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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.

Ally Lynn

Rene Miller

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. With her company, Rene Miller presents- Rene created and developed two Atlanta mainstays, The Got Jazz Series, the largest free smooth jazz concert series in Centennial Olympic Park and LIVE from Loews with the Loews Hotel Group in Atlanta and Philadelphia.

CONGRATULATIONS 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

BLACK WOMEN IN RADIO DISCUSS THE STATE OF BLACK WOMEN IN RADIO

CORTNEY HICKS

Born and raised in Detroit, Cortney knew early on in life that her love of Radio and TV would lead to a career in Media and it was nothing short of focused determination that helped push her dreams into reality.

In 1994 while attending Michigan State University, Cortney took an internship at WQHH that proved to be her introduction to a successful multi-media career. Cortney’s natural delivery coupled with an ability to connect with listeners and viewers quickly provided an opportunity for her to join the full-time on-air staff well within the year. She came to be known and loved as “Lansing’s Home Girl” and was well sought after and celebrated in the Lansing, MSU community. Cortney’s memorable run as Night Host stayed top of mind with listeners as years later her younger brother, Jay Hicks, held the same position while working his way to Program Director under the guidance of his big sister.

In 1995 while completing her Communication studies at MSU, Cortney accepted an opportunity to join the WEJM staff as the new Midday Host in Chicago, the 3rd largest radio market in the country. After a very successful three year run she was invited to return home and serve as Co-Host for the legendary Mason & Company Morning Show on WJLB from 1997-2000. Cortney then returned to Chicago in 2001 to serve as Midday Host and assist in launching WPWX. Through hard work and dedication, she was promoted to the coveted Morning Show Host position in 2005 making her the first female jock in Chicago radio history to headline a morning show.

In 2007, Cortney relocated to Mobile, AL to join WBLX as Assistant Program Director and Midday Host. She was also picked up as the weekly entertainment and community affairs reporter for NBC 15. After a few years in these positions, Cortney made another career building move when she became the syndicated Midday Host at Radio One, Inc. for WMMJ in D.C. and WDMK in Detroit from 2010-2014.

Cortney’s career continues to expand to now include TV appearances, live vocal performances, along with commercial print modeling and acting. She made a guest appearance in the off Broadway production of The Color Purple, the Vagina Monologues, The Dr. Oz Show and a principle role in the Discovery Channel series “Who The Bleep Did I Marry”. Cortney was a regular Pop Culture contributor for TV One, FOX 5, DC50, and WUSA9 while in D.C. She was a recipient of the CVS Mirror Mirror Award, a FLOTUS press core member for Michelle Obama’s the “Lets Move” campaign and served as the Spokesperson for the YWCA National Capitol Area. From 20015-17, 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 line-up on 105.1 The Bounce in Detroit. Currently, Cortney can still be heard on the radio at KISS 103.1 in Central Texas and seen as the Morning News Anchor on WFXG Fox54 in Augusta, GA.

BWIR NOMINEE SURVEY: WHO ARE YOUR TOP 10 BWIR?

Has anyone ever asked you! Well, we want to know. Who is your pick for the TOP 10 in the industry?

Black Women In Radio is conducting a national survey to identify radio industry professionals you most value in three categories: Radio personality, Leadership, and DJ.

Criteria: We don’t live in a time warp. We recognize that everyone has different career experiences and a variety of influencers from all races and ethnicities. List 10 Badass minority American radio industry professionals who identify as female and demonstrate an unparalleled hustle and drive, demonstrate fearless creativity and talent, and who is unapologetically powerful in the 21st century (2001-present). List one or 10 for each category.

Who are the leaders who use their position to grow people to be better? Who is that legacy worthy radio personality and DJ that we will be talking about for years to come? Finally, who are the historical legends? Provide the nominee’s name and tell us why. GO! Deadline is ASAP.

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SYBIL WILKES

We’re celebrating Black Women In Radio Influencer, radio host, and respected journalist SYBIL WILKES♥️ As you know, the Tom Joyner Morning Show is a broadcast institution, and Sybil, an original cast member, is a large part of its extraordinary 25-year success serving over 100 markets with an audience of more than eight million.

Check out Sybil’s “What You Need To Know” community news and social media page to keep up with current news and information.

Sybil Wilkes is the co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a nationally syndicated radio program heard in over 100 markets with an audience of more than eight million. An original member of the show, initially joining the crew as a news anchor, each morning Wilkes provides “the voice of reason” alongside host Tom Joyner and co-host J. Anthony Brown.

This native Chicagoan began her radio career in 1985 as a production assistant with WKQX-FM, Chicago. She eventually went on to news management and reporting jobs at WINK-AM/FM, Fort Myers, Florida; WRCC-FM, Cape Coral, Florida; and WCKZ-FM, Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1989 Wilkes joined WGCI-AM/FM, Chicago, as a talk show host. In 1990 she became a reporter for Chicago’s Shadow Traffic Network. While with Shadow, Wilkes delivered morning and afternoon drive traffic updates and worked as one of Tom Joyner’s WGCI-FM sidekicks.

A noted news and political journalist, Wilkes has landed major interviews with some of today’s top newsmakers including joining President Barack Obama and Senator John Edwards on the campaign trail for exclusive one-on-one interviews as well as a candid interview with Former President Bill Clinton. As an avid reader, she created “Sybil’s Book Club”, started in 1996, which features African-American authors at live events and offers an opportunity for book lovers to meet and engage with their favorite writers.

Being a celebrated radio personality and journalist she has received a number of accolades including The President’s Award from the NAACP Image Awards, and an honorary Doctorate Degree from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. Most recently, Wilkes has become a national ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Circle of Promise Campaign. She also co-hosts a local Sunday afternoon inspirational radio program with Pastor Frederick Haynes in Dallas. A graduate of Northwestern University, she received a Bachelors of Science in Political Science and Communication Studies.

Wilkes lives by the biblical saying handed down by her parents, “To whom much is given, much is required.” When not using her “Big A” words on the show, Sybil has an interest in politics, photography, and sports.

Wilkes resides in Dallas, Texas.

@sybilwilkes #BLACKWOMENINRADIO

Michel Wright

Michel Wright is an award-winning media personality based in Washington, D.C. She is co-host and producer of the popular District Cable Network show, The 202, which won an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Interview” with legendary group BBD.

She hosts the popular weeknight show, The Suite Spot, on SiriusXM and is also the ‘voice’ of their Classical Music Channel, Symphony Hall.

Michel is also the signature ‘voice’ on 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.

Her voiceover work has been heard on BET, TV One, HBO, Showtime TV and more.

She has created content and served as producer/host for CBS Radio, Westwood One, Viacom, AOL, MHz Networks and SiriusXM.

Michel has been recognized by the DC City Council for her years of service and commitment to the community. She’s received the Capitol Cadillac Standard of Living Award, the Women of Prince George’s Community Outreach Award, a Media Innovator Award, Billboard Pro and a NATOA Award for Excellence. She currently serves on the board of The Peggy Beatrice Foundation. Source Radio.com

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.

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