Community Call for Return of KBLX Staff After Purchase by Entercom

Community Call for Return of KBLX Staff After Purchase by Entercom

From the offices of Darla Nealy and Shelly Tatum information about the firing of key KBLX staff unfolds. Concern has been expressed that the elimination of key staff after the purchase of KBLX by Entercom will result in a lack of localism and community service. Steve Harvey's tape-delayed syndicated show replaces "Your Cousin Kevin Brown."  Contact: savekblx@gmail.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KEVIN BROWN FIRED FROM KBLX!!!!

 

April 30, 2012 - San Francisco, CA - After 22 years of faithful service at KBLX Radio Station, program director and on-air personality, your "Cousin" Kevin Brown has been fired.  KBLX as we know it exists no more.  The new owners, Entercom Communications Corp, announced on Friday, April 27^th they have replaced "Cousin Kevin" with the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show. The Steve Harvey show is tape delayed and broadcast from the east coast.  It's generic content will not speak directly to the Bay area Community as Kevin Brown did every morning. 

 

Beginning May 7, there will be no more listener interaction in the morning-- the personal contact is gone! Your favorite segments, "Over and Under 30" are gone!"Hollywood Minute" - GONE! "Strange but True" - GONE!  The Bay Area deserves a morning show produced here at home with the familiar voice of our community.  WE WANT KEVIN BROWN BACK!

 

Prior to this shocking announcement, Entercom Communications Corp said they would not change the station's format.  In a statement issued by Entercom on April 2, 2012, CEO David J. Field stated, "KBLX ......has a long history of producing distinctive and compelling programming ...."  Further, in the April 27^th press release issued (the same date that Kevin Brown was fired), Entercom's San Francisco Vice President and Market Manager, Dwight Walker said, "KBLX has done a magnificent job of servicing the local community".  With all of this said, their word means nothing.  Before the ink was dry on the sales agreement they not only fired Kevin Brown (the heart of the station) they also fired longtime General Manager Harvey Stone and longtime Vice President Barry Rose. These people made KBLX what it is today.  We strongly urge that they be rehired immediately. 

 

These unwarranted firing decisions clearly demonstrate that Entercom has a complete disconnect with our Bay area community; they are a corporation that is out of touch with the mass audience that KBLX serves.

 

KBLX is an essential, relevant and vibrant community-based, Urban Adult radio station that services minority businesses, informs the community, and plays music that speaks and represents the diverse Urban Adult community of the Bay Area.  Big corporations have run through the Bay Area and turned OUR stations into cookie cutter styled stations, duplicated across the country. These generic types of radio stations do not speak directly to the markets they service.  Now, our long standing, lone soldier, KBLX is on its way to becoming another casualty. 

 

It is important that KBLX continues its commitment to the Adult Urban Community and maintain the format and programming that speaks to us directly. 

 

With your help we can ensure that KBLX remains OUR radio station.  Remember, the PUBLIC owns the airways. ACT NOW. We have POWER when we are UNITED.  PleaseTAKE ACTION and call Entercom Communications at 415.546.5600.  You may also email Entercom executives Dwight Walker at DWalker@Entercom.com and Deborah Kane at DKane@Entercom.com .  Further, you should also contact the Entercom President and CEO David Field at 610.660.5600. 

 

It is URGENT that you let Entercom Communications, Corp know how important "Your Cousin" Kevin Brown is to KBLX and the Bay Area Community. 

 

YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!! .... LET IT BE HEARD!!!

 

 

Additionally please contact your United States Representatives:

 

Senator Barbara Boxer

Local Office: 510.286.8537 or DC Office: 202.224.3553

email:  http://www.boxer.senate.gov/en/contact/policycomments.cfm     

 

Senator Diane Feinstein

Local Office: 415.393.0707 or DC Office: 202.224.3841

https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me

 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee - 9^th District    

Local Office: 510.763.0370 or DC Office: 202.225.2661

email: https://leeforms.house.gov/legislation-comment-form1

 

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi - 8^th District  

Local Office: 415.556.4862 or DC Office: 202.225.4965

email: https://pelosi.house.gov/contact/email-me.shtml

 

Congressman Pete Stark - 15^th District

Local Office: 510.494.1388 or DC Office: 202.225.5065

https://forms.house.gov/stark/webforms/contact.htm

Western Province Council Public Meeting

The Western Province

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.

