Black Arts and Culture
HRBRAA Gears Up For Its Second Radio Legends Wall of Fame Induction
Special to the Guide
The Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers (HRBRAA) established by Dr. Phil N. Nelson, former radio host of the Quiet Storm, and Rev. Dr. Glenda P. Murray Kelly of G Paris Media Group and CMM 2K, have been working hard since June 2023.
The New Journal and Guide has reported on two events which were hosted in December 2023 and February 2024. However, the most important event to bring honor to the legends of Hampton Roads Radio Announcers was the April 20, 2024, induction. That is when honorees unbeknownst to them received “Gold Jackets” on the order of the NFL Hall of Famers.
HRBRAA is a newly accepted organization to the National Black Radio Hall of Fame, Virginia Chapter. While the history of Black Radio dates back to the late 20s with Jack Cooper out of Chicago., the Hampton Roads/Tidewater area didn’t start having Black Radio Jocks until the mid 40s. The HRBRAA Committee knew it had play catch up in 2024 to motivate those jocks who had worked so hard. Therefore, the HRBRAA Wall of Fame and the Scroll of Fame were founded.
The inaugural event was hosted at the Richard Tucker Memorial Library in Norfolk, VA. The facility could only hold the maximum of 50 attendees. Yet, the beauty of it all was that over 40 individuals were wearing HRBRAA T-Shirts. During the event 20 Radio Jocks were inducted into the 1st HRBRAA Wall of Fame.
The room was set up like a production studio. HRBRAA had the starving artist corner; The Cooking with Dr. Phil Show; The Old School music tributes; The DJ corner; and the “Pass the Mic Plz” session with Radio Jocks telling their stories.
The full staff included a stage manager, production manager, mistress of ceremonies, a director, a director of food services, hostess, engineers, a videographer and two photographers.
The HRBRAA dream was coming true. As the Radio Jocks stood outside of the Richard Tucker facility, they took photos with the statue of the great Norfolk educator, Dr. Richard Tucker. In the hallway showcases of the facility were books of African-American authors. The Radio Jocks stood patiently in the entrance waiting for the first African-American Mayor of the City of Norfolk, Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander, to arrive. All were excited, not knowing at that time that they would leave the facility with their “Gold Jackets” as NFL Hall of Famers are given.
“I can recall the day that my fellow elementary schoolmate, Kenny Easley was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame,” said Rev. Murray-Kelly. “It took him 25 years to be accepted under the veteran’s rule. Therefore, the Gold Jackets represented Kenny, our Chesapeake ICON, and what he went through to be inducted in 2017.”
The celebration continues in August 2024. HRBRAA is planning a Wall and Scroll of Fame ceremony where the 2024 Exhibit for National Radio Day will be displayed. The Exhibit will be showcased for the entire month of August 2024.
“We have come a long ways since we started, and we are not turning back,” said Dr. Phil Nelson, HRBRAA Chairman/President. “We are grateful for Ms. Brenda Andrews, Leonard Colvin, Ernest Lowery, Senator L. Louise Lucas, Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander and over 400 Black Radio Jocks who have worked the airwaves of Hampton Roads.”
In April, Dr. Nelson was inducted into the Hall of Fame by HRBRAA Co-Founder, Rev. Dr. Murray-Kelly, and Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander was inducted by Dr. Nelson. After all of the inductions were finished, the group of Gold Jacket Wall of Famers were photographed. Dr. Alexander expressed excitement that he was included in the occasion.
By mid-July, HRBRAA plans to provide more details to the community at large about the August event. However. The committee anticipates that 27 more individuals will be inducted this summer.
