June 28, 2019 - 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.” ​

​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!

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.

About Urban One, Inc.
Urban One, Inc. (urban1.com), together with its subsidiaries, is the largest diversified media company that primarily targets Black Americans and urban consumers in the United States. The Company owns TV One, LLC (tvone.tv), a television network serving more than 59 million households, offering a broad range of original programming, classic series and movies designed to entertain, inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. CLEO TV (mycleo.tv), a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color that launched in January 2019, is fully owned by TV One, LLC, a brand of Urban One, Inc. As one of the nation's largest radio broadcasting companies, Urban One currently owns and/or operates 59 broadcast stations (including HD stations we operate) branded under the tradename "Radio One" in 15 urban markets in the United States. Through its controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (blackamericaweb.com), the Company also operates syndicated programming including the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Russ Parr Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show.
In addition to its radio and television broadcast assets, Urban One owns iOne Digital (ionedigital.com), our wholly owned digital platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius, Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands.
We also have invested in a minority ownership interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George's County, Maryland. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American and urban audiences.

Written by: Jermaine Sain

​called The Riverfront Jazz Festival, presented by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters.  If you know anything about me, then you know that I enjoy concerts and festivals.  Plus, the concert had a long list of artists the I enjoy, like Erykah Badu, Rahsaan Patterson, Rachelle Ferrell, Lalah Hathaway, and many more.  

​Then the idea came to me....why not see if you can obtain credentials to this event so that way you can meet some great people in the area plus have footage for your next video.  

Needless to say, we did just that and we had a blast but there was one person that I wanted to see perform that I didn't get to see because her performance was happening during the time of the event that I was in Dallas for.  That person was Rhonda Ross.  

Then, around maybe March of this year, I started looking up the artist for the Atlanta Jazz Festival, which we have now covered for the last 3 or 4 years, and to my surprise, Rhonda Ross and Rodney Kendrick was listed as one of the performers!  Immediately I was like, "Lord, this must be my opportunity"......then I was like forget this "I want to feature her on a segment of What Do YOU Speak?".

The month of April rolled around and I was going back and forth about reaching out to her because I was so afraid that she would say no.......but then finally I decided to put down my fears and reach out to her management.  To my surprise, she said YES!!!!!

I gave you that long story to say, don't allow your fears to hold you back from what may be one of the most life changing events in your life!  

I had so much fun speaking with Rhonda and she was so super cool and down to earth!  I feel so blessed for this opportunity and I hope that this interview inspires you!!!! 
What Do YOU Speak?

From:  emrahkotan.com
Emrah Kotan is a classically trained percussionist who came to the United States from his native Turkey and received a Master's degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University. His debut album, The New Anatolian Experience, is a collection of original compositions and arrangements that fuse world music and jazz, creating stylistically sophisticated vibes and a genuine model of personal artistic expression.
​
After playing some of the most renowned venues in the world such as the Istanbul Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival and The Blue Note in New York, Emrah is one of the most sought after musicians in the Atlanta music scene. His unique musical ability transcends many genres and cultures. He is involved in various musical projects, including his own, and is the drummer/percussionist for Grammy award winning artist, India.Arie.

Noted comedian, actor and REACH Media Syndicated Radio host, DL Hughley is bringing his own brand of comedy and commentary to TV One with his new nighttime talk show THE DL HUGHLEY SHOW, which premiered Monday, March 18 at 11/10C PM. The show will air four nights a week, Monday through Thursday.
​
Hughley is one of the most unapologetic voices of our time and does not shy away from controversy. THE DL HUGHLEY SHOW dives head first into hot topics of the day and dishes on the latest news, entertainment, pop culture and what's trending in social media.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to expand my radio show and bring it to a late night television audience,” said DL Hughley. “I want to talk about things that matter to our community and this show will mirror what everyone is talking about every day.”

Always insightful and informative, Hughley and his co-host Jasmine Sanders use humor to deliver everything from hard news to lighter fare. Featuring stories relevant to a rapidly evolving African American community, the one-hour show, which is a hybrid of Hughley's existing radio show and fresh content created specifically for a nighttime audience, will offer everything from covering the day’s major headlines and round table discussions to celebrity guest interviews and comedy bits.

“We are excited to grow our partnership with an amazing talent like DLHughley, who’s already a part of our Urban One family,”        said Michelle Rice, TV One General Manager.
​“DL will courageously shine a light on the issues facing black America with his unique brand of humor, intelligence and thought-provoking perspective.”

Shot in a stylized studio, the look and feel of THE DL HUGHLEY SHOW is patterned after a traditional radio show, adapted for television and will be taped in-studio four days a week from Burbank, CA. 

THE DL HUGHLEY SHOW is produced for TV One by Pygmy Wolf Productions with DL Hughley and KP Anderson serving as Executive Producers. Sonya Vaughn and Charlie Gerencer serve as Co-Executive Producers and Jade Mills serves as Executive in Charge of Production. Melanie Massie serves as Talent Producer. For TV One, Susan Henry and Regina Thomas serve as Executive Producers in Charge of Production. 

For more information about the DL HUGHLEY SHOW, visit TV One’s microsite and check out exclusive, behind the scenes content.TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hash tags #THEDLHUGHLEYSHOW, #TVONE and #REPRESENT.

I'm Getting Ready by Michael Kiwanuka

If you live anywhere in the Atlanta metro area, you are aware that the film industry in Atlanta is continuously growing.  At this time, there are so many productions shot in Atlanta and Georgia, that it's too hard to keep up with what's shooting.  This has definitely opened up a door for actors in Atlanta to get more roles and opportunities. 

Get Your Tickets:  3rd annual ATL Actors Awards

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ABOUT THE ATL ACTORS AWARDS:
Website:  ATL Actors Awards
Facebook: ATL Actors Awards
Instagram: ATLActorsAwards

When We Speak TV's own, Jermaine Sain will be presenting at the 3rd annual ATL Actors Awards!!!

KEYWORDS
Brad James - Actor Brad James- brad james red carpet - actors - atlanta actors - brad james movies and tv shows - tyler perry - tyler perry for better of for worse - actors ATL

Who is Shameia Crawford?  Some may simply classify her as a Soul or R&B artist but I believe the essence of her artistry is rooted much deeper.  Shameia first displayed her talents to her local church congregation and by the age of 5, knew that she wanted to be a singer.  By the age of 17, she released an independent album.  In addition, to such a great accomplishment at a young age, she continued her pursuit of a musical career at Winston-Salem State University, earning a degree in music. 

Shortly into the conversation, I recognized her aspiration to capture the emotions of every audience that she stands in front of.  “I believe in my voice and I believe that I have something to offer that no one else does”, says Shameia.  Indeed, she has a special gift and it is considerably identifiable whether she is singing background vocals for legendary soul artists like Angie Stone, accompanying gospel singers like Vashawn Mitchell, or performing her original music. ​

​Singer/Actor Tony Hightower (native to the city of Atlanta) speaks with Jermaine Sain on When We Speak about his new jazz album, "The New Standard".  You've seen Tony Hightower in many Tyler Perry plays such as Madea Gets A Job, The Have and Have Nots, Madea On The Run, and others. In addition to his acting career, Tony Hightower is also a singer who was a former member of the R&B group 4.0 which was signed to Peebles Reid's label. He has so work with artists and greats such as Ceelo, Outkast, Gerald Levert, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, to name a few.