Saturday marks a big day for Black journalists in DFW as multiple events will showcase and celebrate the impact of these journalists in the metroplex and beyond. Starting close to home, Jill Darden of Fort Worth Black News celebrates 25 years of publication with a celebration and festival at the Forest Hill Civic Center. Darden has covered many important events in the city and has provided coverage of events and stories often skipped over by major publications and mainstream media outlets. Darden is one of the few remaining print publications in Fort Worth and copies of each month’s issue can be found at local churches and small businesses.
Six veteran journalists share their experiences, then and now, about the adversities and victories that helped to shape the messages and images about the life, culture and experience in Dallas and Black American Media.
At the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, six Black journalists will come together to discuss their presence in mainstream media, the effects of their presence and the challenges that yet remain. Longtime writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Bob Ray Sanders will be joined by media veterans Nada Ruddock (NBC/KXAS), Steve Pickett (KTVT), Cheryl Smith (Texas Metro News, NABJ, SPJ), Norma Adams-Wade (Dallas Morning News, NABJ co-founder) and Demond Fernandez (WFAA) for a roundtable talk about the current state of black media with a look back at the past.
Actively involved in the community and philanthropic efforts, Kayla is always looking for ways to give back. She is currently a board member of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of March of Dimes and That Girl is SMART Youth Mentoring Program, a member of the Public Relations Society of America, National Association of Black Journalists, the fundraising chairperson for Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists, and a charter member of the Chi Zeta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
One of the primary rules of journalism is for journalists to not become the story. When a successful journalist or PR professional is exceptional, their story or client remains in the forefront beyond the cycle of the story and Kayla Tucker Adams’ clients enjoy the notoriety certain few enjoy due to her steadfastness, diligence and professionalism in storytelling. Public relations expert Kayla Tucker Adams has been named Woman of the Year by the Greater North Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club (GNDBPWC). Adams will be recognized at the club’s upcoming founders’ day and scholarship awards program, taking place virtually on Saturday, May 14. This year’s theme is “Black Women in Technology: Promoting Opportunities to Shine.”
Black Guest List connects Black luminaries with radio hosts, television producers, live shows, digital outlets, print publications and trendy podcasts looking for Black guests.
Founded by Sharifah Hardie, the newly launched platform Black Guest List provides media outlets immediate access to Black influencers, Black thought leaders, Black politicians, Black business professionals, Black authors, Black entertainers, and Black artists interested in locating media opportunities. Historically it is hard for hosts to find people from diverse backgrounds to interview. Black Guest List makes finding these guests simple, by creating a comprehensive searchable database of potential guests and providing a space for Black people worldwide to share their stories.
“We are not looking to just make a list of Black people. Our aim is to provide access to media opportunities qualified guests otherwise would not be aware of, to increase Black representation in the media and put their distinct views front and center,” says Sharifah Hardie Founder of Black Guest List, Chief Executive Officer of IT TV Network & President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce – Long Beach Area.
“As a talk show host I don’t see many Black guests listed on the websites I use to find new guests. I want to change that. I want to make Black Guest List the go-to platform for Black people of note to find interviews on podcasts, television shows, print publications and radio shows and make it easier for anyone with a microphone to find a fascinating guest without dealing with intermediaries!”
Radio hosts, podcast producers, and television show bookers can use the well-designed interface of the website to find expert guests for interviews. With so many radio talk show hosts, podcast producers, online radio show producers, satellite radio producers, and television program bookers searching for new interview guests each week, it can be tough to book a suitable one in time. Black Guest List will now make their lives much easier.
Whether the media outlet needs a Black comedian, Black doctor, Black professor, Black athlete, or a Black educator — Black Guest List is the ultimate Black media source for anyone looking for guests for a tremendous enlightening interview. Hosts can readily explore the available guests for their shows, and media outlets can submit opportunities and requirements. For more information visit the official website at www.BlackGuestList.com.
Veteran Media Personality Sybil Wilkes to Moderate with Featured Panelists NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, National Urban League President Marc Morial, Political Commentator Bakari Sellers, CURLS Founder and CEO Mahisha Dellinger, Reach Media Syndicated Radio Hosts Russ Parr, Erica Campbell, Angie Ange, Rickey Smiley, Willie Moore, Jr., and Rev. Gayle Fisher-Stewart
URBAN ONE, INC. announced today the presentation of a virtual town hall to discuss the current political and racial climate plaguing the African American community titled, We Are One: More Than A Hashtag, on Thursday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET. The one-hour virtual town hall will stream live on the digital platforms across the Urban One brands Radio One, Reach Media, TV One and iOne Digital.
Urban One has been the leading voice to inspire, inform and entertain Black America for 40 years. As the nation reels from the injustices surrounding the recent deaths of unarmed African Americans, Urban One addresses these issues with the We Are One: More Than A Hashtagvirtual town hall. Urban One remains committed to being a voice for the community.
