK is Atlanta’s only Black Talk radio station of years. Journalist and Child Advocate Angela Greene has her work show cased in the Mississippi African American Civil Rights Museum. She hosts Jazz Flavors on WPGN, the only jazz show on this gospel platform.

ANGELA STRIBLING

International jazz singer and multitalented Angela Stribling, adored by many, is the hostess of the very engagingly sexy late night radio show "Pillow Talk With Angela" on 96.3 WHUR and Sirius/SM Channel 141. Her first single, "Pillow Talk" produced by multiple Grammy award winner, Marcus Miller and featuring Will Downing and Gerald Albright.

ANGELA YEE

Yee’s highly anticipated “Way Up with Angela Yee” is on 30 iHeartMedia stations across the country. The two time Gracie award winner, Angela Yee is inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2020.

ANN TRIPP

Ann Tripp is an award-winning News Director at WBLS and WLIB Radio. She delivers news and views on the nationally-syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show and provides updates on Get Up! Morning's with Erica Campbell. Ann's career began at 14, known for her conversational news delivery. She has worked at various stations, including WKTU and WRKS, where she co-hosted top-rated shows and served as a news commentator. Ann has taught broadcast journalism and received recognition such as Congressional and New York City Council Proclamations, as well as honors from the New York State Broadcasters Association. She is a trailblazer and recognized as part of the inaugural class of Black Women in Radio listed by the U.S. Library of Congress.

BELINDA “BP” PARKER

A South Carolina great, “BP” host and producer of several shows : “The Golden Time of day with BP” that airs 7p-10p on WXST Star 99.7; “Block Party with BP” 8 years running Friday Nights from 7p-10p in Columbia SC at WWDM 101.3, and on Saturdays 3-7p in Charleston SC at WXST STAR 99.7.

BIONCÉ FOXX

She’s a household name in Chicago after rocking the airwaves for nearly 20 years Foxx on the Box Show at iHeartMedia’s 107.5 WGCI, and now The Bioncé Foxx Experience weekdays on Chicago’s V103.

BONNIE DESHONG

Bonnie “Hey Baby” DeShong is a legend in Chicago Radio as a Co-host, Entertainment, and/or Traffic Reporter on WGCI, WVAZ, and WSRB for over 30 years. She worked side by side with Tom Joyner, Doug Banks, John Monds, and Tony Richards. Bonnie had 15 minutes of national television fame in an episode of “The Martin Lawrence Show.” She was a film critic for FOX 32 Chicago, guest Co-host on ABC-7 Chicago’s 190 North, and the Co-host of the City of Chicago’s “CHICAGO WORKS” show. Currently, she writes entertainment articles for the Chicago/Gary Crusader newspaper and Chicagonow.com.

CARLA FERRELL

Program Director of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Carla Ferrell broadcasts live each day from 6 -10 a.m. EST, on the #1 syndicated morning show in America which is heard on more than 100 radio stations by nearly seven million weekly listeners.

CAROL BLACKMON

Carol Blackmon is a legendary Atlanta radio personality for nearly thirty years known for morning show cohost of the Mike and Carol Morning Show on V103 and former syndicated host with The Chubb Rock Show with the late SiMan Baby. Currently, television host for the Georgia Lottery and, Mega Millions.

CATHY HUGHES

Media Mogul and Radio Icon Cathy Hughes is Founder & Chairwoman of ulta- successful URBAN ONE, Inc. A pioneer and legend in her own right, Hughes coined the phrase “super-serving the community”which she’s demonstrated for decades. Hughes is the power of one – one woman, one vision, one company - Urban One. Her unprecedented career has spawned a multi-media conglomerate that generates original content across the spectrum of radio, television and digital media. Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, is the largest African-American owned, diversified media corporation in the nation. It reaches more than 80-percent of the African- American market through its subsidiaries: Radio One, an urban market leader with over 55 broadcast radio stations; TV One and CLEO-TV, two cable television networks; and Reach Media, Inc.

CORTNEY HICKS

Award winning Cortney served as Music Director and Afternoon Host for V101.9FM and Entertainment Contributor for "Good Day Charlotte" on FOX46. Before fully transitioning to TV, she was apart of the inaugural line-up on 105.1 The Bounce in Detroit. In 2019, Cortney joined FOX54 WFXG in Augusta, GA as Morning Anchor and was promoted to Evening Anchor the following year. Currently, she can be heard on KISS 103.1 in Central Texas and as the voice for multiple ad campaigns and commercials nationwide.

DEDE MCGUIRE

DeDe McGuire, the hardest working woman in radio! A trailblazer and industry leader who has been entertaining radio audiences and one of only a few women nationwide to have her very own nationally syndicated morning show - "DeDe in the Morning" on K104FM (Dallas). Listen to KKDA/K104 FM “DeDe in the Morning” live weekdays from 5AM until 10AM CST or you can stream it at www.myk104.com.

