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Paul Allen ("P.A.") Billings

Paul Allen Billings (born July 8) is an Radio Personality/Host, Entrepreneur, Promoter, Mentor, Philanthropist, Social Justice Advocate, World Traveler, and also the founder of West Michigan Community Help Network, Imara Entertainment, Bestblacknews.com, Umoja Radio App.

Early Life

Billings was born on July 8, 1967, in Muskegon, Michigan, and is the son of Charles Jack and Bernice Mayes. His upbringing was heavily influenced by his God Father William Wright and Step Father Aaron Mayes. Billings graduated from Muskegon Heights Public School. He went on to study Psychology at Muskegon Community College and Sociology at Washtenaw Community College in Michigan. In 1989 he decided to join the Army Reserve taking a military from the Department of Correction. Throughout his career Billings was very active in the Union where he rose to the rank of Vice President & Chief Steward. After his stint in the Army he went on to become a Correctional Officer. He joined the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, MI, then became a Resident Unit Officer at Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility. Finally, he worked as a Correction Officer at the Muskegon Temp Facility. For thirteen years (1987 - 2000), Billings was a Correction Officer. Though he loved and appreciated his job, there was something missing. He had a passion for music, media, and community outreach.

The Underground Video/Smoove Grooves

In 1992, At the age of 25, Billings created The Underground Video Show/Smoove Grooves along with the late Tina Raqib. As the creator and executive producer, Underground Video Show became the largest independent video show in the country during its duration. His platform was dedicated to showcasing some of the brightest talents in Hip Hop and R&B music. With videos and memorial interviews, Underground Video Show and Smoove Grooves gave up-and coming and #1 artists and group another platform to showcase their talents and connect with the fans. Throughout its run, the show featured guests such as the late Notorious B.I.G, Craig Mack, and Aaliyah, TLC, and a host of musical icons.

West Michigan Community Help Network Foundation (WMCHN)

Billings has made it his mission to help people in need. He established the West Michigan Community Help Network, a 501(c)3 in June of 2000. The purpose of his non-profit organization is to bridge the community together by offering a variety of programs that serve community members of every age and background. This mission is to educate, inform, and empower the community about issues that affect their well-being, using all available resources. He wanted to help his community see itself as a positive force for good. Billings credits the impact of the Oct. 16, 1995, Million Man March as a source of inspiration for his organization. WMCHN has coordinated numerous community events such as food drives, job fairs, health fairs, outreach programs, festivals and concerts, and mentorship programs.

Radio Career

WUVS 103.7 the Beat

On November 15, 2001 the West Michigan Community Help Network was given the green light to operate a new urban, educational station for the Muskegon, Michigan area. “Radio has an immediate impact,” said Billings. “We’ve given people voices, and thousands of people in the Muskegon-area have been interviewed on our shows. We’ve shared their stories and helped share their platforms.” The station's goals are to educate the community about issues that affect them while opening dialogue between the community and businesses. WUVS started testing its signal on February 21, 2002 and continues to be the voice of the community. The Beat is an urban radio station that features R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Jazz, and Neo Soul music. WHPB 98.5 The Wire

On October 28, 2016 a new radio station hit the airwaves in the Pine Hills area in Orlando, Florida. WHPB 98.5 The Wire is a nonprofit Low Power FM radio station serving the urban community 24/7, playing Hip Hop and R&B music. The station helped fill the much needed void of local and national information relevant to the community. The Wire streams live online at TheWire985.com. This full service community station combines Music & Talk, with a commitment to serve the community. It also offers a mentorship program in media and entertainment to local residents.

M106-FM

M106 is another radio station under the West Michigan Community Help Network (WMCHN) Umbrella. With Motown sound and EDM music on the weekend, this radio station allows WMCHN to expand its reach and broaden its educational efforts in meaningful ways that provide relevant, timely and credible local information to underserved Muskegon listeners. WMCHN has also developed collaborative relationships with Muskegon Public Schools.

Other Media Ventures

Best Black News

Billings, who is no stranger to media, is the founder of Bestblacknews.com. There is more than just crime in the black community. Best Black News gives a balance of Good and Bad news from the Urban Community. It is positive news by and for Black America. Imara Entertainment

Founder of Imara Entertainment, Billings created a platform for young aspiring musical artists. Imara Entertainment, The Record Label for the Youth, goal is to promote artists with an empowering message! Umoja Radio App

Billings is the founder of Umoja Radio App, a platform representing the latest chapter of excellence in Black media. Unlike other media apps, the development of Umoja embodies African liberation from the limitation of traditional media, traditional media platforms, and traditional gatekeepers. Umoja stands for “unity.” The platform strives to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and the human race. Umoja Radio App features over 45+ independent black owned community based radio stations. This unique approach has been designed to meet significant public demand for an urban outlet with engaging, educational, entertaining content. Users can download Umoja Radio App in Google Play, the App Store, or visit umojaradioapp.com today

WUVS 103.7 Presents

Billings in collaboration with his radio station WUVS 103.7 launched an interactive music video show on Michigan Statewide Comcast Network. The show features music videos along with interviews with local influencers, dignitaries, and national celebrities. Each show includes interactive conversation, viewer engagement, music, and topics. It also provides a wide variety of interests from pop culture to activism, politics, business and money management, lifestyle, education, and personal development, among other coverage with local and national guests and experts. WUVS 103.7 Presents airs in all major cities in the state of Michigan including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo & Muskegon reaching nearly 1 million households.

Personal Life

Billings is a devoted Christian who has attributed his success to his faith in God. He has two daughters, Victoria Billings and Monica Bester. In recent years, Billings has traveled extensively. He has an affinity for the continent of Africa and has developed close ties to Ghana, West Africa, and was recently made a Village Chief. His favorite vacation spots are Dubai, Hong Kong, Cape Town, and South Africa. His motto is, “If a journey of a thousand miles must begin… it must begin with that first step!”

Philanthropy Billings has made it his mission to help people both nationally and internationally. Through West Michigan Community Help Network, he has helped coordinate food drives, job fairs, health fairs, election forums, peace festivals, and several community events and outreach programs. His overseas efforts began years ago by coordinating several drives to bring clothing, school supplies, and educational materials to the people of Ghana in West Africa. He also started the I.A.M.H.E.R. (Influencing Achievement and Maximizing Hope, Excellence, and Resilience) Feminine Hygiene Drive. This program supports young ladies from the Abeadeze Kyeakor village in Ghana, Africa in need of everyday essentials and feminine hygiene products. More than 10,000 sanitation items have been. Each year High School students are selected to embark on a once in a lifetime all expenses paid trip to Ghana, West Africa through his Kids Free Trip to Africa Program. Students have the opportunity to explore African culture and interact with members of the villages. He provides free bus trips to the Charles Wright Museum in Detroit and helped start the Men of Color Read. This program brings African American men into local elementary school classrooms to read to students while encouraging them to read. Most recently he opened a library in Ghana, Africa providing community members with more educational opportunities. Billings have been blessed over the years and believes in paying it forward.

Awards

Billings has been recognized Nationally and internationally for his work with the Youth. Most recently he received the Citizenship of the Year Award for the City of Muskegon, Michigan, and The Living Legend Award from the Young Black Professionals.

References

External Links

http://www.1037thebeat.com/

http://www.thewire985.com/

http://www.m106fm.com/

http://www.bestblacknews.com/

http://www.twitter.com/1037thebeat