June Reigns as the Month of Black Month
By Angela Greene
It is June in the U.S.A., which is especially significant for those in radio, particularly Black radio because it is Black Music Month. Exactly 43 years ago, President Jimmy Carter issued a decree on June 7, 1979, to honor the contributions of Black musicians. The now defunct Black Music Association, which was led by Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and Dyana Williams worked to get the first Black music event at the White House in 1979.
Read MoreBWIR SUMMER YOUTH WORKSHOP BRINGS MEDIA TO YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
- LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MEDIA INDUSTRY
- LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- FIND OUT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT IN THE BUSINESS
- SEE HOW MEDIA PROFESSIONALS NAVIGATE THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF BUSINESS AND CAREER
- LEARN HOW TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS TO IMPROVE SUCCESS
Meet some of the BWIR workshop instructors
Bioncé Foxx
- The vivacious radio and TV personality has become a household name in Chicago after rocking the airwaves for nearly 20 years.
- Bioncé Foxx hosted the “Foxx on the Box Show” at iHeartMedia’s 107.5 WGCI, and gained international fame after the show aired on the island of Bermuda and throughout the Cayman Islands.
- “The Bioncé FoxXperience” is home to Chicago’s V103 and can also be heard in more than 20 markets across the country. She also hosts weekend shows on V100.7 in Milwaukee.
- Foxx is a Lead instructor for radio broadcasting programs throughout Chicagoland including one at Chicago State University where she also produced a radio show on the school’s radio station.
Donna Schiele
- Indianapolis radio talent of 13 years Donna Schiele works at Atlanta’s Classix 102.9 and hosts the “H.E.Y. Girl!” podcast.
- National voice over talent also produces commemorative graduation videos.
- Donna is a K-8 educator who became an assistant principal and received “Teacher of the Year,” twice during her 20 year career in education.
Fel’esha Love
- Fel’esha Love was co-host for five Atlanta Morning Shows and received several community awards from both the Atlanta Mayor’s office and Georgia Governor’s office during her 30 year career.
- A former Spelman College professor and Rockdale Public School teacher, Love facilitates Leadership and Best Business Practices workshops for business, organizations and institutions.
- As founder of BWIR, Love connects thousands of minority women from multi-generations to celebrate their professional contributions to radio culture on a global platform.
- She developed MySpiritFitness Management Group, LLC to produce positive creative content for multimedia platforms. (The BWIR Podcast, “Her Digital Universe” TV Show, The Two-Minute Manager Shows, and the MySpiritFitness Wellness Moment Shows.)
First Lady
- First Lady is perhaps one of the most versatile women in radio. Working in multiple areas of the radio industry from New York, Chicago, Indianapolis and The UK.
- First Female mixers on urban radio – WGCI-FM Chicago 1986
- Program Director/ Midday Talent/ DJ(mixer) – The FM Omni Channel 95.1 Chicago Digital Station
- International Programming Consultant & Mixer – London based stations SG-1Radio, SG-1 Soul and SG-1House
- Ranked #17 Top Black Women In Media (Radio Facts 2006)
- 2006 Billboard Radio Large Market APD/MD Programmer of the Year
- 2010 Stellar Large Market Gospel Station of the Year
- 2010 GMA Station of the Year
- National Black Radio Hall of Fame – Chicago Chapter President
- Black Women In Radio – Executive Liaison & Executive Board Member
- Inducted into the Frankie Knuckles DJ Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award 2015
Kesha Monk
- Kesha Monk has been wowing people with her voice for over 25 years.
- She has recorded projects for global brands such as Mcdonalds, Dreamworks, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Coca Cola, Chick Fil A, Dunkin Donuts and more.
- She is the promo voice for Queen Sugar on the Oprah Winfrey Network and the live announcer for the Soul Train Award which airs on BET.
Angela Greene
- Angela Greene is one of the most powerful writers in modern history.
- A former Gwinnett County Public School high school teacher, Greene represented herself through four jurisdictions in a civil rights case with no legal education or training.
- Her book, Unnecessary Roughness is archived in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
- Greene recently wrote the original brief in a school-to-prison pipeline case that was won on appeal in Gwinnett County.
- The 30-year broadcast veteran is Black Women In Radio Board Member and Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations.
- Greene is the creator, writer, and host of Jazz Flavors on WPGN Radio Atlanta
Black Women In Radio Talk Reality TV & “Sista Luv” During Women’s History Month
In observance of Women’s History Month, Black Women In Radio (BWIR) will stream the powerful 10-minute movie short “Sista Luv” LIVE, on Facebook, YouTube, and Good Life TV this Saturday, March 13th at 6:00 PM EST.