DYANA WILLIAMS

Dyana Williams is known for her illustrious career as on-air talent on "Afternoon Delight," and the award winning “Soulful Sunday” with Derrick Sampson.” A frequent commentator on the highly acclaimed TV One music series, UNSUNG, Williams helped establish June, Black Music Month (with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Kenny Gamble and broadcaster Ed Wright) and was recognized for her music activism in the White House by Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush.

Your Lady Edie Bee

Radio Personality -Author-Vocalist--Founder of the National Jazz Heritage Foundation-Board Member National Black Radio Hall of Fame. Shows: RSVP (rare songs, very personal) -BRHF Internet Radio Jazz on the B-Side

EGYPT SHERROD

Award winning television and radio host, author, real estate broker, designer, life coach and coveted speaker, Egypt is a POWERHOUSE on HGTV & OWN. She is host and co- executive producer of “Married To Real Estate,” “Flipping Virgins,” “Property Virgins” and has been seen hosting OWN’s reunion specials for “Love & Marriage Huntsville,” “Put A Ring On It,” & “The Haves and The Have Nots.” Egypt and husband Mike Jackson, have also connected with married couples everywhere as they unpacked their baggage on OWN’s “Black Love Doc.”

FELÈSHA LOVE

A former 5x morning show co-host (Atlanta’s KISS 104 and HOT 97.5), she is passionate about teaching people to wake up to their true self as the premiere Go-To Wellness Strategist. Love is a published Mind-Body author whose parallel careers in radio and wellness fuels her company MySpiritFitness Management Group which provides her signature Self Mastery programs, business workshop/retreats, as well as, her “Two Minute Manager,” and “Wellness Moment Shows.”

Felèsha Love is Founder and President of Black Women In Radio (BWIR), and its Historical Society 501(c)3 after broadcasting 32 years in Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincinnati and the regional southeast.

First Lady

Owner of JAM 98 “Music For Your Soul," Multimedia personality, Educator, Spokesperson, Mentor, Billboard Award winning Radio Music and Radio Programmer, BWIR Executive Board Member, LEGENDS Committee Member

FRANKIE DARCELL

Multi award winning Radio/TV personality Frankie Darcell is recognized in publications and on prominent media outlets for her high profile informational shows. In March 2013, Frankie Darcell was the only woman in the country to host a successful afternoon drive radio show in two major cities at the same time: WDAS-FM 105.3 in Philadelphia and WMXD-FM 92.3 in Detroit. Her nationally syndicated weekend radio show appears in over 20 markets and on iHeartRadio. Darcell is also Executive Producer of Ntozake Shange’s Off-Broadway play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf,” Eve Ensler’s "Vagina Monologues,“ and “Miss Metro Teen Pageant,” which gifted $25,000 in scholarships to young women.

CHATTY HATTIE LEEPER

One on America’s first Black female disc jockeys Chatty Hattie Leeper is Charlotte N.C. first Black female on WGIV at the tender age of 17. Businesswoman and educator Leeper started her own record label called Aware and later became a record store owner of several locations. She served as a college professor and Dean of Communications at Gaston College for 11 years. The Black Radio Hall of Fame, and the National Black Radio Hall of Fame organizations inducted Leeper. The Smithsonian recently included her contributions in an upcoming museum exhibit. https://www.wcnc.com/article/entertainment/music/charlotte-radio-legend-inducted-into-black-radio-hall-of-fame- chatty-hattie-leeper/275-fd73f5c7-4b64-49af-8a56-3bfb06bf270f

HELEN R. LITTLE

Helen Little is a media personality, writer, speaker, coach, model, meditation teacher and lover of life with a professional journey that has spanned over thirty years. She has held national corporate positions in both radio and records for AM/FM (now iHeartMedia) and Warner Brothers Music. Little is midday personality for New York's 106.7 Lite FM and is the most listened-to non-syndicated personality in radio, reaching more people than anyone in any day part, in any format in the country! Helen can also be heard on the iHeartRadio digital network that serves millions of subscribers and is home to The Public Library Podcast for which she is the creator, host, editor, and producer. In addition, she hosts middays in Philadelphia on 106.1The Breeze

JASMINE SANDERS

Featured on BET, Billboard, Medium, Urban Radio Nation, HLN, EUR Web and AOL’s Black Voices, award-winning radio personality Jasmine Sanders is co-host of the nationally syndicated “The D.L. Hughley Show.” Ranked as one of radio’s premiere nationally syndicated Black female personalities, she dominates the airwaves with over 7 million weekly listeners, in over 70 markets nationwide.

