Draft:Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers Assocation

The Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers Association (HRBRAA) was established in June 2023 by Founders Dr. Phil N. Nelson, aka Mr. FM of the original Quiet Storm Radio show in Norfolk, VA and Washington, DC. Dr. Nelson is the CEO of Nelson Media & Investment Group. He worked in Radio for over four decades while dedicating his time with his family. He is the father of two sons and a grandson Prince. During his early days in broadcast, people mistaken him to be the legendary artist "Prince." He recalls during his earlier years that the artist was expected to come in town. He was working at the mall and went out to get lunch. All of a sudden, a group of people thinking that he was Prince. He had to run so fast until he got to the store and the manager immediately let the security fence down to block the people from getting to him. Phil Nelson understood what it felt like to be a celebrity look at look. As a Radio Jock, he mirrored his voice style like Barry White. As time passed, he always wanted to come back to his home time to give tribute to his colleagues. However, time had passed. It was an act from God when he was able to be reacquainted with Rev. Dr. Glenda P. Murray Kelly, aka G Paris a national freelance journalist, CEO of CMM 2K and G Paris Media Group. Together they collaborated to start the HRBRAA.

On April 20, 2023, they met up in Atlantic City for the 1st National R&B Society Walk of Fame, hosted by Vannessa Jordan, President to experience the first Atlantic City Walk of Fame Ceremony. The ceremony gave tribute the James Brown, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Glover Washington and the Delfonics. It was exciting to see the Radio Jocks of Atlantic City, Philadelphia and Atlantic City come together to give tribute to the individuals who they had played their songs. Immediately, when the two returned to Hampton Roads they started working on a project to bring the Hampton Roads Radio Announcers together. Plans were being made to honor the community of people with the Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Awards.

During the beginning of Black Radio which started around 1947 in the Hampton Roads are by John and O'Wayne Rollins who purchased a radio station for all Negro Radio Jocks. They included an all-Negro radio play list and that's when the mission began. Daddy Jack Holmes was the first Black male radio Jock and Leola Dyson was the first female radio Jock in the then Tidewater area. With little experience in broadcast but lots of experience in sales and marketing these two individuals paved the way for others to enter into radio. The Late Bishop L.E. Willis, Sr. purchased the first Black owned radio station in Norfolk, VA in 1974. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Black Radio, was the establishment of the HRBRAA.

Dr. Nelson and Dr. Kelly started to explore the options that they had to make the dream become a reality. In December 2023, they hosted the first Pinning Ceremony for the legends of Radio at the Meyera Oberndoft Auditorium, Virginia Beach, VA with a financial contribution from Virginia State Senator L. Louise Lucas. The founders hosted the event in December 2023 to avoid any confusion as to being politically inspired. The 2023 election was being held in November 2023 and they didn't want it to appear to be unethical. Over 100 people were in attendance to see the Radio Jocks and the community receive the Presidential Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Joe Biden. Over 20 pins were provided to the former Radio Jocks who had over 40-50 years of Broadcasting service.

In February 2024, the team came together to honor more Radio Jocks and to present the HAMPTON ROADS BLACK ANNOUNCERS video which was produced with over 100 pictures of Radio Jocks from the early 50's to current. Radio Jocks they were included were: Phil Nelson, Jay Lang, Chester Benton, HJ Ellison, Frankie Stewart, Soul Rangers, Maurice Ward, Glen Francis, Clarence Nealy, Willie Brown, Tonya Riddick, Ed Joyner, Terry Tabb, Rev. Dr. Ronnie Joyners, Sr. New Journal and Guide Newspaper Chief Reporter, Leonard Colvin, Ernest Lowery to name a few.

In Apri 2024, the group hosted the first Wall of Fame celebration. Fourteen radio Jocks were inducted and provided a certificate and Gold Jackets. The Mayor of the City of Norfolk, VA was inducted into the nearly created Hampton Roads Black Radio Announcers Wall of Fame, Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander was very excited that he was able to be inducted into the Wall of Fame at the nearest library in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, Richard Tucker Memorial Library.