After the Watch Party, meet Director Les Shepherd and the cast members Shavonna Monáe, LaToya Bass, Rashida Bass, plus Spoken Word Poet Arnell Darden. The BWIR All-Star Panel will provide thought provoking dialogue on media culture, love, women, and sisterhood.
Read MoreCONGRATULATIONS BLACK VOICES AMPLIFIED CONTEST WINNER LA TOYA SANDERS
Black Women In Radio (BWIR) is determined to change the narrative of how minority women are perceived in media. The BLACK VOICES AMPLIFIED CONTEST is an annual commitment to support creatives, mentor, empower and uplift authentic talent to enrich cultural diversity.
Congratulations to our first contest winner LaToya Sanders who will recieve free promotional support for one year from BWIR. To learn more about Sanders and access her creative work, see her bio below.
“La Toya created this podcast in honor of her late father, Herman McKalpain, Jr. He was once a sports radio show host on WGPR in Detroit. His award-winning radio show was called “Speaking Of Sports” – which is the inspiration behind the name of La Toya’s podcast “Speaking Of Love”. In 2020, La Toya’s father was involved in a murder-suicide. For reasons unknown, he murdered his wife, moments before taking his own life. In an effort to raise mental health awareness and suicide prevention, La Toya created a podcast honoring her dad and others like him who are struggling with the affects of mental health challenges, which often leads to suicide. As of today, La Toya has recorded over 35 episodes in which she interviews people from around the world with the sole purpose of spreading love.”
“Speaking Of Love” airs live every Saturday at 12pm EST via Facebook and YouTube. You can also listen on all major podcast directories.”
YouTube https://youtu.be/x71ynxMfPhA
Pocket Casts https://pca.st/podcast/264f05e0-c2ec-0138-e71b-0acc26574db2
Overcasts https://overcast.fm/+hgdetuVpI
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0LS7na0Bu7qOztMjQ9GLHx?si=wf00DAgTQj-yWUmq844aag
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-of-love-the-podcast/id1528059679
Anchor https://anchor.fm/speakingoflove/episodes/Speaking-Of-Love—The-Podcast—Episode-35—Featuring-Deborah-Rankin-RD—Inspiring-Change-eogepi
BWIR TO HOST BOOK WRITING MASTERCLASS
Black Women In Radio (BWIR) is hosting an exclusive two-hour class for people who want to write and publish a book or identify the book that lies dormant within. Our goal is to promote radio personalities who want to double as authors and to encourage more women to enter the literary arts. The class is open to the public.
Sign up for the virtual class to be held on December 5, 2020 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CST). Sign up below.
BWIR AUTHOR SUMMIT
On September 28th Black Women In Radio (BWIR) will host its first Author Summit featuring published authors who are also media professionals from all over the country. They will participate in a two-hour discussion about the challenges of becoming an author, why it is important for their stories to be heard, and how their voices can affect Black culture.
BWIR recognizes the urgency to support and amplify Black Voices. Learn more about each author from their book summaries and links below.
Black Women In Radio (BWIR) is the first and only network of its kind to change the narrative of how women are perceived in media. They are successfully promoting thousands of minority women globally from multi-generations to celebrate their contributions to media arts.
BWIR AUTHOR SUMMIT features Frankie Darcell, Tracy Williamson, Tambra Cherie, Sasha The Diva, Monique Caradine, Angela Greene, Nikki Davis, and Felesha Love.
Frankie Darcell “A Story To Tell” by Frankie Darcell and Julius Justice @frankiedarcell
Frankie Darcell was one of the top radio personalities in Detroit, Michigan. Many remember her from W.J.L.B. This book is her life story.
Conversations For Sista Only by Frankie Darcell
Conversations For Sistas Only is a stage play inspired by the 2004 book of the same name written by Radio Personality Frankie Darcell. A serious yet comical look at the stuff women gossip about. A compilation of the hottest topics and conversations as viewed through the eyes and lives of Sistas. Be they “Sistas” or “ Sisters” This very diverse group of women get together for a pajama party to empower and encourage. But along the way they engage in very taboo topics with humor and sometimes blunt honesty that will make you laugh, maybe cry, and differently will make you think about your own opinions and biases. As women, we talk and without a doubt, Conversations For Sistas Only will spark a whole new round of Sista-talk with you and your circle of friends. By the way, gentlemen if you really want to know what your woman thinks? This stage play is where you’ll get the answers.
