nakiawalker

Breaking Barriers: Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists makes HISTORY with First-Ever Hall of Fame Induction

March 19, 2025 — Leave a comment

The Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists hosted it’s first-ever Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony last month on Feb 22, 2025 located at the Cleveland History Center. VIP guests in attendance gathered for such a historical and momumentous night of recognizable talent for their achievements in print, radio, broadcast, digital, media and storytelling.

The inauguaral red carpet celebration marked an exciting turning point for Cleveland, Ohio. Actor, playwright and former politician, Peter Lawson Jones was the MC for the night. And, accompanying him as the presenter to each prestigious recipient was the President of The Greater Cleveland Association, Rhonda Crowder. “This has been a long time in the making, but unfortunately was put off due to the everlasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Being that the upcoming event with the National Association of Black of Journalists (NABJ) is hosting their 50th Anniversary right here in Cleveland this year, it was no better time than the present than to implement this new idea,” says Crowder.

Left- Nakia Key, Rhonda Crowder, President of Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists (middle), Right-Brian Wherry
Nakia Key strikes a pose on the red carpet

In addition, the chapter also recognized those emerging leaders in the entertainment and media industry making an impact over the last year. Congratulations to all the honorees. It was a remarkable night. You just had to be there!

Hall of Fame Recipients include:

*Print Category

Constance D. Harper- Call & Post

Dick Peery – The Plain Dealer

*Radio Category

Lynn Toliver- 93FM WZAK

Mansfield Frazier- Newsradio WTAM 1100AM

James “Jimmy” Malone- Newsradio WTAM 1100 AM

*Broadcast Category

Ernest “Pete” Cary- FOX 8/WJW

Leon Bibb – News 5 CLEVELAND WEWS & WKYC STUDIO 3 NEWS

*Photojournalist/Visual Category

Herb G. Thomas – FOX 8/ WJW

Richard “Zoom” Scott- FOX 8/WJW

*Digital Category

Nate Paige- Cleveland.com

*MEDIA/PR Category

Dargan J. Burns- Karamu House/Burns Public Relations Services

Alexandria Johnson Boone- GAP Communications

Meet Fox 8 News Co-Anchor Wayne Dawson: The Seeds of Greatness are Within You

July 8, 2023 — Leave a comment

Wayne Dawson just made his 16th stop on his incredible book tour: “The Seeds of Greatness are Within You” at the Fairview Park Public Library Branch. Dawson is the lead co-anchor on Cleveland’s #1 morning show, Fox 8 News in the Morning on WJW-TV seen weekdays from 4am-10am. Suprised on the set by his morning crew and family, Dawson celebrated 43 years at Fox 8 which is detailed in his memoir!

Dawson hosted a book signing and Q&A with his publicist Deante Young. Joined by special guest appearance, co-anchor of Fox 8 News in the Morning, Todd Meany. The public were able to meet and greet the host, take photos and enjoy themselves with getting an up close and personal view of the newcaster outside of work.

In his earlier life, Dawson graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. He went on to win so many awards including 11 Emmy awards and is a member of the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Other awards include the Chuck Heaton Award for the Cleveland Press Club which was presented in 2014 and his induction into the NATAS Silver Circle. In additon, Dawson was named “Outstanding Young Men of America.” And also was selcted as “Outstanding TV News Reporter” and “Man of the Year.” Dawson is a member of the NAACP, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Dawson is pastor to Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church and the co-founder of the Dawson Foundation alongside his brother, Judge William Dawson in special memory to honor their late mother, Annie L. Dawson.

Other Links: 43 year celebration Fox 8 https://www.dawsonfoundation.org/

Get Ready for Star Wars like you’ve NEVER seen it before: The Empire Strips Back

April 9, 2019 — Leave a comment

chewbacca

Coming to you LIVE from the Masonic Cleveland Auditorium Thursday April 18, 2019 is The Empire Strips Back: A Star Wars Burlesque Show. 

You will witness all the Star Wars characters up close and personal in a sultry, sexy, sophisticated, and even hip hop way! That’s right, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skwalker, Chewbacca and so much more…This show has everything, presented to its fans by the mastermind behind the project Russall S. Beattie. The show first appeared in Australia in 2011, and after making a major debut, it was a HIT! And now has been on tour, and we are thankful that Cleveland, Ohio is one of the places the show is coming to while on the road. Hear more in our interview below:

Russall Beattie

With great costumes designed specifically and brought to you straight from the original trilogy itself and tons of excitement! An event for those 18 and older that you won’t be able to take your eyes off of.  I can assure you that you will never look at Star Wars the same after seeing this extraordinary show! Don’t believe me, check it out for yourself…

Here is a SNEAK PREVIEW!! Enjoy…

For more information & tickets visit:

Thursday, April 18 @8pm; Cleveland – MASONIC AUDITORIUM
3615 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115

R&B Star: Marsha Ambrosius just wrapped up the NYLA Tour 2019

April 9, 2019 — Leave a comment

Marsha-Ambrosius-NYLA-Tour

My day was made when I got a chance to meet and interview one of my favorite singers, Grammy-nominated songstress, Marsha Ambrosius. I absolutely love and adore her music. How could you not? You know all you gotta do is, “Say Yes!” See what I did there?

 

The tour was titled, The NYLA Tour, same name given to her new album, NYLA which is named after her beautiful daughter. The show kicked off in Las Vegas Jan. 27. and toured through so many other cities in California, Illinois, Indianapolis, Virginia, OHIO and so many others…

 

NYLA is Ambrosius’ third solo album, released in September 2018. The album features 16 tracks,  She explains in our interview how this album is more about her growth as an artist and woman, especially with being a married woman now to husband, Dez Billups’ and new mother. Ambrosius goes on to explain how these roles have made such a large impact in her life, so much that it became helpful when deciding on the name for the album.

Watch here for more:

Marsha Ambrosius has been making music for over a decade. That is a blessing! Not many artists can say the same, and according to Ambrosius, “…she’s just getting started, history hasn’t even been written yet.” Stay tuned for more of what she is up to you.

 

  • Listen here for more: NYLA