10 Questions – The Best Quotes Of 2020

This week, we look back at 2020 with the best answers to some of our best questions.

Sam Weaver
Urban/UAC Editor
All Access Music Group (1/7/20)

"When using the term "Urban," people associate the term with African Americans and assume Urban radio is where we work. However, today African Americans work in numerous formats other than Urban Mainstream or Urban AC. At the same time, many Urban radio properties have air staff and personnel from other races and cultures --White, Hispanic, Asian, etc. One other thing, there are Urban stations that are Black owned and operated and there are stations non-minority owned and programmed specifically to those who like Black music."

Brandy "Beasy Baybie" Henshaw
Air Personality (2/11/20)

"I truly admire Angie Martinez - she’s the G.O.A.T to me, as far as female on air talent goes. Her interview skills are unmatched, and she’s naturally built organic relationships in the industry. “Charlamagne Tha God” is one other on-air personality I admire. He uses his platform in a big way and has shared his radio journey openly. He’s unapologetically himself, and listeners either love or hate him for it, but it’s REAL either way."

Michael "Mike Swift" Powell
PD
WKYS/Washington DC, (1/21/20)

"Broaden your horizons. I have a background in writing, public relations, graphic design, and managing websites. My time working in government gave me the chance to manage a website and it helped me as a PD. In short, it doesn't hurt to be a jack of all trades."

Shilynne Cole
Brand Manager/Afternoons
WQMG & WEAL Greensboro/NC (5/19/20)

"Listeners have lots of choices in audio these days radio has changed so much from ‘back in the day.’ We have to continue to emphasize the power of local radio. It’s our “Superpower” in that we can directly interact with our listeners and our communities. It’s one of the things radio got right early on…the power of being local. Today’s technology gives us more of an avenue to drive that relationship. Radio is a business, yes, but it’s also a way to help affect change in our communities."

Armand "DJ Q" Flowers
Content Director/PD
WGZB & WMJM/Louisville, KY (2/18/20)

"Being a PD isn't about just programming but leading your team to new heights and levels in their careers. It's more about team, connection, and being a teacher. Not being threatened by talent, but welcoming talent as part of your legacy."

Jane Ohl (Jane Dough)
PD
WIKS Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville (4/21/20)

"When I was younger, I was impulsive about everything. I made decisions based on my emotions. As I got older, I learned to pick my battles. In order for me to have peace in my life, I have to be peaceful. So,

these days if something bothers me, I address the problem head on. I try to figure out what the root of the problem is and once I break the problem down, I tackle it the best that I can, so hopefully, the problem doesn’t happen again."

Clarence Natto
Director of Branding/Programming
WOKV-HD2 & WJGL-HD2/Jacksonville, FL (11/3/20)

"We need to reorganize and design our station operations to support this new era or I’m afraid we’ll find ourselves playing catch up or worse. One of the founders of Intuit, Scott D. Clark famously said, “A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is, it’s what they tell each other it is”. Keep your fingers on the pulse of your audience so that you can continue to deliver content they can’t get anywhere else and remain agile so that you can pivot to meet their needs.

Terri Avery
Director of Branding/Programming
WALR/Atlanta GA (11/24/20)

“It would be great if all the Black radio stations in Atlanta united to get our people out to vote. I called the respective PD’s at the other stations and we formed Black Radio United for The Vote."

Walt "Baby" Love
Host of Gospel Traxx
Urban One/Reach Media (7/14/20)

"Paul Drew once said to me when we were talking about, what he called “good” effective radio that reaches people where they are, “Walt, when you’re programming radio remember this. Give the people some of what they want and some of what they need. And talk to them, not at them. They’ll allow you into their world if you bring them into your world.

I believed that then and I still believe it. We practice that programming philosophy every weekend on Gospel Traxx alongI think radio’s future, no matter the format, needs human “warmth” to be relevant in society along with whatever else they do."

Deja Vu
Afternoons
ABC Audio/WBLS/NY Nationally Syndicated (7/28/20)

"Black Women in the Industry: When I got started in radio, I didn’t know many women who were programming stations, let alone Black women. Throughout the years I’ve been touched by various women who make things happen in this field through their insight, resilience and perseverance behind the scenes and on air: Cathy Hughes, Helen Little, Dyana Williams, Carla Ferrell, Tiffany Green, Sheila Eldridge, Tammi Mac, the list goes on and on. These women have and continue to inspire my growth."