User:Pete Rhodes III/sandbox

Pete Rhodes III (born March 31 1964) is a producer and distributor of cultural specific programming and communications for multiple media platforms. He is the founder of the Urban Mass Media Group. A Minnesota based Multimedia Company. He is the founder of the BMA Cable Channel, a urban program network encompassing video and audio content, Black Music America.Com online site and the annual Minnesota Black Music Awards.

Early Life Rhodes III was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is a graduate of Central YMCA High school and attended Kennedy-King College majoring in business management and administration. He moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979.

Career Soul Train creator Don Cornelius influence Pete to focus on event production. In 1980 Pete began his career as a promoter of cultural social events with the establishment of BOSS Productions (Businessmen Of Social Standing) He then contracted to present Wednesday Nights at The Oz Nightclub in St.Paul, Minnesota. He successfully hosted the produced the weekly program mixing live music, dee-jays and themed events until 1981. Many of Minnesota emerging music artist worked, performed and attended BOSS production Wednesday Nights at the Oz Nightclub. Reoccurring music artist to perform where Morris Day and the Enterprise Band. Spinning music for the event on occasions was Producer Jimmy Jam Harris and a frequent guest was the artist Prince. In 1982 he created the Minnesota Black Music Awards with his business partner Kimberly Bedell to promote, preserve and recognize Minnesota's growing Black musicians and artist. The annual MBMA program recognized African American artist in R&B, Rap, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Reggae and Classical genres. MBMA awarded over 500 awards from 1982-1999. Performers and awardees included Prince, The Time, Alexander O'Neal, Mint Condition, Sounds of Blackness, jazz legend Jack McDuff, The Gyrls. After a ten year hiatus the MBMA program returned in 2010. His mission has been to provide diversity in programming content to reach urban markets. In 1984 is founded CBLS cable radio station a 24 hour commercial music channel. In 1995 he expanded the channel and renamed to Black Music America Networks now a digital cable channel and the launch the popular web site, www.BlackMusicAmerica.com. BMA Cable Networks is Minnesota’s only 24 hour African American owned cable-programming channel. The service broadcasts on Channel 937 to over 500,000 cable subscribers via Comcast/Xfinity cable systems in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

Black Music America Cable Networks In 1984 is founded CBLS cable radio station a 24 hour commercial music channel. In 1995 he expanded the channel and renamed to Black Music America Networks now a digital cable channel and the launch the popular web site, www.BlackMusicAmerica.com. BMA Cable Networks is Minnesota’s only 24 hour African American owned cable-programming channel. The service broadcasts on Channel 937 to over 500,000 cable subscribers via Comcast/Xfinity cable systems in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

Urban Perspectives Show In 2014, debuted Urban Perspectives program a weekly community affairs show hosted by Pete Rhodes III. Urban Perspectives is currently the number #1 community affairs program highlighting urban communities. The program airs on CBS Minneapolis affiliate WCCO-TV Channel 4. Urban Perspectives is designed to spotlight people, programs and issues important to the diverse audiences of the Twin Cities. In 2015 Pete Rhodes received a Midwest Emmy Nomination for host.

Personal Pete and business partner Kimberly Bedell married in 1988 He has served as a Minneapolis Arts and Charter Commissioner. He is a member of the Monitors Club a 60 year old African American Men's social/civic.