Urban Media Today News Update

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Tom Joyner Announces Retirement — But Rumors About Him Being Forced Out of the Company Are Not True!

Dallas, TX — Tom Joyner, founder and host of the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show says that he will soon be retiring in 2019. His long-time co-host, Sybil Wilkes, will also be signing off for good.

The show has long been the most popular radio show for African Americans with more than 8 million listeners every morning in more than 100 markets. Joyner, who is now 67-years old, launched the show more than 25 years ago back in 1994 after hosting a morning program in Dallas and an afternoon radio show in Chicago for 8 years.The Daily Mail Online, however, has falsely reported that Joyner is being forced into early retirement next year by his company, REACH Media, and owners and distributors of the syndicated show.

This matter was cleared up in a statement from Melody Talkington, the company’s vice president.

Her statement reads: “Any stories that suggest major changes to the Tom Joyner Morning Show are inaccurate. Tom Joyner is under contract with REACH Media until the end of 2017. We expect that REACH will continue to syndicate Tom’s show beyond that date and for as long as he would like to be on the air. There has always been refinements and updates to the show as well as market changes due to local conditions, and there may be some in the future, but Tom Joyner and the Tom Joyner Morning show continues to be strong and is a daily Party with a Purpose. REACH is committed to Tom Joyner for the long term who remains committed to radio, his audience and the future.”

Via his foundation, Joyner has been known for his massive support to the Black community. He has raised more than $65 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars in full tuition scholarships.

In addition, for years he has hosted an annual star-studded family reunion at his home for Black celebrities and influentials. He also hosts an annual celebrity cruise called the Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage.

For more details about Tom Joyner and his company, REACH media, visit www.ReachMediainc.com

United Negro College Fund/ Michael Jackson Scholarship

Michael Jackson Scholarship

The Michael Jackson scholarship provides financial assistance to communication arts and social science students attending a UNCF college/university during the current academic year.

Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship will provide an award up to $5,000 depending on the financial need of the student as verified by the attending University or College. MORE

Black Filmmaker, Shirah Dedman, Produces New Documentary Exposing the Truth About Gentrification

Oakland, CA — A new documentary exploring displacement of African-Americans out of major U.S. cities will release on YouTube on October 25, 2017. YOU A NOMAD is a short film set in Oakland, California, where in the past generation almost 40 percent of the Black population has been displaced. The film uses a unique cross-section of African-American voices to unfold the systemic issues underlying the rapid gentrification Oakland is now facing.

As a Los Angeles native, filmmaker Shirah Dedman witnessed gentrification take hold in her own hometown. However, after moving to Oakland, she saw it in a whole new light. “I’ve always thought of Oakland as a black city. After seeing the effects of gentrification, I couldn’t help but ask: What happened to the Black people in Oakland? And this question is what I sought to find out,” Dedman said.After showing YOU A NOMAD to a packed crowd at Merritt College, Dedman decided to release the film on YouTube to reach a wide audience to educate more people on the systematic depopulation of African-Americans out of cities nationwide. “If I can help people see white techies as a symptom of the overarching problem rather than as the cause, then we can start discussing real solutions.”

For more information, visit www.youanomad.com

Black PR Press Release