Own Your Moment and Take the Stage: Laying the Foundation for a Successful Music Career by Tracy Williamson @tracywilliamson7
If you are in pursuit of a career in the music or entertainment industry, this book will step-by-step help lay the groundwork for you to successfully own your moment and take the stage. Gain insight, motivation, and information to properly develop your vision before writing a song, recording music, releasing a project, performing on stage, or signing with a record label. Learn how to establish and maintain your vision, finances, music, creative goals, team, and brand, while pursuing national platforms, record contracts, and distribution deals. This book also includes an Artist Journal to notate your moments of creativity and information gathered throughout your journey.
Surrounded By Sin Grounded By Love: 8 Simple Keys to Becoming a Better You by Tambra Cherie @tambracherie
Radio personality and host Tambra Cherie hopes to inspire and encourage others to become who they were predestined and preordained to be. Her goal is to help you find purpose in your pain, discernment in your disappointments, and peace within your chaos. She encourages you to grow through life’s disappointments and challenges while embracing new outlooks and perspectives. Tambra Cherie shares various experiences and lessons she’s learned throughout her journey of becoming a better version of herself, and hopes this book will help you take a deeper look within yourself while embracing your own truths.
Blended But Not Broken: How My Blended Family Prevailed and Yours Can Too by Sasha The Diva @sashathediva
Blended families can thrive, and Sasha The Diva explains how you can better navigate through the process of merging households in this practical guide. She shares her deeply personal struggles, tough lessons, and experiential advice with those who will encounter or who are already part of a blended family. She even includes more significant details about her family’s intervention from renowned life coach Iyanla Vanzant, which aired on television (“Iyanla Fix My Life“).
Embrace Your Inner Millionaire by Monique Caradine @sisternomics
Now is the time for women leaders and entrepreneurs to stop stressing and worrying about money! Take the eight steps outlined in this book right now and change your money situation for the better–forever. In this book, Monique Caradine reveals:
-How to uncover your hidden profit potential
-The four types of people to whom money is flowing abundantly right now
-The real reason you should aim to embrace your inner millionaire.
-Why your friends might be keeping you broke.
-Why gratitude should be a part of your wealth-building strategy.
Unnecessary Roughness: The Story of a Mother’s Fight for Justice by Angela Greene @justiceandjazz
When Angela Greene’s twin daughters were expelled from their Girl Scout Troop, she took immediate action. She stood up against the injustice. She stood up for Malia and Sharena, who had done nothing but give a Family Heritage Presentation highlighting their family’s involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. The troop leaders from the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta had unwittingly picked the wrong mother to email (twice!) with an offer to find another troop that was a “better fit.” Shocked, outraged, and disappointed by the inexcusable discriminatory conduct, Angela vehemently rejected their offers and weak solutions. She adamantly refused to find another troop, and she had no desire to start her own troop. Angela pursued a legal course of action instead and ventured on a journey through four levels of state and federal courts that taught her some tough lessons about ineffective assistance of counsel. In fact, she was motivated to do her own research and to litigate for herself. Unnecessary Roughness is a remarkable story of resilience, determination, fearlessness, and advocacy. More importantly, it is a fascinating story of a mother’s love and her faith in God, who served as her attorney when no one else would. For more about the book or author Angela Greene, visit: www.unnecessaryroughnesspublishing.com.
It’s In The Juice: Taking Life Back One Juice At A Time by Nikki Davis @yagirlnikki
After having my daughter I learned very quickly that postpartum depression was a real thing. My emotions, my mind and my weight were all over the place. It took me nine months to birth a baby and another nine months to birth the woman that was hiding behind the depression. Instead of choosing prescription drugs that often have harmful side effects, I decided to take my life back with something as simple as juicing. In this book, you will experience my real-life journey, meet the people, and get the recipes that helped me to go from my lowest point to my greatest victory.
Brave Leap to Freedom: Integrating Mind, Body, and Spirit to Cultivate Healthy Relationships by Felesha Love @twominutemanager @feleshalove
Toxicity can be experienced anywhere and with anyone. If not addressed, the experiences can be destructive to the mind, body, and spirit. This book is filled with relatable stories and self-help exercises to help you identify toxic relationships and break self-defeating cycles.
While raising two daughters, navigating divorce and a new blended family, earning a graduate degree, and teaching at a local college, I army crawled my way through the dark night of the soul.
I didn’t know it at the time but my passion for helping others led me to establish my company MySpiritFitness© Management Group, LLC (MSF), and create a wellness pedagogy that is introduced in this book. The tools and techniques in this book are tested and approved by clients and students I have had the pleasure of sharing knowledge with over decades of teaching in classrooms and workshops.