Public Meeting

Friday, April 13, 2012

The Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel

Oakland, CA

Samuel B. Knight, MBA

Polemarch
PUBLIC MEETING

Friday April 13, 2012

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

“Training for Second Century Leadership-Brighter Tomorrows Begin Today”

Prelude                                                                  Tamika Nicole

                                                                              Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Call to Order                                                          Terry L. Allen

                                                                              Jr. Province Vice Polemarch

Posting of Colors                                                    U.S Air Force ROTC

                                                                              University of California - Berkeley

                                                                                               

Pledge of Allegiance                                               Gilbert D. Brown, III

                                                                               Sr. Province Vice Polemarch          
                                       

"Lift Every Voice and Sing"                                      Tamika Nicole

                                                                                Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Master of Ceremonies                                              Brandon Floyd, Vice Polemarch                                                                                                        Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                                                   

Invocation                                                                Rev. Efrem Smith

                                                                                Berkeley Alumni Chapter

Greetings                                                                  Terrell A. Gray, Sr.,  Polemarch                                                                                                           
                                                                                Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                           

                                                                                Mrs. Jacqueline Berryman, Coordinator                                                                                             
                                                                                Western Province Silhouettes

                                                                                               

Citations and Proclamations                                       Frederick Roots, Strategus

                                                                                 Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                                                               

Recognition of Dignitaries                                          Kevin L. Nichols

                                                                                 Berkeley Alumni Chapter

                                                                                               

Social Action Awards                                               Samuel B. Knight, MBA

                                                                                 Polemarch, Western Province

                                                                

Social Action Awards

Life Course Inc.

NAACP

UNCF

                                                                         

Atty. Thomas Bradley Distinguished Citizen Awards

Father J. Matthews, Pastor

St. Benedict’s Church, Oakland, CA

Regina Jackson, President & CEO

East Oakland Youth Development Center

London Breed, Executive Director

African American Arts & Culture Complex

Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Service Award

Assemblymember Sandre’ R. Swanson (D)

16^th District, California State Assembly

Musical Selection                                                         Tamika Nicole

                                                                                    Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

                                                                                                           

Introduction of Keynote Speaker                                   Robert L. Harris, Esquire

                                                                                     Grand Polemarch (27^th)

                                                                                     Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

                                                                                                 

Keynote Speaker                                                          The Honorable Elihu Harris

                                                                                     46^th Mayor of Oakland, CA (1991-1999)

Special Remarks                                                           Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D)

                                                                                     9^th  Congressional District - California

                                                                                               

Greek Medley - Jovan Nelson

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority                                           Iota Phi Theta Fraternity

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity                                              Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority                                              Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority                                                     Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

                                                                   

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

Closing Remarks                                                               Samuel B. Knight, MBA

                                                                                         Western Province Polemarch

Benediction                                                                       Rev. Ralph E. Butler

                                                                                         Western Province Chaplain

Vernon Davis Foundation's Hamlin Mansion Fundraiser 3/31/12

For press and media 
Theodore Palmer - 646-575-2967
creativeedgepr@gmail.com

Theodore Palmer 
Creative Edge Public Relations LLC, CEO 
www.creativeedgepr.com 
www.myspace.com/creativeedgemarketing 
www.twitter.com/creativeedgepr 
646-575-2967

Foundation Ticket Link http://vandvfamilyfoundationfundraiser.eventbrite.com/

PRWeb

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9266989.htm

Bidding for Good

http://www.biddingforgood.com/VandVDavisFoundation

Text to Give

https://apps.guidebycell.com/gbc/commerce/mobilepay.jsp?mid=5

Facebook/rootsquared

 https://apps.facebook.com/rootsquare/?redirect_frp_id=35

paperless post

paperless.ly/zMy1zb

National Bar Association's Youth Symposium

Can’t call it a comeback because he’s never really left

A few moments with R&B Legend, Lenny Williams

 By: Kevin L. Nichols

I had the chance to catch up with the father of an old friend from junior high school the other day.  Most know him as the lead singer of the legendary R&B group, Tower of Power, however, many know him by his name, Lenny Williams.  Lenny’s vocals are probably partially responsible for many of our existence, being that our parents’ generation listened relentlessly to his crooning. 

