Early Years In Radio
Known as the “Hardest Working Man In Radio”, Tom Joyner has made an impacting career in the radio business for nearly two decades. The Tuskegee native attended the Tuskegee Institute where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Beyond college, he began reading the daily news at WRMA in Montgomery. He then went to broadcast on various radio stations in Memphis, St. Louis, and Dallas. In Chicago he worked at radio stations, WJPC, WVON and WBMX, before making it big at the city’s largest, WGCI.
The Big Break
In 1985, Joyner made his big break when he was offered to broadcast two shows on separate stations. He accepted the offer and begun doing one morning show at KKDA in Dallas and an evening show at WGCI in Chicago. The daily two cities commute led to critically acclaimed ratings and granted him the reputation of being the “Hardest Working Man In Radio” and “The Fly Jock”.
He has been awarded several awards for his widely known talented disc jockey performances, which in 1998, was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Impact Magazine eventually named an award in his honor, “The Tom Joyner Award”, which every year congratulates African-American DJs who have expressed immense talent in syndicated radio.
The Tom Joyner Morning Show
In January 1994, Joyner became owner of his syndicated radio series, “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” with crew, Myra J, Miss Dupree, J. Anthony Brown, Sybil Wilkes, and noted political commentator and talk show host, Tavis Smiley. The show offers a mix of music, comedy, and discussions on social and political issues. Over the years, guests have ranged from R&B; crooner Babyface to former President Bill Clinton. It is one of the most highly rated African-American radio broadcast shows aired in more than 120 markets across America. In 2005, the show was eventually expanded to syndicated television, which offers the same range of topics, including a live musical guest spot and guest speaker.
A special live coverage was recently held from New Orleans in late August to mark the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Guests included residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. All recollected on the tragedy and loss, starting a new life in another city, and plans in preparing for the future.
Television and Film
Joyner has also done work in television with guest appearances on several shows, including the comedy series, Living Single and Eve. He played a role in the 2003 television movie, The Jacksons: America’s First Family of Music. His big break didn’t come until 2005 when he starred in the African-American drama musical, The Gospel.
The Tom Joyner Foundation
In 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation was launched for students attending historical black colleges and universities. The foundation has raised more than $30 million, while helping 80 colleges and thousands of students earn a degree and have a promising future beyond. Last year, a million dollars was set up for students who were displaced from New Orleans’ historical black colleges by Hurricane Katrina. Each student was funded $1,000 each.
The Life
Joyner is the author of the autobiography, I’m Just A DJ but…It Makes Sense To Me, which chronicles his childhood, in which he recalls life growing up in the segregated South, and early days on the radio. In the book, he discusses his thoughts on historical black colleges and universities, the importance of solid work ethic, the power of the black consumer, personal responsibility, and fatherhood. He is married to fitness guru Donna Richardson and has two sons.