JOYCE LITTEL

Joyce Littel reigns over 39 years as host the top-ranked, night time show in Atlanta, the Quiet Storm ,and for 15 of those years hosted Love & Relationships, both heard on CBS Radio Atlanta’s, V-103 (WVEE-FM). She is currently Program Director for Atlanta’s only Black Talk Station and a recent inductee into The National Black Radio Hall of Fame.

KAREN M.TURNER

Former career Radio News Director, Karen M. Turner, is an associate professor and director of the broadcast journalism concentration in the Department of Journalism at Temple University. Turner served as department chair from 2000-2003, is a past president of the Faculty Senate and a founding member and currently director of Temple’s Academic Center on Research in Diversity (ACCORD). She received Temple’s highest teaching honor in 2021 – The Great Teacher award.

KESHA MONK

In 2021, Kesha Monk made history as the first African American woman to LIVE announce at the Tony Awards! Her voice is on spots for the Michelle Obama Podcast, a video for President Biden's Democracy Summit, shows for OWN TV & Discovery Channel, and the Soul Train Awards. The former career radio personality co-hosted the syndicated countdown show with Randy Jackson of American Idol fame. Randy Jackson's Hit List ran for 5 years and aired in 50 US cities and internationally in Japan and Kenya.

MICHEL WRIGHT

Michel’s signature 'voice' is unforgettable. She’s host of the nationally syndicated show, Cafe Mocha Radio and additionally serves as the lifestyle host for their digital series. She is creative partner of a monthly networking series called HERSday, which celebrates, uplifts and supports women of all backgrounds from various cities around the country.

MICHELLE MEEKS

Award winning journalist and former radio broadcaster, Michelle Meeks also achieved several awards as a radio News Anchor at Atlanta’s WGST”The News Monster.” Currently she works in the film industry for the State of Georgia.

MÜTTER EVANS

Mutter Evans is an entrepreneur and a radio broadcast pioneer, who in October of 1979 at the age of 26, became the youngest and one of the first two Black women to acquire a radio station in the United States, when the Federal Communications Commission approved her purchase of WAAA-AM in Winston-Salem, the first black programmed station in North Carolina.

OLIVIA FOX

The Olivia Fox Morning Show is one of few female lead Morning Shows in the country on Tampa’s WBTP radio (2006). DC’s former Midday host and cohost of the nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show with Olivia Fox is currently host and producer of the Olivia Fox Show for Mean Ole Lion Media.

PAT PRESCOTT

After 23 years on air in New York at WRVR, WBLS and CD101.9, Pat moved to Los Angeles to co-host the morning show at 94.7 The Wave with saxophonist Dave Koz. After six years with Koz and three years co- hosting with singer Brian McKnight, Pat became the solo host of the Wave’s morning show where she has remained since then. In 2020, Pat created and produced the social justice radio series “Justice Now”, which is soon to become a podcast.

PATTYJACKSON

The voice is warm, soulful and sweet! Patty’s radio career has taken her from WSSJ in Camden, New Jersey, to the country station WXTU, then to Philadelphia’s Hip Hop station WUSL, and the classic R&B format known as WDAS-FM. Patty is currently the midday host at 'DAS-FM working 10 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. On Sunday mornings, you can hear Patty’s “Rewind” magazine show 8am – 12pm, covering everything from life to politics and entertainment, as well as celebrity interviews from the past week

RASHAN ALI

Rashan Ali is a radio and television personality, actor and philanthropist from Atlanta. A FAMU graduate, Rashan began her radio career at Radio One’s HOT 107.9; later moving on to V103 and Streetz 94.5. At HOT 107.9, she was one of three female morning leads in urban radio in the country. She created The Cool Soror Podcast and founded The Coach’s Daughter Production Company. Check her out on “All the Queen’s Men and as a national spokesperson for Rocket Mortgage. www.rashanali.com

RENE MILLER

As an entrepreneur, radio and television host, Rene Miller has created some of the most coveted events in Atlanta. She is a veteran broadcaster and has worked with several radio stations across the country. In 2021, Rene was inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame and named a 2021-2022 influencer by BWIR (Black Women In Radio). Currently, Rene Miller is the Director of Programming and afternoon drive host for Smooth Jazz 101.1/Smooth Jazz 100.1 WJZA.

SASHA THE DIVA

One of Atlanta's most recognizable radio personalities and overall brand ambassadors. After 10 years as a top rated Afternoon Drive host in Atlanta, GA, on Cox Communication's Kiss 104FM, Sasha The Diva was chosen to co-anchor the nationally syndicated "Rick and Sasha" radio show distributed by WestWood One. Viewed as a historic launch after accumulating 20 plus radio stations enthusiastically airing the program on their local airwaves at the top of January 2019.