Lenny has a new album coming out in May and has a new single out, which was released around Valentine’s Day titled, “Still”.  Although the industry has drastically changed since he first started out in the music business, he feels that the progress is good but that artists have to “get with the program.”  Lenny mentioned a conversation that he had with Charlie Wilson recently about the industry catering to a younger audience, however, it is no different from his generation where artists like Lena Horne, started out young and were popular with their peers.  Moreover, he is excited about the various revenue streams of “new media,” such as iTunes, ring tones, etc. 

Lenny takes social media very seriously.  Unlike the rumors that artists and celebrities hire social media strategists to run their networks, he and his wife personally manage his Facebook and Twitter accounts.  Williams also stays current in the R&B world by being honored with Kanye West as recipients of the BMI Songwriter’s Award for the song “Over Night Celebrity,” recorded by rapper Twista. 

On the horizon, you can catch Lenny on March 22, 2012 at Tommy T’s for a benefit to raise awareness and encourage more African Americans to participate in drug research trials.  He also has an annual golf tournament in San Leandro at Monarch Bay Golf Course on July 7, 2012, to raise funds for local music programs in the schools.  Please mark your calendars and support these wonderful causes.

Lenny said, “I’m an R&B singer…but I better be home to take the garbage out and sweep that front porch!”

For more information, please visit http://www.lennywilliams.com/

Connect with him at | www.Facebook.com/OhOhOhLenny  | www.twitter.com/LennyWilliams  |

Kevin L. Nichols is the President & CEO of KLN Publishing, LLC

He is also a social media consultant based out of San Francisco. 

For more information, please visit www.klnconsultinggroup.com

Copyright 2012   KLN Publishing, LLC   All rights reserved.

East Bay Legal Clinic to Provide Legal Support to Bay Area Small Business Owners

March 8, 2012   Contact: Suman Murthy, 415-543-9444 x218, smurthy@lccr.com   East Bay Legal Clinic to Provide Free Legal Support to Bay Area Small Business Owners   OAKLAND, CA – Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE), an economic justice program of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, announces the launch of our East Bay clinic, bringing free legal services directly to low income entrepreneurs and small business owners to inspire the creation and expansion of businesses in underserved communities.   Today, in partnership with the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC), the Lawyers’ Committee opens the clinic with a free legal workshop, " Starting a Business 101," at the Mandela Gateway Community Room,1350 7th St., across the street from the West Oakland Bart station. “Small businesses are integral to the financial health of the Bay Area.  Our program exists to serve disadvantaged communities and improve opportunities for women and minorities to establish businesses.  We are delighted to partner with our colleagues at EBCLC to reduce the barriers to entry and expansion faced by local entrepreneurs,” said Kimberly Thomas Rapp, Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee.   Following the inaugural workshop, free legal advice will be available to qualifying entrepreneurs through clinic sessions staffed by pro bono attorneys from the Bay Area’s top law firms.  Sessions are scheduled March 19 and 26 at EBCLC’s offices at 2921 Adeline St. in Berkeley. Additionally, businesses with more complex legal needs may be eligible for further free legal advice on intellectual property, employment law, and other issues through LSE’s attorney matching program.   “Small business owners and entrepreneurs often face legal issues that can be challenging to navigate alone.  Our expansion into the East Bay will bring access to free legal advice directly to merchants and small businesses in the area,” stated Risha Jamison, Lawyers’ Committee Senior Attorney and Director of the LSE program.   Access to technical assistance programs, such as Legal Services for Entrepreneurs and the East Bay clinic, can be crucial to ensure the success and survival of a business. The U.S. Small Business Administration has found that only 44% of companies remain in business after four years. In contrast, the National Business Incubators Association has concluded that businesses with access to appropriate technical assistance programs had an 87% success rate after 10 years. About the Lawyers' Committee and Legal Services for Entrepreneurs: For more than 40 years, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area has worked to advance, protect and promote the legal rights of communities of color, immigrants and refugees -- with a specific focus on low-income communities and a long-standing commitment to African Americans. Lawyers' Committee staff, working with hundreds of pro bono attorneys, provides free legal assistance and representation to individuals on civil legal matters through direct services, impact litigation and policy advocacy. In 2011, Lawyers’ Committee mobilized over 1,000pro bono attorneys who contributed more than 48,000 hours of free legal assistance, services valued at over $19 million. For more information, visit www.lccr.com.   Founded in 1997, Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE) provides free business legal services to low-income individuals who want to start or develop for-profit businesses, and for-profit businesses committed to community economic development. To date, LSE has assisted more than 2,000 clients. The East Bay Clinic marks the continued expansion of LSE into Bay Area communities, along with clinics in San Francisco’s Fillmore, Chinatown and Mission neighborhoods.  For more information contact us at lse@lccr.com.    About the East Bay Community Law Center and Green-Collar Community Clinic: Since 1988, the East Bay Community Law Center has provided legal services and clinical training to promote justice and build a community that is more healthy, secure, productive and hopeful.  EBCLC uses a two-prong approach: 1) providing direct legal services and policy advocacy that are responsive to low-income community needs, focused in the areas of housing, health, immigration, , welfare, community reentry, consumer, homeless rights, economic justice and youth law; and 2) offering meaningful, hands-on clinical training for law students to equip future lawyers with the skills, tools, and principles to serve the needs of the community and to help create innovative solutions to the root causes of poverty.    In 2011, EBCLC launched the Green-Collar Communities Clinic (GC3) as the latest effort in over 15 years of community economic development work that includes the development of the People’s Federal Credit Union in west Oakland, litigation to increase affordable housing in Oakland’s Chinatown, and non-profit incubation services throughout Alameda County. GC3, under the leadership of Skadden Fellow, Sushil Jacob, offers free, comprehensive professional assistance to low-income workers and entrepreneurs of color to incubate cooperative and environmentally-sustainable small businesses.