Veteran media personality Sybil Wilkes, former co-host of the Reach Media syndicated radio show, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, will moderate the town hall. The esteemed panelists include NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson; National Urban League President Marc Morial; Political analyst and former South Carolina lawmaker Bakari Sellers; CURLS Founder and CEO Mahisha Dellinger; Reach Media syndicated radio personalities Russ Parr (The Russ Parr Morning Show), Erica Campbell (Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell), Angie Ange (The Morning Hustle), Rickey Smiley (The Rickey Smiley Morning Show), Willie Moore, Jr. (The Willie Moore Jr. Show); Rev. Gayle Fisher-Stewart, a former police officer for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, current associate rector of Calvary Episcopal Church and founder of the Center for the Study of Faith in Justice; and more panelists to be announced.
“We grieve with the Floyd family over the tragic murder of George Floyd and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who demonstrate and cry out for justice, which is long overdue, Urban One has always provided a forum for these kinds of discussions, and we will continue in that 40-year old tradition. It is our responsibility to ensure that our community, especially our youth, not only have a voice but are also made aware of the tactics being used to hijack and discredit the protests to shift the narrative and support a sinister political agenda.”
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is mourning the loss of veteran New Orleans journalist and WVUE FOX 8 News anchor Nancy Parker. Beloved by her community, Parker, 53, served as an anchor on daily newscasts at FOX 8 for more than 20 years. She passed in a small plane crash while working on a story in New Orleans East on Friday afternoon. The plane’s pilot also passed.
“NABJ sends heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of Nancy Parker,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. “Nancy was an important voice for the community and was dedicated to the craft of journalism. She was passionate about telling impactful stories, and we extend open arms of support to those who knew and loved her.” A native of Opelika, Alabama, Parker received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She had been a resident of New Orleans since 1996 and was a loving wife and mother of three children.
“Tonight, I spoke with journalists in tears. They managed to tell me how Nancy Parker welcomed them and mentored them with a mother’s love,” said Ken Lemon, NABJ Vice President-Broadcast. “Nancy Parker’s enthusiasm for storytelling was evident in her work. Today was no different. She was looking forward to sharing a story that would help to promote the importance of a drug-free lifestyle. She was a journalist who knew the value of helping younger journalists excel and she displayed a nurturing spirit.”
NABJ Region III Director Rod Carter expressed the deep impact Parker’s passing has had on the regional NABJ membership.
“The entire NABJ family is heartbroken over the death of our colleague Nancy Parker,” said Carter. “We join Nancy’s family, the FOX 8 family and all of New Orleans in grieving over her tragic and untimely death. Region III and NABJ stands ready to help the family with anything they may need.”
Lance Washington, President of the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists, added: “The New Orleans community has lost a great journalist and friend. Nancy was a great storyteller and put passion in all of her stories. She was a great person, wife, mother, and friend and will be missed by all in New Orleans.”
Former New Orleans NABJ Chapter President Warren A. Bell first met Nancy Parker and her future husband Glynn Boyd nearly three decades ago while they worked as television reporters in the Baton Rouge area. “I was always struck by her competence as a reporter/storyteller combined with her grace and charm,” said Bell. “The fact that she chalked up five Emmy awards during her storied career in local TV news convinces me I was correct in that early assessment. New Orleans TV viewers and its journalistic community have suffered a great loss, as the outpourings of expressions near and far can already attest.”
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the loss of Pulitzer Prize-winning Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. Morrison, who was 88, died Monday night at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, according to her publisher, Penguin Random House. Morrison’s family, in a statement released by the publisher, said she passed “following a short illness” and surrounded by loved ones.
“NABJ is saddened to learn of the passing of literary giant Toni Morrison. Her stories have impacted generations. She perfected telling the stories of black women and black life, which resonated with people around the globe. Her authentic voice will be greatly missed,” said Sarah Glover, NABJ President. “NABJ sends our deepest condolences to the Morrison family.” Morrison’s body of work focused on African American life and culture, and she dominated an industry in which depictions of black life were often limited and rooted in stereotype.
Morrison has been awarded a number of literary distinctions, among them the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988 for her masterwork, “Beloved.”A decade later, Oprah Winfrey produced and starred in a movie based on the book.
An outpouring of sympathy was expressed from NABJ leadership: “I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Morrison several years ago when she released her bestseller ‘Beloved.’ I will always appreciate her patience and kindness. We were fortunate to have had such a remarkable voice in our lives.”
—Dorothy Tucker, NABJ Vice President-Broadcast
“Toni Morrison was one of the greatest storytellers of our time, boldly chronicling the lives of people who looked like us, giving life to our experiences for mainstream consumption. My first Toni Morrison book, “Sula,” was read in a classroom, which says so much about her reach and impact. She will be missed.”
