Tag: domestic violence

Baltimore Raven's Wide Receiver, Dez Bryant did not mince his words when it came to the Chad Wheeler domestic abuse situation. After Chad Wheeler...

NBA Ben Simmons is recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies in the knee. He is out for the remainder of the season The Phoenix Suns...

"Radio is not about winging it. You truly have to have a personality. You truly have to know HOW to connect."

We have noticed something that is greatly lacking in the few surviving and relevant industry trades: Spotlights. Radio Facts would like to lead the way by introducing you to some of the industry's stars. We will be featuring various fresh-faced talent from this point on. Please meet Toshamakia Acevedo. How long have you been in radio? Wow! Well, radio was kind of an accident. But I’m sure God will say it was on purpose. I’ve been in radio since 2002 What’s your history? When I was in high school I just knew I was going to be a registered nurse. I knew at some point that I would be delivering babies and taking care of other people to make them feel better about themselves. Somewhere in my life, God decided something different. I begin singing and had an amazing single with my team at the time. We toured, learned and it allowed me to get away from the reality of domestic violence in my life at that time. What station and city do you work at/in? Currently, in Greensboro on 102 JAMZ with the Afternoon Take Over from 3 PM to 7 PM and I’m also in Denver Colorado. I'm on Middays and I love it! I’m on KS107.5 from 10 AM to 3 PM Explain your name and what it means? My mother says that my name means child of God. But I think that’s her personal definition LOL. I have 26 letters in my entire name. So one day I said to my mom if you didn’t name me Toshamakia, what would you have named me and she said, Consuelo. I thought never mind she obviously was going for something unique. My Mother’s said I was something special that’s why she named me Toshamakia. It took me years as a child to be proud of my name because I was teased as a kid but as I got older I embrace it because my mom chose it and wanted me to be different. Something I didn’t see until I got older and now I love my name What artist do you most admire right now and why? I dig Russ. I say, Russ, because unlike other artists he isn’t talking about the same thing that other people are talking about. He's an open book, honest and open with his fans.  He not only allows them to listen to his great music, he teaches them how he makes the music and that’s the difference between him and many artists. He also shares his past and he doesn’t back down from it. It’s almost like he sharing his struggles so that his fans don’t have to go through it. And I admire that about him. He genuinely cares about his fans. I love how his mom is everywhere he goes and how he shares his experiences humbly. He isn’t just an artist he does it all. Longevity. I also admire Kehlani. She has such an amazing story coming from such a difficult childhood to where she is now and she's not letting opinions, social media or others break her down. If she ever took the time to tell her story she would help a lot of people. Those are the two artist that I admire at this moment Tell me your most awkward experience as a pro broadcaster. Wow, there are so many. Lol. I remember being on air and the station just had thee most beautiful makeover. One of the engineers helping with our boards somehow knocked us off air for almost five mins on a Midday shift. Through the confusion and sweat (lol) I delivered and executed like nothing was wrong for the entire time with all I prepped for and it was amazing. What was your best? I've had lots of great moments in radio with artsy and celebs but nothing is more important than the community. Being a friend, and connecting with my listeners is the best feeling. It can be a coat drive or serving food to those who are going through a rough patch. When you forget they remember and it’s the most beautiful rewarding feeling ever! What does it take to be a great radio Radio DJ today? That is a great question. When I first got into radio I thought I was hired just because I was able to wing it. No, no, no. Radio is not about winging it. You truly have to have a personality. You truly have to know HOW to connect. It’s deep. It’s about being prepared, thinking ahead, being able to engage your listeners, learning to allow your listeners to connect with you not on it ego level but on you and I are the same level. Like we are one we are friends, we are family. What will your title be in 5 years? Five years I pray to be a program director running an amazing strong station full of talented people. While building on-air talent like I do now. I love radio so much and I love being on air. Someday, I would just like to build radio superstars for our future. Teach them a lot of the secrets that I was taught and the ones that I had to learn on my own, which honestly were a lot and I’m so thankful. Is radio dying?  No, I do not believe that radio is dying. It’s free. It’s there for you no matter if you’re rich or poor. If you’re happy or sad. You can always turn it on and choose to listen to whom you would like. To feel inspired, to connect with or just to hear your favorite songs for free. I believe we need a lot more positivity on air regardless of what the music says. On-air personalities are not the music that’s just our generation but while we are playing their favorite songs we can still inspire and have an amazing fun time with them and get them through their day Do you think more like a Millennial, Gen Xer or a Boomer? I couldn’t give myself a title. I’m like a chameleon I mesh very well with everything. I listen to everything from hip-hop, to R&B, country, rock, to house music, jazz, to salsa. My ears are open they spot true talent and truly love and appreciate all music. Who are some of the greatest people in radio today? A few women that I admire... I’ll name four. I’d say Lady B, Lisa Evers, Angie Martinez & Jenny Boom Boom. What makes you different from other radio Radio DJs? I’m not a shock Radio DJ. I speak from my heart and I’m what I believe in. I’m in a different space. When I first started in radio I really just enjoyed the moments. The learning process. I was a recording artist so radio was new to me and it was tons of fun but I was always nervous. Even still, radio had my undivided attention. Once I started to learn the craft, I enjoyed the club scene hosting and making great money that way. From there I went on to have my own night show in Philadelphia and have a full-time position for the first time ever while doing Sirius XM, I was trying to find myself. So here I was being this party girl and thought because I was the party girl I had to be sexy & edgy.  But I later realized that wasn’t who I was. It took my arrival in Greensboro North Carolina as that morning show girl to finally be let go and have no job and not know how I was going to pay my bills or supply food for my family that truly humbled me. At the same time, I lost over 120 pounds. So mentally I became stronger, better and more positive and I was able to hear God speak to me. I’m completely different now and I’m not a shock Radio DJ. I love to share my life on the radio. I want you to understand that you may be going through some deep and dark with struggles whether it’s not being able to pay your bills, losing your car, getting evicted, not having lights on, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, being molested, or being bullied. Listen I’ve been there! I want to show others that you are not your pain. So the person I am on the radio is who I am my personal life and off the air. I love to laugh inspire and motivate others. It makes my heart beat. It’s what’s needed in the world especially today. It’s what I needed when I was in my dark place so now I want to give that to others.

