Roxie: From Mix Show to Morning Show

 By: Maya Perry

Raquel “Roxie” Wadelington is a bubbly, passionate and assertive young woman who has taken over mornings as the first lady of the 3LiveCrew Morning show in NC. “Roxie” was a nickname given by mentor in the radio industry and she loves it!

Roxie started as an intern in 2007 at radio station while attending school and worked her way to into morning radio. She explains doing any and everything asked to do from filling in at remotes to picking up trash at station events. She began working on mix shows and filling in for on air shifts as well. Roxie describes her purpose in radio by stating, “Whenever someone says listening to me in the morning puts them in better spirits, uplifts them, or in some way brightens their day, my purpose is reconfirmed. That purpose is to spread light, love, and laughter and help people start each day as positively as possible.”

When asked what she would tell her younger self, she states “Be yourself. You don’t have to be anyone else and you don’t have to try and please people. Be who you are and you will always win; people who like you will love you for you, and people who don’t like you will at least respect your authenticity.” She grew up idolizing women in radio who displayed their very relateable personality and she is eager to continue those traits to the listeners she inspires every day.

Roxie is a mother and wife who exudes the significance of being able to be a family oriented individual in this ever changing media environment. She concludes our conversation by affirming, “Don’t compromise and don’t pretend. If you front long enough, it will get old, so save yourself the trouble and keep it real from the jump.”

Shilynne Cole: A Platform is Nothing Without People

 By: Maya Perry

Shilynne Cole is programmer and personality with over two decades of experience in three radio formats. Shilynne, whom goes by her given middle name, is a proficient multifaceted personality who is open to learning new things and displaysawillingness and eagerness to adjust to the ever-changing radio industry.

Shilynne wanted to be in radio and television for as long as she can remember, but she had established an obsession with music and radio from a young age. At 10 years old, hermotherbought one of those small old school transistor radios and she would listen to it continuously. Her plan was to major in Broadcast Journalism, but do television first.

Her high school principal gave her introduction into radio.In her senior year of high school, she was the president of the Student Government Association and one of her duties was to read the announcements over the P.A. system every morning. One morning, her principal stopped her on the way out and said, “You know, you really have a great voice. You should consider going into radio.” That was her confirmation that this was her life’s purpose.

She went on to do internships at three different radio formats including Gospel radio and Public radio before she graduated from college. She began her first radio job immediately after graduation at the Gospel radio station she had previously interned with. Shilynne continues to share her spirit and electrifying voice during her show “The Afternoon Drive” on the #1 R&B and Old School station where she is currently program director.

When asked what Shilynne believes her brand is, she simply states, “I’ve never really thought about myself as being a brand. I guess that being my authentic self, both on air and off air is what’s most important to me. My purpose in radio kind of mirrors my purpose in life, which is to help…whatever form that help takes. Shilynne concludes her interview by giving advice to her younger self and other inspiring, upcoming women in radio by stating “….. you are not what has happened to you. You are NOT what people think you are. You are what GOD says you are. You are greater than any opposition that comes against you.”

“Be coachable. Be flexible. Be fearless.”- Shilynne, 2019

Elizabeth Coombs: Intern Turns Into Radio Mastermind

 By: Tyrisha Irwin

Elizabeth Coombs, also known as “Beth” has conquered the world of radio out of unwavering focus, drive and passion. The Brooklyn wife and mother of three credits her experience to “persistence, luck and a lotta learning.” Although her interests include stand up comedy and improvisation, she confesses to not being the most experienced radio host.

Her first job was as an intern for one of the smallest radio groups in New York. She lacked the radio experience and suffered from age differences. However, her heightened level of maturity worked for her benefit and jump started her career. The operating manager of 92.7 FM The Drive, Utica-Arjuna Broadcasting allowed Coombs to produce and air a Public Relations show for 30 minutes every Sunday.

After 5 months, she joined a radio station with her husband where she worked as news director and a co-host for the morning news talk show. Not too long after, she was hired by Lite 98.7 as a part of the “Beth & Dave in The Morning” show.  The couple discusses a variety of topics ranging from odd things that make them cry to small town eats like sushi burritos.Although Beth has no problem letting loose on air, she does have some professional goals that motivate her everyday to keep moving forward.

Professionally, Coombs hopes to continue to grow as a woman and a radio host. To her, a hunger of learning is essential for success, “If you're not curious about every single aspect of the business, you're doing it wrong.” Beth always says, “I want to learn all the things!” She aims to get better at as many featuresof radio as she can in hopes that she can influence others.

Elizabeth Coombs has a desire to use her career as an opportunity to positively impact those around her, “I’d like to find new ways to leverage my position to benefit my community and women as a whole. There can never be enough voices empowering and cheering on women.” She even sees herself using her sense of humor and possibly trying stand-up comedy to support women all over the world.

Her advice to any upcoming radio personalities is this: “Never ever think it’s too late to follow your passion. Your path might be different than you imagined, but a path still exists.” She also urged women to always be willing to help others because if you’re apart of team then “act like it” because “people will be jerks here and there, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a jerk in response.” Her closing remarks were as follows: “You can do this! It comes down to how consistently you’re willing to work for it. Believe in yourself.”

Elizabeth Coombs has proven that hard work, passion and faith are keys to success and following your dreams. Although her career journey flourished at a time that some would consider as “late,” she has set her mark in journalism. She has shown that regardless of age or experience, women can accomplish anything they put their minds and hearts to.

Rida Naser: From Radio Winner to Program Director

By: Maya Perry 

Rida Naser is a quirky but determined individual who walked into her passion through a simple radio contest. I couldn’t believe the story when she told me but it’s true. Rida is an original who chose to go by her given name. She explains, “I feel like if I came up with a random name, I would hate it down the line and then I’d be stuck with it. With my own name, I have no choice but to like it!”