—Marlon A. Walker, NABJ Vice President-Print
“A powerful voice has been silenced but her works will live on forever. Ms. Morrison’s body of work will inspire generations of young girls who, like me, turned to her words in the quest to recognize their own voice.”
Smiley to take his popular morning show to a new and expanded audience as Tom Joyner retires his groundbreaking Morning Show
Today on The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Tom introduced listener favorite Rickey Smiley as the successor to the morning anchor position established by Tom over the course of 25 years. Joyner, who is retiring at the end of the year, acknowledged that Smiley has established himself as a trusted leader on-air and in the community with his current show, captivating audiences with his authentic humor but also his unique perspective on topics important to his audience. Smiley also announced that Eva Marcille and Gary Wit Da Tea would be among the on-air cast members joining him to broadcast out of the Dallas studios beginning January 2020. Additional details about the show will be shared in the coming months.
Joyner reflected on his accomplishments and the future, “I’m happy to see the landscape of Urban AC morning radio continue to expand with Rickey, and I’m proud of the doors the Tom Joyner Morning Show opened. Twenty-five years ago, there was no template for a syndicated Urban radio show and we worked hard to prove that we could successfully produce and market a national platform that would entertain, inform and empower African-American listeners. We broke some ground, raised the bar for what audiences expected from Black radio all while partying with a purpose. Yeah, we’ve done a lot but there’s still a lot left to be done. I’m confident that Rickey’s activism along with his love for radio, the community, and HBCUs, will pick up where we left off.”
Making the announcement public, Rickey Smiley shared his excitement, “It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and frat brother Tom Joyner. Not only has he been a friend to my family and me over the years, but we consider him family. Tom’s mentorship has instilled in me valuable wisdom that I will carry with me through this new morning show.”
David Kantor, Reach Media and Radio One CEO, acknowledged the collaboration, “Tom changed the entire urban radio marketplace. He entertained and educated multiple generations of listeners over the last 25 years. While there is and will always be only one Tom Joyner, we are excited that Rickey will be moving to Urban AC in January. Like Tom, Rickey’s talent, community consciousness and commitment to his audience will serve his listeners well.” Reach Media’s other current morning Urban AC program, The Russ Parr Morning Show, will also continue in syndication into 2020.
BACKGROUND: Rickey Smiley Morning Show Brand and Trajectory The Rickey Smiley Morning Show has been recognized for its excellence in connecting with its listeners, and continues to grow with the belief that “Radio is community”. The industry took notice in 2017 awarding Rickey with the NAB Radio Marconi Award as the top national/syndicated talent. Rickey uses personality, humor, conviction and relevant information to deliver a high-energy morning show engaging his listening community in unexpected ways. His show has distinguished itself with its innovative mix of entertainment and an unfiltered view on contemporary black life and parenthood, focusing on family, community and mentorship. Smiley uses his radio platform to express his belief that “we are responsible for each other”, including purchasing a car for a young man profiled on social media who persisted through a daily 3-hour bus commute to his high school for well over a year in order to graduate. Similarly, the discovery of a co-host’s history with domestic violence prompted Rickey to put a spotlight on the urgency of the issue along with the resources available to provide support to victims. Having attended Alabama State University and participated in numerous HBCU tours, Smiley is an ardent supporter of education – especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Rickey reinforces his radio brand 24/7 interacting online, socially with 5 million followers, through his stand-up comedy, reality-based TV shows, and publishing – all amplifying his voice!
Gary Wit Da Tea, well established as everyone’s favorite diva, dishes the hottest gossip on the world of entertainment and his colorful opinions on all topics. With over 22 years on radio, along with numerous TV and charitable initiatives, he’s someone whose thoughts listeners look forward to hearing.
Eva Marcille, while originally known as a high fashion model and television celebrity, contributes a relatable women’s point of view with her sharp wit and sometimes challenging position, bringing balance to the show. She shares her life with listeners from entrepreneurial pursuits to marriage and motherhood.
BACKGROUND: Tom Joyner’s Career and Influence In his 25 years as a leader in the industry, Tom Joyner’s impact and influence have never wavered. His morning “Party with a Purpose” revolutionized radio when it became the first morning show with music in syndication. Known widely as “The Hardest Working Man in Radio,” Joyner has made a career of doing the extraordinary in order to serve his audience: flying round-trip between Dallas and Chicago five days a week for seven years hosting morning drive and afternoons in two different cities; raising money to support students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities with The Tom Joyner Foundation; producing and hosting a celebration of black families and communities, the Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion; galvanizing his listeners to provide relief funds for survivors of natural disasters. The Tom Joyner Morning Show is heard as a guide to the future of communications in the African-American community, consistently promoting relevant issues and social causes that need attention and action.