I am obsessed with waking up to the true self and helping others do the same.
BLACK VOICES AMPLIFIED CONTEST
Congratulations on taking this BIG STEP toward changing the narrative.
Kick-off 2021 with BWIR and earn a special feature on the website for 12-months free advertising!
We recognize the urgency to support the creative Black Voice. Black Women In Radio (BWIR) is the first and only network of its kind to change the narrative of how women are perceived in media. We are successfully promoting thousands of minority women globally from multi-generations to amplify their professional contributions to Black culture. This contest demonstrates our commitment to exemplifying true, positive, and authentic diversity within our culture.
CONTEST RULES
- You must be at least 18 years old on the first day of the contest submission.
- You are not required to be a member of BWIR to participate.
- You must have worked in radio (traditional or digital) in any capacity as a professional or student.
- You must be the principal content creator, artist, producer, or talent.
- You must own the rights to your work.
- Qualifying categories include Podcast, TV/Radio Show, Vlogger, Blogger, Writer, audio/video Producer, Artist (all mediums of painting and photography), or Graphic Art Designer.
- No nudity or profane language.
Submissions are open from September 20th until midnight on November 20th.
INSTRUCTIONS
Write a summary. Tell us who you are and your work experience in radio in the beginning of the summary. Also answer the following: 1) Why it is important for Black Voices to be heard. 2) Why did you choose this form of creative art to self express? 3) What form of media did you choose and why? 4) What do you hope to gain and how will people benefit from your work? What success have you had so far? Why do you think BWIR is the platform for your work? DEADLINE: Midnight on November 20th.
Provide a downloadable sample of your work.
Include the appropriate link access to listen or view your work. For example, YouTube, We Transfer, Google Drive, attach a downloadable link to a mp3 or mp4.
Email the summary and work samples and/or any questions or concerns to blackwomeninradio@gmail.com. DEADLINE IS Midnight on November 20th.
PROCESS
We will review all submissions. Ten (10) candidates will be selected based on creative message, content, artistic expression, delivery, application of art elements, technique, design, continuity and written summary. The winners will be announced on all BWIR digital media platforms Friday, January 1, 2021 at Noon. Winners will kick off 2021 with a special feature on the BWIR website and begin the year with free advertising for each for one year.
Candace McCollum
Candace McCollum is the first voice many hear with traffic,
weather, and news on Power 92.3’s The Rickey Smiley Morning
Show in Chicago.
Candace began her radio career in 2013 in Chicago, the third
largest market for media.
When Candace is not on air she works with the community and on
her own personal projects. Candace started Community Spotlight, which highlights a community event in the Chicago. She has a personal connection with another initiative she works with, Hashtag Lunch Bag Chicago and the Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.
In March of 2017 Candace started her fashion blog, “Curves in Radio.” In 2018 she brought together some of the top curvy women in Chicago radio from several Chicago radio stations for a meet and greet at, Eloquii a plus-sized store in Chicago.
Candace has had the opportunity to work with many brands as a host and model. Candace was also the host of the first Midwest Curvy Girl Conference in Chicago in October of 2017. She has been featured on Essence.com, Huffingtonpost.com and on The Steve Harvey Show.
Frankie Darcell
one word is “Determined”
Fav Movie “Remember The Titans”
Favorite Book: Conversations For Sistas Only Volume 1 by Frankie Darcell
Fav Album: Brenda Russell “Brenda Russell”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “Ocho Rios, Jamaica”
What is your perception of self-love? “Self-love means an undeniable confidence in yourself that you are made in the image of God. And if its’s good enough for him, the rest doesn’t matter.”
From the President of the United States, to music giants, they all want to be interviewed by Frankie Darcell because her for her candor, quick wit, and sense of humor.
Frankie started her career at Morgan State University’s WEAA-FM, later becoming Music Director and Assistant Program Director in Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina; before moving to Detroit in 1993.
Frankie is the host of “the Mid-day Mix” and “Sunday Talk of the Town” on WDAS-FM to as the Afternoon Drive Host with The Talk of The Town, 3pm to 7pm weekdays and Saturdays 10am to 3pm.
Frankie has an established career with over 25 years of Radio Broadcasting experience.
She is an author, a lecturer, and a businesswoman, who has appeared in countless local and national publications. She has received awards from The Michigan Association of Broadcasters as well as several major industry awards, and recognitions, including from dignitaries.
Frankie also has a love for theatre as evidenced by her Executive Producer credits for: Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues “; Produced and Directed Ntozake Shange’s Off Broadway Play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.
However, her greatest joy and reward is being a Mom to her teen-age daughter, Phallo.