Rida’s radio story begins when she won a contest to meet Selena Gomez at an FM radio station. She walked in and fell in love with the energy of the place and pursued an internship in August of 2013. From there, she got involved with her college radio station where she became an on air host. She then pursued a programming internship in 2014 at Sirius XM Radio and within a year, she was promoted to music programming coordinator. Rida’s drive and ambition allowed her to improve her skills and develop within the industry. This determination has lead Rida to become Program Director at SiriusXM.

When asked what she would tell her younger self, she states “Keep doing your thang, girl! You’re going to be really proud of yourself one day. There will be a lot of failures along the way, but don’t let them hold you back. If you take one step back, take two steps forward and keep going.”

This woman in radio’s story inspires us to recognize that every person’s journey is diverse but the love of music will drive you to fight through all obstacles for the ultimate goal. Rida continues by stating, “I found my purpose in radio when I realized how much radio can affect artist’s lives. I love finding new music, I love playing them on the air, and I love seeing new artist’s reactions.”

Rida continues to push the radio culture forward and sets an example for all prospective and active women programmers across the world.

Lori Flowers: Know Your Worth and Ask for What You Want

By: Tyrisha Irwin

Fisk University and Arizona State alumni, Lori Flowers, is currently the Marketing Director for Radio One Atlanta where she oversees the promotional and marketing efforts for their radio stations. She was born in Indianapolis and raised in Phoenix when her father’s job relocated her at a young age to an unfamiliar city where she had to learn to adapt quickly to the world around her. As the only African American in her classes and in school, she had the desire to soar to new limits and become successful regardless of adversities. According to Flowers, “As the only AA in classes and school, I felt that I had to be that much better. I had to make sure I knew my stuff, did my assignments and do well in presentations. As a child, I always felt less than because I looked different, but as I got older, I owned being the only one.”

The Indiana and Arizona hybrid began her career journey as an intern for Sundance Broadcasting working in the Production Department. Although she wanted to work in TV, “the passion was not there” until she began her first position in radio at V-103 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I fell in love with radio during my first week working there. I think I liked the energy.” To Flowers, the people around her were very talented, funny and got paid to entertain and inform people.

Following her position at V-103 in ATL, she became a Promotions Director in West Palm Beach, FL for a CBS news station and a Clear Channel station as well as a Marketing Director for Radio One cluster.

Despite having a hectic and lively career, it allowed Flowers to build an amazing network. To Flowers’, many interns’ career paths today are completely different than what she experienced in her journey. “In the old days, moving around from one market to another was almost mandatory as there was no way you could work in a large market and be elevated without experience under your belt. Today, things have changed drastically. I have watched interns in top 10 markets, get jobs right away without having to go to a smaller market first.”

When asked if she believed her past molded her into who she is now, Flowers firmly believed that everything she experienced prepared her for where she is. “Every move to a new city I’ve made, every mistake with an event I have made, every encounter I have made has strengthened me to be the woman I am today. Not perfect, but way stronger.”

Flowers advises women who wish to become successful in the industry to “hone their craft and know their stuff. Keep your word and have a solid and consistent work ethic.” Even though Flowers stated she had no regrets in her career, she does wish she had spoke up more in her younger years because she sat in male-dominated rooms where she didn’t say what she wanted to.In fact, she would’ve told “every woman to know their worth and ask for what they want. Speak up!”

Morgan Mckenzie: The It Girl

By: Maya Perry

 Morgan McKenzie also known as the #TheItGirl is an on air personality that can do “it” all. Morgan states that she chose to go by her given name because “…my mother takes pride in my name that she gave me. I wanted to honor that. I also believe it has a ring to it, and it can go with me beyond my radio career.”

Morgan started out producing PSA’s for WNAA, 90.1 at NCAT. Her sophomore year at NCAT, she would email BDAHT, of 102 JAMZ, persistently while in classes inquiring about internship opportunity.  Bdaht eventually invited Morgan to be an intern for the Wild out Wake up Show with himself, Toshamakia, and Kyle Santillian in 2010-2011. During her internship, she produced topical content, edit audio, and assist with promotional events. Upon entering into grad school at NCAT, she interned for Chris Lea at 102 JAMZ on “Straight Talk” which is the community-based talk show. A lot of what she was learning in her English and African American Literature courses ended up being topics of discussion for the show. After interning on-air for about a year, Morgan was hired as an official part-time employee at 102 JAMZ in 2015. Since then, she has filled in and worked almost every show slot.

Morgan persistency has not only help with her growth in radio but she has redefined what “no” means to her. “New Opportunities (N-O). I can’t count how many times I have heard the word, “No,” in my radio career. Had I allowed that one word to deter me, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now! Keep going.”

When I asked Morgan what she believed her brand is initially she states, “…a multifaceted young lady who does it all! One can find me discussing hip hop and pop culture on air, to discussing social and cultural issues on “Straight Talk.” I am a professor at NCAT as well as a mentor to students. I am also a performer and dance coach. I host parties and panels. I co-produce a podcast, “Red Wine and Radio.” That’s just to name a few things in which I’m involved. You name it, I can do it.”

#TheItGirl describes that her purpose is to be inspire and unite people through her platform. She always believed that her voice had power because she speaks from the heart and a place of transparency. Morgan concludes our interview by saying, “The industry is tough to navigate, and sometimes it takes years for your big break. However, in the meantime, you’re working and producing for yourself so that when that big day comes, you are more than ready to accept the task! Build that resume now, sis!”