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Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Tambra Cherie
March 28, 2023
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She’s on President Bidens Holiday Party list, is a reality show star and soon to be featured as a journalist on a True Crime series, but radio is Tambra Cherie’s first love and the outlet which lead her to the professional success she is experiencing now. Cherie is currently known as the Midday Diva for 97.7, The Beat of the Capital, WRBJ/Jackson, MS. She is also one of the stars of the reality television show, “Belle Collective,” on the OWN Network, which is gearing up for season three. This will be her third season on the program as one of original Southern Belles.
Cherie also previously served as guest host on Lifetime’s hit television show, “Bring It,” and still currently serves as guest co-host on Dish Nation TV, which airs on FOX affiliates. She has over 15 years of experience in radio and television and is the author of “Surrounded By Sin, Grounded By Love: 8 Simple Keys to Becoming a Better You.” She has appeared on a number of radio & television programs, including One’s “Sister Circle,” sharing her message of becoming better with audiences around the world.
But that’s not all, in the middle of all this, Tambra Cherie also believes in promoting healthier lifestyles throughout communities. During the pandemic, she released, “Tambra Cherie’s Favorite Immunity Tea,” which includes high quality herbs designed to boost your immune system. She is an avid tea enthusiast, and foodie, and teaches others the importance of healthier choices.
Tambra Cherie is co-owner of the women’s online clothing boutique, 5th and Sole. She is an advocate for a number of issues that are important to her. She recently served as an advocate for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research & Education Act of 2021, sharing her message with various Congress members to help advocate for awareness, education, and change on behalf of women across the country.
While Cherie works hard to balance everything she is involved in, there is a reason radio is still her biggest passion. “I have absolutely grown to love middays,” she explains. “I have such a broad audience during the midday. I believe it is not only my job to entertain our listeners with the hottest entertainment news and gossip, but also to encourage, motivate and inspire them whenever I can. I also believe in local. The audience needs to know what’s going on in their communities. I think it’s important to know what’s going on in your market. Jackson, MS went through a water crisis previously and our station became a source of information on where citizens could pick up water. Our station personalities even delivered water to those who were not able to get out and get water.”
“I’ve also done several interviews with various sectors of the White House on how certain departments and bills affect the citizens of Mississippi. I believe in educating our listeners on things they may not know, and options available to them. I believe as an on-air personality, I am also a servant. My job is to serve people first.”
What’s interesting about Cherie, is that television is what got her into radio. “I always loved music and entertainment. I was hosting a local television program while I was in college that went around the city and surrounding areas covering events and interviewing artists,” she says. “We started covering concerts and festivals. I would interview celebrities that came to town and just people in general, and I fell in love with it. I started interning at the radio station while still in school. I fell in love with radio. The Program Director started me out by having me look up entertainment news, which led to me pre-recording the overnight shift. During this time, I started writing for various music websites and outlets gaining the experience I needed all around. It was then I also started doing promotions for various companies in the market. I loved everything I was doing. Radio was fun. It’s always been fun to me. It didn’t feel like work.”
“I graduated from Jackson State University with a degree in Business Management and Marketing. I initially thought I wanted to be in corporate America. I remember interning at a corporation in Omaha, Nebraska, and I would finish the work very fast. I would then get on the computer and start looking up entertainment news while listening to music. I just followed my passion and things I really loved to do and here we are.”
“There have been a number of exciting things I have experienced in my career,” says Cherie. “This past December, I was invited to the White House for President Biden’s Holiday party and that was due to the work I was doing on radio. The work I’ve put in radio also opened the doors to national television. I began guest hosting on Dish Nation TV. I was a guest host on Lifetime’s hit TV show, ‘Bring It,’ for a few episodes. One year, I was honored as ‘Woman of the Year’ alongside the Mayor, who was ‘Man of the Year.’ That was exciting.”
“Attending various awards shows including the Grammys, that’s always been exciting too. When you love music and you just love entertainment, it’s all exciting. But I would say one of the biggest accomplishments for me would be being put in a position and on a platform to help other people. I really believe in serving and helping others. Radio gives me the platform to do that. Radio gives me the opportunity to change someone’s mood if he or she is having a bad day. Radio is a powerful platform. Radio allows me to have a voice for those who think they may not have one. Radio allows me to speak up for others. I believe in having an impact. People rarely forget how you make them feel or how you have helped them in some way.”
Over the course of Cherie’s career, she has faced her share of challenges. “I come from a small market. I’ve always worked in smaller markets and at smaller stations,” she says. “I’ve had colleagues in the industry ask me when traveling ‘why are you there? Why do you continue to stay there?’ I’ve had people question my ability and compare it to other personalities in bigger markets and question my worth. It was in those moments I found mentors in the industry who not only encouraged me but helped me become an even better personality.”
Obviously Cherie understands the value of having a good support system and she offers great advice for women who want to rise to the top in this business. “I would say to other women to stay consistent,” she says. “Consistency is key. Always be willing to learn. I’m still a student. I love learning new things. I love networking and the people I’ve met in this industry have been a blessing. I’ve met Program Directors who have sat down and given me some of the best advice. I’ve met other air talent who have become friends where we talk, strategize, and listen to each other. Find your voice and don’t be afraid to be vocal.”
What keeps Cherie up at night? “I always tell people to enjoy the moment, but the future keeps me up at night,” she says. “We always wonder what’s next. We always want to grow. What can we do to become better? What goals can we set next? How can we achieve them? We always want more. Radio is about elevation as well.”
“But I do think finding balance is one of the keys to a good life! Taking care of yourself in the midst of it all,” she adds. “I can now admit that I was one of those female personalities that put my career before marriage and kids. I didn’t want to miss anything. I didn’t want any opportunities to pass me by. I didn’t want to stop working. I didn’t want to lose myself in a man or a marriage. I’ve learned now to let go and let God. Anything that’s meant for you is not going to pass you by. My priorities have changed throughout the years as I have grown. Balancing family, your personal life, radio, television, hosting, and other endeavors that you love can be challenging, but I’ve learned to take my time and prioritize it. Everything that I do doesn’t feel like work. I still love what I do, and I look forward to the next chapters.”
Speaking of which, “We are currently close to wrapping up filming for Season 3 of ‘Belle Collective.’ I also just filmed with a True Crime series as a journalist for another major television network and that should be released in October. And be sure to check out my podcast with Gary with the Tea and Georgia Alfredas, ‘There I Said It,’ on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.”
“Tambra Cherie’s Favorite Immunity Tea is available online and in a few stores. I would encourage all radio personalities to get my favorite immunity tea, because the high quality herbs in the tea are designed to boost our immune systems to keep us on air. I can honestly say I thank God I still have not had covid and I have not had the flu in years.”
Follow Tamara Cherie on Instagram: @tambracherie, Facebook: Tambra Cherie On Air, Twitter: @tambracherie and her website: www.tambracherie.com
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