Radio Facts: Gospel singer James Fortune made an appearance on the Willie Moore Jr.

Multiple Grammy-winning vocalist, humanitarian, educator and visual artist Chaka Khan is inviting fans to submit a video clip of themselves for her new single, "I Love Myself," which will debut February 19th via MondoTunes/iKhan Records/LLC.

Radio Facts: The Allstate Fan Fest is back for its 10th year to once again serve as the backdrop for pre-game events and celebrations leading up to the 2016 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®. As college football fans descend on New Orleans to see Oklahoma State and Ole Miss face-off, the Crescent City will come alive with a mix of interactive activities, highlighted by a performance from multi-platinum artist, Usher. Allstate is kicking off the two-day event with its #UsherLiveAllstate, giving fans access to exclusive experiences featuring the R&B legend. Starting today, fans can post to Twitter using #UsherLiveAllstate for the chance to receive a personalized video message from Usher ahead of the 2016 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®. The #UsherLiveAllstate will culminate in the heart of the French Quarter at the Allstate® Fan Fest, free and open to the public, featuring Usher live in concert on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 30. The concert will be live streamed for fans at home and around the world on TIDAL's global entertainment platform. This year's Allstate® Fan Fest features football-themed activities, including an opportunity to kick a field goal into the iconic Allstate "Good Hands®" Field Goal Net, as well as high-energy pep rallies featuring marching bands, mascots and cheerleaders from the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Ole Miss Rebels. In addition, the Allstate Combine will give fans an opportunity to participate in football-related drills leading up to the big game. In addition to celebrating the events that take place on the field, Allstate will help shine a spotlight on the good deeds that take place off the field. Members of the 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, one of the most prestigious community service awards in college sports, are recognized during halftime of the 2016 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®. For the eighth year, Allstate and members of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will give back to the local community by hosting a special football clinic for the YMCA of Greater New Orleans alongside football legend Marshall Faulk. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse will return to the Allstate® Fan Fest to raise awareness and funds for more than 160 domestic violence organizations across the country. New this year, The Allstate Foundation will donate items to a silent auction run by the National Network to End Domestic Violence. The silent auction will include items such as an Usher meet-and-greet and a variety of signed merchandise. Attendees are encouraged to make a $10 donation to the National Network to End Domestic Violence at the giant purses at each Allstate® Fan Fest entrance or bid on a silent auction item. The Allstate Foundation will match all donations made on-site dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. Highlights for this year's Allstate® Fan Fest include: Wednesday, Dec. 30 Usher Concert – 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 Oklahoma State Pep Rally – 1:30 p.m. New Year's Eve Parade – 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Ole Miss Pep Rally – 5:15 p.m. The Allstate® Fan Fest is free to the public and open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. Fan Fest is located at Jackson Square in the Jax Brewery parking lot off Decatur Street. Allstate will celebrate its tenth year as the title sponsor of the Allstate® Sugar Bowl® held in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 1, 2016. The game will be broadcast on espn at 7:30 p.m. CST. About Allstate®

GRAMMY award-winning artist Chris Brown launched his Symphonic Love Foundation with a visual, musical and performing arts festival today at the Lafayette Recreation Center...