inspiration from those who came before me

I Roc The Mic Conference 2007 Miami Florida

My former co-worker Rick Party WGCI FM 107.5) held the 2nd Annaul "I Rock The Mic" Conference was this past weekend in Miami, Florida at the Conrad Miami Hotel. It was an event to go down in the halls of radio history.Many of Chicago's beloved history makers were on hand to join in the festivities including honoring Chicago's own legendary Herb Kent, The Kool Gent who was honored for his pioneering spirit, celebrating 52 years in the business. (80 years young this month!)

Honorees included green eyed Donnie Simpson, host of back in the day Video Soul, as well as a tribute to The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Tom Joyner, the origional Fly Jock! I even had the blessing to meet the legendary Ms. Irene Ware, who was on the air hosting Gospel Shows before I was even born! She's responsible for many of the record labels that exist today! I even met her son, President of major record label.

I even ran into my girl First Lady (Former Radio Personality WGCI) current Mid-Day Personality/Music Director/Asst. Program Director WTCL 106.7 FM, Indianapolis, Indiana who invited me to be keynote speaker at an upcoming women's empowerment seminar!

Crazy as a betsy bug Irene (Mama Cita) Mojica (V103 Weekdays 7-11pm) even showed up and showed out, sharing her words of wisdom in the seminar of legendary Program Director of WGCI/V103's Elroy Smith. (Currently Operations Director for Radio One Philadelphia)Irene taught us a few tricks of the trade and by just by being herself. (Which was one of Elroys top 10 things for jocks at his seminar entitled: Radio Needs Personalities: Not D.J.'sI met more folk from Chicago (that I really needed to network with) that I never would have met, had I not gone to Miami, including New Program Director of V103, Derrrick Brown.

I even met the Program Director of a local TV station! Look forward to seeing more of HLN on major network! Mega Talented Businessman Tony Gray was on hand to lend his expertise as well as other panelists ranging from Vibe Magazine Editor to Oscar Joyner (Tom Joyner's son) of REACH Media who held his own, breaking it down in the Integrated Marketing Seminar along with others from ABC Networks, Coz from WVON Radio: Talk of the Negro, and others.

Doug Banks hosted the evening gala sharing a heartfelt story of a young man whose father sold his truck, just so that his son could attend this seminar. Guess what? His son landed a job while there. See what faith will do for you. Speaking of faith, Walt Baby Love, (the man whose shows I played every Saturday and Sunday Morning on Inspirational 1390 (formerly Gospel Radio 1390) was honored, reminding us all of the blessing it is to be recognized in this industry.I even got to chat with Mitch Falker, the king of Imaging for many radio stations throughout the country, as well as Gino Jones, (formerly of WBMX, now in S. Carolina.

It was a radio personality's smorgasbord! Any one who has made a mark in this industry, and those trying to break into the industry was in atteendance.The charming Santita Jackson (Daughter of Jesse Jackson Sr.) blessed the gala with her operetic version of The Lords Prayer, and simply blew the roof off the ceiling! She's lost well over several hundred pounds and looking simply lovlier by the moment. (Look forward to hearing her amazing story on our TV show in the near future.)


We were blessed with Actress/Activist/Director Cheryl Lee Ralph (Origional Dream Girl, Stepmother on Moesha TV Show, etc.) who presented an outstanding performance for World Aids Day on December 1st!Even Jonathan Adelstein, Commisioner of the FCC was on hand to share the truth about the direction of urban radio!

This is a must see! You don't want to miss this series with behind the scenes details of all the seminars we attended on the Higher Learning Network ZTV Show coming soon! (Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota)