community than people think, and I think that’s a beautiful thing because there are so many times the media wants you to believe that our community is not interested in what’s going on, that we’re not interested in politics, that we don’t care about education and that we don’t value marriage. That’s just not true. And it’s no different for a listener in Augusta, Georgia than it is for a listener in Chicago. The thing that I love so much about doing black radio and what goes on in our culture is that when something happens, whether or not it’s the Jena 6 situation or the Sean Bell situation, it affects all of us. We pay attention to it because we know that if it happens someplace else, it could happen in our hometown. So that means that by being syndicated, we all become this one big family who cares.
What are your thoughts on the future of black radio?
DB: Black radio has always been a force. Sometimes it’s been pushed to the back, but it always seems to rise back up because black radio is more community oriented. Ask African Americans about their radio station and they’ll know every aspect of the jocks’ lives: your kids, what you drive, where you live, how much you spend at Target. It’s just not the same with a white station. Black radio is never going to be bad to us.
DM: I think black radio is headed in a direction that is very positive. Radio has helped achieve a higher conscience level for a lot of listeners. Black radio is one of the few things left for African Americans that’s directed to you, for you, and about you. Black radio isn’t going anywhere. It’s getting better. And I love it.