SHIRLEY STRAWBERRY

Shirley Strawberry’s Shirley Strawberry’s career in radio began in the mid-80s at Chicago’s WGCI-FM, where she was co-host of The Doug Banks Show. By the early ‘90s, her local popularity soared and caught the attention of the programming team at 92.3 The Beat, KKBT-FM, in Los Angeles. That’s where she was introduced to Steve Harvey. From 2000 to 2005, Shirley was the co-host of Harvey’s popular LA-based morning show, and it was Harvey himself who dubbed her: “The Best Voice in Radio.” Their

BIG SUE PURNELL

Gracie Award winning Sue Purnell, affectionately known as “Big Sue,” was awarded Music DJ/Personality in a Medium Market for WHRK-FM in September 2021. The former program director (V101 FM), assistant program director (K97 FM), and midday host whose show airs in 30 markets won the hearts of radio fans long before accepting her recent role as iHeartMedia’s Senior Vice President of Programming.

SUPACINDY

Much-loved on-air radio host, media personality, event MC, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Supa Cindy, is transforming South Florida through her vibrant and infectious personality, values, music, and love of giving back to the community. Known as the Voice of Miami, she currently hosts “The Afternoon Get Down” show on 99 Jamz in Miami . When she’s not connecting with her audience via the airwaves or wowing a live crowd, Supa Cindy stays busy running her own company Cin D. Media, a recording and promotional agency where she is multifaceted in media, radio, and television.

TAMMI MAC

The 3 time NAACP award winning, Tammi Mac was hand-picked by the legendary Stevie Wonder to host the number one afternoon radio show, “The Tammi Mac Show” from 3-7pm daily on his Los Angeles owned 102.3 KJLH. “The Tammi Mac Show” is rated number one in Los Angeles with African Americans. The Tammi Mac Show also extends to television. Her TV talk show goes into year 3on the Fox Television digital platform, Fox Soul.

TAMMIE HOLLAND

Tammie Holland is one of few radio personalities awarded a key to their city! This Emmy nominated, radio veteran has hosted shows and entertainment programming for Jacor Communications, Clear Channel Media and iHeart Radio stations in St. Louis, Missouri. Currently she is the host of ‘This Week with Tammie Holland’ powered by the Brown & Crouppen Law Firm, as seen on Facebook. She is also the owner and founder of Tammie Holland Public Relations.

VY HIGGINSEN

Founder of Mama Foundation for the Arts and Executive Director Vy Higginsen celebrates the 40th Anniversary of her Emmy Award-winning play Mama I Wanna Sing! America’s favorite classic black Gospel musical returned to the Off-Broadway Heckscher Theater in East Harlem where it ran for eight years with 2,200 performances in the early 80’s, and later toured all over the world. Over the years, Higginsen’s student singers, dancers and actors have appeared on at Fashion Week, Jimmy Fallon, Chance the Rapper, the Grammy Awards, and most recently America’s Got Talent. New York’s first Black female radio personality to host a Black music formatted show in American broadcast history (WBLS-FM and WWRL-AM) is a trailblazer in theater, publishing, music education, and radio!

PRESS

Ashworth, S. (2023, May 15). Black women in radio honor their history and future. Radio World. https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/black-women-in-radio-honor-their-history-and-future

Aidev. (2022, December 26). AUC Woodruff Library receives inaugural Black Women in radio historic collection and oral history project. Robert W. Woodruff Library: Atlanta University Center (AUC) Library. https://www.auctr.edu/news-events/auc-woodruff-library-receives-inaugural-black-women-in-radio-historic-collection-and-oral-history-project/

Greene, A. (Canva). (2023, April 25). Black women in Radio is making history in the nation’s capital. Black Women in Radio is Making History in Nation’s Capital. https://www.audacy.com/waok/news/national/black-women-in-radio-is-making-history-in-nations-capital

Jordan, A. (2023, May 16). Black women in Radio’s historical collection, featuring “the inaugural 30” to be permanently archived. Black Enterprise. https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-women-in-radios-historical-collection-to-be-permanently-archived/

Love, F. In Media Res. Black Women in Radio Collection Revered from The White House to the Library of Congress | In Media Res. (2023, May 11). https://mediacommons.org/imr/content/black-women-radio-collection-revered-white-house-library-congress

Radio Facts, By, & Radio Facts. (2022, July 18). Black women in Radio (BWIR) historic collection inducts 30 powerhouses for radio preservation and research. Radio Facts. https://radiofacts.com/black-women-in-radio-bwir-historic-collection-inducts-30-powerhouses-for-radio-preservation-and-research/

Radio Ink. (2023b, May 16). Library of Congress preserves black women in radio. Radio Ink. https://radioink.com/2023/05/15/library-of-congress-preserves-black-women-in-radio/

Yahoo! (n.d.). Black women in radio now preserved in the Library of Congress. Yahoo! News. https://news.yahoo.com/amphtml/black-women-radio-now-preserved-162405855.html