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.”
KHVN-AM, the only 24/7 gospel radio station in the Dallas market has parted ways with longtime voice and former program director, Carmina Barnett. The news came as a shock to nearly everyone in the listening area as the radio and gospel music industry grapple with the news and its many implications. Barnett served as Program Director for nearly 10 years and was promoted to Director of Operations, last summer.
Barnett has been the voice and face of the station as of late but has been part of the station for nearly two decades. At present, there are no details available for the sudden ouster and calls to the station have yielded no formal statements from Mortenson Broadcasting, parent company of the gospel music station.
The ever changing world of radio is hard to keep up with. Advertisers, listeners or lack thereof and owners all factor in on the decision to axe staff or nix a show, regardless of its perceived popularity. This year has been brutal for even well known on-air personalities whose last segment came sooner than they’d liked. Last year, the “hardest working man in radio” Tom Joyner decided to call it quits this year and named Rickey Smiley as his replacement. Over the weekend, DL Hughley‘s nightly television show ended on TV One, though his show remains on UrbanOne (radio). In the wake of the news, the gospel music and faith communities have come together to express their support for Barnett and to issue a call for action to Mortenson Broadcasting.
In the years following the passing of the legendary Joe Bagby, KHVN has continued to thrive with Barnett at the helm, garnering a Stellar Award and a perennial nominee when not on the winner’s platform. The future is up in the air as the community and the only 24/7 gospel station in the number five media market in America prepare for a new normal.
We thank Carmina Barnett for her many years of service at KHVN and as this season closes, we are certain that her stellar work will speak for her wherever she chooses to further her career in radio. This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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.
New Indie Streaming Social Platform set to launch at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas
Dousic Media Group
Dousic Media Group (DMG), is set to launch its new Dousic Social Platform at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas between March 10th thru 13th, 2019, located at Booth No. 1239, Halls 2-5 in the Austin Convention, where the newly upgraded Dousic website and App will be unveiled.
Dousic is an interactive social media platform that engages users with a diverse discovery experience. In the Dousic community the public can personalize their content and creators can monetize their products.
“With Dousic we wanted to create a social media platform for people like photographers, models, authors and musicians, so that they have total control of their destiny by owning their brands and products via the website and the App. In addition, Dousic is a fully functioning social media platform giving users a wide variety of connectivity such as chat, audio or video calls, all in one convenient location,” said Michael Ferguson, DMG Executive Vice President/Founder.
DMG Founder and CEO, Brian Moore, emphasized that “the Indie Music Industry has been trying to find its footing for some time and from where I sit there is still a clear lack of understanding of how to ensure that Indie Creators get an even playing field and are being properly compensated. Accordingly, we have designed Dousic to give them back brand control and content ownership.”
Following on from SXSW, our future website and App enhancements will ensure Dousic is a place where Creators maintain full ownership and control, giving them stronger leverage when in negotiations with Record Labels.
Dousic’s Mission is to provide a global hub for an interactive and personalized entertainment experience. We are committed to helping Indie Creators reach their full potential. https://dousic.com
“Delilah’s life story and advice are compelling. Her heart shines through in challenging trials and hard-won triumphs. No wonder she has so much love in her life.”
—Robin Roberts
“Delilah speaks from the heart, writes from the heart, and touches the heart. This is a book everyone needs to read.”
— Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
“Delilah’s stories hum with the joy of serving others. Fans of her homespun style will enjoy her stories of care, concern, and love.” — Publishers Weekly
DELILAH, the most listened-to woman on American radio, has a voice that 9 million listeners know and love. On air for 25 years, her shows are heartfelt, often hilarious, and warm. Listeners feel they know her; she is their co-pilot through challenges and triumphs five hours per night, seven nights a week. Now, she has written ONE HEART AT A TIME, an inspiring, uplifting, and motivating look at life, love, and faith to be published by Rosetta Books on October 16, 2018.
Called one of the “Most Influential Women in Radio” by Radio Ink, Delilah boldly and lovingly walks the talk—she has opened her heart to the country and her home to 10 adopted children, making her a mom to 13 children, with an effort underway to adopt a two-year-old baby boy to join the family. She is a syndicated radio host and the founder of Point Hope, created in 2004 to be a voice for forgotten children and their families, helping them in the U.S., West Africa, and elsewhere.
Delilah speaks to us all. In today’s turbulent and uneasy world, there is more divisiveness, pain, and loneliness than ever before. Using stories from her extraordinary off-air life—full of trials, forgiveness, faith, and adventure (along with select well-executed pranks)—she encourages us to change this spiral by taking one person at a time into our understanding. She calls us to connect, one heart at a time, to lift others, and in the process, our communities and ourselves.
“In her easygoing style and characteristic, beloved voice, Delilah shares the real woman behind the microphone,” says Rosetta Books CEO Arthur Klebanoff. “She tells her deeply moving story as the series of miracles and prayers it is.”
Inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Delilah is the author of three previous books: Love Someone Today, Love Matters, and Arms Full of Love. One Heart At A Time will launch simultaneously in hardcover, e-book, and a Brilliance audiobook version read by Delilah, and is now available for pre-order.
LEGENDARY TELEVISION AND RADIO HOST DONNIE SIMPSON CELEBRATES A 5O-YEAR CAREER MILESTONE ANNOUNCING HIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MEMOIR
‘Through These Eyes: An Iconic Memoir of Life, Love And The Man Behind The Music’ by Donnie Simpson On Sale: January 30, 2019
Legendary media personality, Donnie Simpson’s forthcoming memoir: “Through These Eyes”
The Oracle Group International announces the publication of THROUGH THESE EYES: An Iconic Memoir of Life, Love and The Man Behind the Music (13th & Joan; Hardcover; On Sale: January 30, 2019; $25.99; ISBN 978-1- 7326464-6-9) by award-winning, influencer, humanitarian, and legend Donnie Simpson. Through his highly anticipated memoir, Simpson chronicles the highs and lows of his extraordinary career which in 2019 will commemorate 50 years of entertaining listeners on Radio and Television.
Through These Eyes takes us back to where it all began, his beloved hometown of Detroit. Joining the staff at WJLB radio at 15 years old, affectionately dubbed, Donnie “The Love Bug” Simpson, quickly gained popularity with his sultry voice, warm smile, and piercing green eyes. Relocating after 15 years to Washington, D.C., he continued dominating ratings and captivating audiences, which led to his most memorable role in 1983 as the host of BET’s primetime music video show, Video Soul, solidifying his role as a pop culture icon.
Over several decades, Donnie has interviewed the biggest stars in the world, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, James Brown, Sting, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Madonna, Smokey Robinson, President Clinton, Tom Hanks, Barry White, and so many others. Donnie has been inducted into the BET Walk of Fame and the R&B Music Hall of Fame. The only non-musician honored at that point.
“I’m always labeled as trailblazer. To this day, so many artists talk about what it meant to sit on the couch with me, the effect that it had on their careers, and it’s a blessing to have been in that position,” says Simpson. “The most wonderful compliment I get is when people tell me they feel like they know me. They do know me; they know my spirit. I’m the same dude all the time. 24/7, always filled with hope and love, I’m Donnie. That’s my story.”
Through These Eyes, a publishing collaboration between Donnie Simpson Productions, The Oracle Group International, and 13th & Joan Publishing is available for pre-order at www.donniesimpson.com.
