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VOL. 47 NO. 14 50¢
THURSDAY, MAY 10 - WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018
LOCAL
Black Talent at White-Owned Urban Stations Must Consider the Economics
Library Director Kelvin Watson named to Book Industry Study Group’s Board
Are you noticing that some of our community’s most influential black on-air personalities are disappearing from Cox Media’s urban radio stations? Tamara G, Michael Baisden, Shelby Rushing, Benji Brown, Rick Party and even Felisha Monet are no longer on air. The attrition rate is undeniable, and as an advocate for the Black agenda, my antennas are up. According to Dexter Bridgemen, the president of the Blacked Owned Media Alliance (BOMA), “with new management comes new formating.” The changing of the guard is normal and typically, local personalities are replaced with syndicated shows where possible to save costs. However, it was in my conversation with South Florida radio pioneer Jerry
Two-year term to begin in July 2018 BROWARD COUNTY, FL Broward County Libraries Director Kelvin Watson has been elected to the Book Industry Study Group’s Board of Directors, with his twoyear term commencing on July 1, 2018.” I am honored to represent Broward County Library and libraries nationwide,” says Watson. “I look forward to serving on the board and advocating on behalf of library customers in the United States.” The Book Industry Study Group, Inc. (BISG), is the leading book trade association for policy, technical standards and research related to books and similar products. The mission of BISG is to simplify logistics for publishers, manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, librarians and others engaged in the business of print and electronic media. Members of BISG’s Board of Directors come from every segment of the book industry (Cont’d on page 9)
The Founders of South Florida Black Business Directory at Hot 105/Cox Media discussing the Black Dollar and its trillion dollar impact.
Rushing, that I realized “Black radio has been changing for years.” In fact, the transition from Black radio to urban radio is more than just schematics; it’s the systematic devaluing of Black on-air talent, minimizing the economic impact
By Mei-Ling Ho-Shing It has been 3 months since my school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, came face to face with the devastating reality of gun violence. Nestled in the corner of my Algebra II class on the second floor of the Freshman Building, I can still hear the screams of the students and teachers from the floors above and below. On February 14th, I was catapulted into activism, leaving Spring Break plans behind. I am one of millions who has joined the national debate on the assault weapons ban, prohibiting the sale of high-capacity magazines and closing the loopholes in background check laws that allow dangerous people who should not be allowed to purchase firearms to slip through the cracks and buy guns online or at gun shows. Today, I stand at the intersection of when
a predominantly white and wealthy community faces gun violence, and when Black and Brown people are shot and killed on a daily basis. Throughout the United States, there has been over 30 cases of shootings that have taken place since February 14th. It has been blaringly obvious that the 17 lives lost in Parkland, Florida have garnered unprecedented support and media attention while the shootings in and/or around inner city schools get swept under the “gang-violence” carpet. Recently, Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Liberty City ,was strongly affected by a shooting that happened a few feet away from their school. Four students were gunned down, two died and two are recovering. The students of Miami Northwestern quickly galvanized, organized a walk-out in their school and called for gun violence
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MEI-LING HO-SHING to end. This was a successful studentled movement, yet it did not get the same social coverage as Marjory Stoneman Douglas received. We were eager to get in touch with them. On Saturday, April 14th, TyahAmoy Roberts, Brandon Desent, Kai Koerber and I (Mei-Ling Ho-Shing) (Cont’d on page 3)
Know Thy Greatness
By Artist Yvette Michele, Pompano Beach, FL “African American history and the contributions throughout the years have been many. We have to begin to pay homage to our ancestors who were here before us, and let me tell you why. A wise man told me that if you want to go forward and move ahead you got to to know where you came from. “These are the words from an introductory speech that the late Idella Grissett gave to honor the legacy of ‘The Know Thy Greatness’ exhibit in Pompano Beach. It was all of her greatest love in this moment because the audience was comprised of future leaders (the youth), Pompano Beach community, family members and most cherished her father “Bo” Terry Holloway. She introduced
Come fly with me, literally There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. Deuteronomy 33:26 (KJV) By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Photos by John McCall, Chris Thomas and Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
I am ready to stand up; I’m ready to speak out!
Her Legacy
IDELLA GRISSETT
the Black voice has on the Black listening audience. This is why advertisers are eager to pay what it costs to saturate urban stations, dictate aspects of urban radio programming, and control how and (Cont’d on page 5)
A M E S S A GE F ROM OU R PU BL IS H E R
him with pride for his contributions as a cultural artist for the exhibition and because he was also her foundation in her quest for knowledge to embrace her heritage. Her footprints are imprinted on this earth for preservation of African American History, bringing cultures together, and the recognition all of the arts. With honor I was invited to sit with her family and friends to learn more about Grissett’s legacy. As a child she showed no fear - stand up and stand out personality. Her aunt Yolonda shared that, “She gladly performed and MC’d her family re-unions”. Her grandfather Bishop Grissett reflected on her motherhood and value of family. He said, “She meant what she said”, when it comes to discipline and recognition (Cont’d on page 9)
If someone had told me that I would be flying in an airplane that the Historic Tuskegee Airmen trained in, I would’ve probably said something like, “Yeah right and Hell will freeze over and the devil would be wearing ice cream drawers too!” So, I guess somebody better ask what flavor is he wearing today. Thanks to Brenda Little of BBIG Marketing, Public Affairs Agency, the person that open the door or should I say that gave me the lift to get into the rear cockpit seat of a 75 plus year-old World War II-era aircraft, and fly with the Skytypers Air Show Team. I was on yet another experience to see God’s handiwork. The notable roar of the vintage engines filled the space in my helmet between the microphone and my ears as my body trembled from the might of the engines as I hid my nervousness between the vibrations. Maybe if I had spoken with Frank before flying, I could have settled my nerves a bit. Chief of Maintenance, Frank Atria, in his eight (Cont’d on page 11)
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