Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers Assn. Inducts Latest Wave of Radio Legends

Special to the New Journal and Guide

HAMPTON ROADS

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, the Founders of the  Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers Association (HRBAA) hosted the latest induction into its Wall of Fame at the Slover Library in Norfolk. This ceremony was followed two days later by a second ceremony at the Clarence Cuffee Center, in Chesapeake.

Over the past nine months, the New Journal and Guide Newspaper has reported on the work of the HRBAA. In addition to preserving the legacy of Black Radio in the Hampton Roads area, it is also promoting the 21st century Podcast independent radio shows and Hampton Roads entertainers and communicators.

The organization was formed to ensure that the living legends in Hampton Roads who started out in radio back in 1947, such as The Late Daddy Jack Holmes and The Late Leola Dyson are recognized and acknowledged. For 70 years, Blacks in Hampton Roads have had their voice on Radio. From Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News their voices were heard.

On August 22, the Founders, Dr. Phil Nelson and Dr. Glenda Murray-Kelly, inducted the youngest mayor in the state of Virginia, Mayor Phillip Jones, as an HRBRAA Wall of Famer. Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander was inducted into the HRBRAA Wall of Fame on April 4, 2024 at the Richard Tucker Memorial Library, in Norfolk.

The movement in radio started with WRAP with a Black format of music and entertainment. In 1974, the Late Bishop L.E. Willis, Sr. put a mark in history when he acquired several Black Radio stations in the City of Norfolk. There have been so many outstanding individuals within the industry.

On August 24, 2024, at the Clarence Cuffee Center, in Chesapeake, the organization presented the educational component of the business. With a processional of over 45 adults and 12 youth clothed in their graduation attire, Dr. Phil Nelson, led the group in. They included Rev. Dr. Glenda P. Murray-Kelly, Dr. Brennette Holmes, Dr., Brynda McNair Parker, Dr. April Ridley-Cutts, Hugo A. Owens, Jr., and Former Mayor Wynne of the City of Chesapeake who was the first to greet the audience. He presented the Clarence Cuffee Center with the ground-breaking shovel that was used back in 2007. Hugo A. Owens ,Jr. greeted the audience with his father’s signature poem “A Moment.”

The Connectional Ministries and Mission 2000 and G Paris Media Group were able to certify over 50 individuals for their community service with the Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Awards. Fifteen youth received the Public Broadcasting and Public Service Awards. Two were bestowed the Honorary doctorate degrees and 10 received the HRBRAA Founders Award 2024.

The group is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Awards in mid-September. They are gearing up to be a part of the Norfolk State University Homecoming parade on Saturday, October 26, 2024. The group will be in support of Senator L. Louise Lucas as the Grand Marshall for 2024.

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Senator Lucas, who will receive her HRBRAA Gold Jacket, was inducted into the HRBRAA Wall of Fame 2024 on August 4, 2024.