131 Steuart St. Suite 400 | San Francisco, CA 94105 US

Carpe Diem – Seizing the Moment with the Riposte of Karyn White

 

By: Kevin L. Nichols

Songbird, Karyn White, will descend on The Rrazz Room March 1-3, 2012.  Most know her as a platinum selling artist with ballads such as Superwoman and Love Saw It, featuring Kenny “BabyFace” Edmonds.  Many know her by her high powered marriage with her now ex-husband, songwriter and producer, Terry Lewis.  However, the majority of us do not know where she has been and what she has been up to since her last CD (Make Him Do Right – Warner Brothers) in 1994…that is until now.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Ms. White as she prepares for her return to the spotlight and shares her beautiful voice with the Bay Area.  Since 1994, Ms. White has focused her attention on her family, raising her daughter, who is now a freshman at Howard University, and her adopted son.  The life of a traveling musician would not have been conducive to her family life, so she chose to invest in it this way, by being home.  She has lived in Blackhawk, Sacramento – where she did some interior design work, and Los Angeles. 

Upon her return to the industry, Karyn has faced challenges because of her long hiatus.  I asked her what advice could she give to stay-at-home mothers who have chosen to leave their high powered careers to raise their children and she had this to say, “Carpe Diem (the title of her new album), seizing the moment…I believe in following the spiritual voice of God…There’s a season for everything…” and ultimately if you are getting slack from companies saying that “you have been gone to long,” you have to do it yourself.

Since the metamorphoses of the record industry, which involved traditional sales of LPs, CDs, hundreds of thousand dollar videos, etc., Karyn loves the influx of new media and social media.  She says, “Warner Brothers spent millions for people to know Karyn White, but now Karyn White can own herself…I don’t need a label…I love that I can take control of my own career…my destiny through God.”  Her fans are right there, they provide input on album covers, what songs she should sing during shows, and are even working to get her a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

I asked her about the passing of Whitney Houston and her influence in her life and career.  She said, “Whitney was the bar!” “She was the package!” While reminiscing, she recalled that they were both pregnant during the same time and Bobbi Christina and her daughter Angela are about the same age.

Karyn White will be accompanied by her live band, which will feature musicians who have performed with Prince, Sheila E., Lionel Richie, and Jennifer Hudson.  Her voice is richer, stronger, and better.  Karyn said that her new album is retro, kind of like how Raphael Saadiq does it, “the way he does it… is brilliant.  He is today, yesterday, he’s the future…(regarding her album) it’s just soul!”

For ticket information, please visit http://bit.ly/xT3DTr and check out her latest single Soul Sista http://bit.ly/wBGwCD

Connect with her  | www.facebook.com/KarynWhiteMusic  | http://www.twitter.com/karyns_world | www.youtube.com/karynwhiteofficial

Kevin L. Nichols is the President & CEO of KLN Publishing, LLC

He is also a social media consultant based out of San Francisco. 

For more information, please visit www.klnconsultinggroup.com

Copyright 2012   KLN Publishing, LLC   All rights reserved.