Tom Joyner

Founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation and BlackAmericaWeb.com, and host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, Tom Joyner Sr. is considered one of the most influential, inspirational, and dynamic personalities in the country. From small, southern Tuskegee, Ala., this 1999 Radio Hall of Fame inductee has ignited a sense of pride in the hearts of seven million listeners in more than 120 radio markets, instilling in us the significance of unity and giving back to one's community. 'Savoy' magazine's 2002 Person of the Year, Joyner requires that each person who attends his city-to-city "sky show" bring proof of voter registration...or register at the door. He and members of his crew also have prompted major companies to stop discriminating against African-Americans and Hispanics in advertising and are in the trenches with the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, raising health awareness among African-Americans. But Joyner doesn't stop there. His Tom Joyner Foundation, a charitable, non-profit organization, was started in 1997 for the sake of African-American students in need at historically Black colleges and universities across the nation. The foundation has raised more than $12 million to date for this single cause. The four-time 'Billboard' magazine award winner's most recent venture is BlackAmericaWeb.com, which was created in June 2001 to encourage interaction between African-Americans and as an easy-to-use, comprehensive well of information on the African-American experience. The web site is a highly recommended source for the latest credible news and views, ranging from Black business and commerce to the basic activities of daily life. The main goal is to mobilize the African-American community through healthy information, thoughtful entertainment and star-inspired empowerment. A graduate of Tuskegee University, Joyner began his broadcasting career in Montgomery, Ala., at WRMA-AM immediately after graduation. With a B.S. in sociology in hand, he ventured into several other markets, including WLOK-AM in Memphis; KWK-AM in St. Louis; KKDA-FM in Dallas; and four different stations in Chicago. Finally, in the mid-1980s, Joyner made his claim to fame when he accepted simultaneous positions as "morning drive man" at Dallas's KKDA and "afternoon drive man" at Chicago's WGCI. Flying everyday between the two cities to work eventually earned him national recognition, the name "Fly Jock," seven million frequent flyer miles, syndication and undoubtedly the largest audience of any urban radio program. Joyner's success as a radio personality and philanthropist has earned him several awards and honors, including four 'Billboard' magazine Best Urban Contemporary Air Personality awards and 'Impact' magazine's Joe Loris Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. Joyner was named 'Impact''s Best DJ of the Year so many times that this honor has been renamed the Tom Joyner Award. Other notable honors include the congressional Black Caucus' Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award, 100 Black Men's Man of the Year Award, the NAACP's President's Award and the Harold Washington Award for his tireless efforts in the Census 2002 campaign. This national pacesetter resides in Dallas with his wife, fitness guru Donna Richardson, who is the fitness expert for NBC's 'Later Today' and 'Weekend Today' shows. Joyner has two sons, Thomas Jr., who is the chief executive officer of the Tom Joyner Foundation, and Oscar, who is the vice-chair for Joyner's BlackAmericaWeb.com.