An artist’s rendering of KMOJ’s future

home at W. Broadway & Penn Avenue N.

By Alaina Lewis

“More Old Skool, more R&B, more

Love for your community,”
Miss Georgia spits, as a rush of music
rolls to a close and she prepares to claim
the mic for a break between musical
sets. After only one year of service as the
host of KMOJ’s “Middays” the youngest
personality to brave the DJ booth for the
Twin Cities station knows all too well the
importance of KMOJ’s mission as well
as their purpose and necessity as our
community leaders on the airwaves.

“I chose KMOJ as my home because

the organization’s mission to reinstate a

KMOJ moves back

positive image into the Black community
is very much so my personal desire.
I strive for social change especially

to North Minneapolis
in the areas of women’s rights and
the growing absence of family in the
African American community. Working
at KMOJ has cultivated my abilities to
voice my opinions effectively as well
as respectably and has provided me
a platform where it is appropriate to
touch on the issues I feel passionate
about,” said 22-year-old Georgia “Miss
Georgia” McClellon, whose passion for
the community loudly resonates while
she’s hosting her daily program.

Some 30 years ago, the station that

started out as WMOJ on the AM circuit
had only enough wattage to reach a

McFarlane Reader March 22-28, 2010

 couple of blocks from its transmitter, but their desire to service
the surrounding area with positive radio in the Sumner-Olson
and Glenwood-Lyndale Public Housing Developments
became the catalyst for how the facility is still run today. Their
ability to be a reaffirming voice of the positive values that the
African American community at large was built on, quickly
garnered them the moniker of “The People’s Station,” and
has made them a permanent fixture in our homes today.

Although KMOJ’s popularity has never been defeated or

victimized by the changing of seasons in today’s music, the
non-profit organization still sails with the tides of being a
mostly community funded institution. Even as the recession
peaks through the cracks of many of our wallets, the station,
now in the middle of its 2010 Radiothon, is on a mission
to garner donations from the public and those continued
listeners who are dedicated to their diverse programing and
who also share the desire to bring the station’s mission to
a wider audience from their future home on the renovated
block of Broadway and Penn in North Minneapolis.

“KMOJ is ready to move back to North Minneapolis. That’s

where it all began for our diverse and hardworking family of
DJs and that’s where our heart is. In addition to the move, Kelvin Quarles, General Manager
our station has unfortunately faced tremendous expenses
as they’ve been trying to work towards its broadcasting
expansion through the entire Metro Area,” McClellon said.
“Because we represent the people, it has been a long desire
for us to be able to reach all of the people city wide. Right
now our signal comes into the homes of Minneapolis and
its surrounding suburbs, but St. Paul is part of our desired
network too, and we’re hoping that this radiothon will give us
the boost we need to reach the masses.”

McClellon, who was working as a Radio DJ for her college

radio station at St. Thomas University, sought an opportunity
to intern with KMOJ because of its reputation for being a
credible broadcast training facility that places emphasis on
educating its personalities to deliver positive and unique
public affairs programming. In addition, McClellon was
impressed with the successful careers of former DJ’s and
personalities who got their start at KMOJ.

“To me the station is an opportunity for me to build a

respectable career in entertainment and most importantly,
KMOJ has been a family that has helped me grow,
emotionally, mentally, and professionally,” McClellon said.

From “Conversations with Al McFarlane,” which once aired

on KMOJ, to Mahmoud El-Kati, Michael “Mike Mike” Lindsey, Georgia McClellon, Radio Host
Larry Fitzgerald, Sr., Spike Moss, Walter “Q-Bear” Banks Jr.,

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Crstyle, Big Si, Lisa Moy, Big Sam, Candice Breedlove,
Caddy, Ray Richardson, Dan Speak and Disco T, Leah B.
Olson, Ray Seville, and many others including U.S Rep.
Keith Ellison (D-MN), KMOJ has consistently provided a
space for thoughtful, progressive programming. Through
each of their accomplishments, the listening audience
has been exposed to no only well-presented radio
personalities, but also community leaders.

Timeless shows like, “The Morning Show with Big Si and

Lisa Moy,” “Back In The Day Buffet,” “Urban Griots,” “
The Original Quiet Storm,” “African Roots Connection,”
“Seniors Perspective,” “Middays,” “Tropical Vibes,”
“Urban Agenda,” “Youth Summit,” “Rush It or Flush It,””
The Tight at Night Show” and many other shows are the
reason we stay connected to 89.9FM and continue to
celebrate their stance on maintaining the same format
and audience desired programming unlike several
other stations who continue to reinvent themselves in
order to maintain listenership amongst the Twin Cities.
KMOJ’s celebrated excellence comes from the fact that
their station offers no surprises in format only continued
reasons to listen.
Lisa Moy, Radio Host
Beyond the airwaves, KMOJs outreach has found them
tied to a plethora of positive events such as Juneteenth,
Playdate at the Downtown Hyatt-Regency, Family
Reunion Saturday, The International Fashion Show, The
Twin Cities Hip Hop Awards and several other functions
that directly effect the African American community and
promote positive entertainment.

Although the public promotion of their 2010 Radiothon is

rolled to a close Sunday, March 21, KMOJ will continue
to accept donations throughout the year, as well as
continuing to spread their mission of community via
music and urban programming.

To say the least, it is a wonderful thing for the African

American community in the Twin Cities to have media
outlets in circulation that they can call their own. From
the pages of this publication to the airwaves of KMOJ,
we have our eyes and ears occupied with the exchange
of positive programming and publications. Now it is up
to us to support the continuation of having our voice
heard through these institutions. A monetary donation to
KMOJ’s Radiothon, is a donation to your future in urban
programming and a continued focus on positive media
for and by our community.
Walter “Q Bear” Banks,
To donate to the KMOJ call (612) 824-1929 or visit www.
Operations Coordinator
KMOJFM.com and click “DONATE.” Tune in to 89.9
KMOJ FM the People’s Station.

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