New radio talk show to fill void

Radio listeners who make WRBP 101.9-FM a regular stop on their dial have by now made the transition to some of the new formats the station now offers.
Formerly called 102-JAMZ, the station was the first in the Mahoning Valley that was owned by a black businessman -- namely Atty. Percy Squire, a Youngstown East High graduate, through his Stop 26/Riverbend corporation.
WRBP and its sister stations WASN-1330 AM and WFGT 1500 AM were purchased last year in a bankruptcy auction by Bernard Ohio LLC of Dallas.
One of the local shows that got canceled was "Let's Talk About It,'' hosted by Kenneth King, better known as Brother K.
Weak ratings and ad revenues were listed as the cause for cancellation in a story carried in this paper last September.
Other radio talk shows that deal with local and national issues concerning the black community can now be heard on those stations, and I encourage you to tune in.
But listening to Brother K and his local guests gave some insight into the successes and failures of the local black community and the challenges black people face daily.
King has a wealth of knowledge concerning our African roots and black heritage, and he shared that often with his listeners.
A need in the community
Black talk radio shows allow issues specific to the black community to be given a forum for debate and to educate.
The key to keeping black talk radio alive is the black community supporting the programming the station offers and advertisers who buy time on that station.
Radio celebrity Tom Joyner has a loyal following, but you can bet that if the advertising revenue wasn't up to snuff, or if advertisers began pulling their ads, "The Fly Jock" would be off the air.
The need for more local black talk radio has prompted two well-known former television journalists to join forces to start a new talk show.
Ode Aduma, who recently retired from WKBN-TV Channel 27, and Greg Andrews, formerly of WYTV-TV Channel 33, will take to the airwaves Jan. 15 on radio station WHKZ 1440-AM.
Andrews, who did disc jockey work on 102-JAMZ under the nickname "Sugar Bear," said he and Aduma plan to bring the Mahoning Valley "savory and stimulating conversation on issues and concerns that affect the local, regional and state and national community."
Listener input encouraged
Listeners will be encouraged to call in and discuss those issues.
"The show will seek to find solutions and/or resolutions to problems that provoke public interest," said Andrews, who will be the show's producer. The show will be called "Toward a Resolution."
Andrews continued, "We are looking to talk to and listen to the comments and complaints of our listenership."
He said the show's driving principles will be something he calls "respect in conversation."
That means, Andrews said, no shouting one another down. The format will be to consider all points of view and hear those views in an effort to try to provide a resolution to issues within the community.
To support their efforts, advertising is needed, so all Valley businesses are encouraged to get on board, and the community should listen to the guys from 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays.
Professional journalists
I had the privilege of working with these two professionals for more than two decades. Aduma took me under his wing and showed me how to become a more thorough journalist. We also were former members of the Youngstown-Warren Association of Black Journalists.
For years, Aduma had his popular "Neighborhood News" segment on Channel 27, and we served as panelists on many local political forums.
Both men are competent, reliable and lifelong community residents who will bring their years of journalism expertise to the airwaves.
Will they be able to resolve all issues that come up on their show? Of course not.
But as I said earlier, good talk shows educate, stimulate debate and get us thinking about what we can do and, occasionally, produce a solution.
ebrown@vindy.com