NABOB To Honor Dr. Bobby Jones

The 27^th Annual NABOB Communications Awards Dinner is scheduled for March 4^th at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. this year with performances from Fantasia, Regina Belle and Chrisette Michelle. This year’s honorees include Dr. Bobby Jones with the Pioneer in Gospel Music, Buddy Guy and Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco with Pioneer in Music and Soledad O’Brien with the Mickey Leland Public Service Award.

D.C. Welcomes UNCF Relocation

Ground was officially broken for the new United Negro College Fund headquarters in the Shaw area of Washington, D.C. on February 7, beginning construction on a 50,000 square-foot office at Progression Place, located at 1805 7th Street, NW that is expected to open in 2012. Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO, explained the organization’s move from Fairfax, Virginia to D.C. as expanding its advocacy and service to students. “UNCF has become one of the country’s most prominent advocates for the importance of students getting the preschool-through-high school education they need to succeed in college, and Washington is the hub of the national conversation about how to make sure they get that preparation for college,” he said, adding that the “UNCF also wants to be able to provide college-focused information and services directly to DC-area students and the hundreds of thousands of students who visit DC each year. To be an effective advocate for education reform, and to help children of color prepare for college UNCF has to be in D.C.”

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton, Council Chair Kwame Brown, Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham and other leaders joined UNCF representatives for the groundbreaking ceremony of the $23 million building that will also house mixed office space and more than 200 apartments and retail space. Additionally, there will be a career center offering students standardized test preparation, college application help, financial assistance, interview training and job placement assistance as the UNCF envisions the site becoming a hub in the Shaw neighborhood for other advocates of minority education.

WKYS Remembers William Walker (1976-2011)

WKYS-FM (93.9), D.C.’s source for the Hip Hop community, sadly reports the loss of its young 35-year old air personality William “Ill Will” Walker who died on February 9 while recuperating in the hospital from recent surgery and suffering two heart attacks. Funeral services are scheduled for February 14 at Reid Temple AME Church in Glenn Dale, Maryland. WKYS has set up a tribute page posted on their website with videos and messages and posted its own message: “It is with great pain that we inform you that William Walker, affectionately known as Ill Will, has passed away suddenly midday today after a brief illness. All of us here will miss his energy and “can-do” spirit. We know everyone will keep him and his entire family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Dr. Bobby Jones Donates $6M to TSU

Renowned gospel singer and host and executive producer of two popular BET gospel shows—“Bobby Jones Gospel” and “Video Gospel”—has donated approximately 30 years of recordings as well as exclusive rights of his performances and television programs to his alma mater, Tennessee State University. Professionally appraised at $6 million, Jones’ archives constitute the largest in-kind gift the university has ever received.

Midday Diva In Main Line Cuts

Louisville’s midday diva, Leesa Mitchell, on Main Line Broadcasting urban AC WMJM-FM (Magic 101.3) was one of Main Line’s recent Louisville budget cuts casualties. The Tim Gerard Radio Network now fills the 2-7pm timeslot and “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” continues in mornings. Production director Marc Beasley and assistant engineer/IT Steve Johnson were also affected as well as promotion assistant/morning show producer and swing jock Ibrahim Dix on sister station, urban WGZB-FM (B96.5).

Radio’s Darryl Huckaby Joins WB

Ken Wilson, WB senior VP of urban promotion, has appointed Darryl Huckaby to fill the open position as Warner Bros. Records mid-Atlantic urban promotion director. The former PD of Radio One urban WKYS-FM (93.9 Kiss) in Washington, D.C. was most recently in radio as producer of the syndicated “Russ Parr Morning Show,” a position he resigned from two years ago.

BET Honors

Actress Gabrielle Union hosts the 2^nd Annual BET Honors that were taped during Inaugural week on January 17 in Washington, D.C. at the Warner Theater. This year’s event, that will air on BET on February 9, honors Mary J. Blige (Entertainment), Tyler Perry (Media), Judith Jamison (Education), Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Corporate Citizen), B. Smith (Entrepreneur), and Congressman James E. Clyburn (Public Service). Ne-Yo, Anita Baker, Anthony Hamilton, Keyshia Cole, Joss Stone, Monica and Queen Latifah are among the performers. 

Radio One All-Star Celebrity Salute to Tom Joyner

Radio One founder/chairperson Cathy Hughes threw a Hometown All-star Celebrity Salute to Tom Joyner during inaugural week on January 17 at the Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C. Hennessy hosted the event, presenting a commemorative Hennessy 44 Bottle signed by numerous celebrities up for auction to create four four-year scholarships via the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  

An Eye on Numbers 2010 Census Count Critical

Rev. Bernie Miller, host of Brewer Broadcasting urban AC WJTT-FM (Power 94)’s gospel show “Power Praise” and pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church, was among the members of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Race, Ethnic, Advisory Committee (REAC) that met in Washington, D.C. to address concerns of the 2010 census. As chairman of the African American REAC and spokesperson for the REAC chairs, Miller stated, “We feel the funding levels for 2010 are too inadequate to address the diverse communities when compared with Census 2000 funding. An accurate count is critical. Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on census data. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. However, without adequate funding, there’s a danger of undercounts in the hard-to-count communities. An incomplete count could mean your community does not receive its fair share of funding.”

Central South Distributor Honors Williams Brothers

The nation’s leading independent gospel distributor, Central South Distribution, celebrated its 5^th Annual Distribution Showcase and R.E.A.C.H. Awards (Radio Everywhere Announcing Christ Is Here) with a special presentation of its Lifetime Achievement Award to its latest signee, the Williams Brothers. Young gospel artists Lowell Pye, Jerard Woods and Jason Nelson paid homage to the Williams Brothers who are celebrating 45 years in the industry, most recently with the release of their CSD CD The Journey Continues, performing their classics like “God Will Deliver” and “Sweep Around.”

Among the radio awards, Sheila Lee, Elizabeth City State University gospel WRVS-FM (89.9) in North Carolina, was presented with a R.E.A.C.H. award by radio announcer Ace Alexander of the Light Network and Terry Woods, Director of Distribution for Central South. Central South-distributed artists Monique Walker, LeJuene Thompson, Bill Moss Jr., Carnell Murrell, Bernard Harris, Blessed, The Nevel Sisters, Scott Savol & NSRC were among the performers. 

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