The Soultown! Volume III: Issue 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 | Page 19

EXCLUSIVE
“Without KBOL the strong independent
black voice would be silent. Without
KBBG, [our local] history would be lost
...”
--- William Muhammad
is the cost for sustainability. The future of KBOL
is hinged on if there will be adequate resources
and sustainable supports. I have incurred a lot of
debt and strained relationships trying to manage
the existence of KBOL. We as a people support
mostly every institution but our own. We have
to mature, unify our efforts and not just manage
the houses of others. I have been fortunate to
travel the world and I do not doubt that the Black
man and woman in America lead the world. Our
struggle is finding our way to unifying our efforts
in the way of being independent investors into our
future. Real love frees the heart of toxins. I believe
that our institutions have to be our primary focus.
We have to pool our resources unselfishly with a
sense of mission to assure our successes. We
have to overcome the blindness and paralysis that
keep us locked out of the blessings that God has
for us. Charity starts at home.”
Black Waterloo Without KBBG & KBOL
The residents, supporters, and people of Black
Waterloo cannot fathom the idea of living in the city
or the community without each of the radio stations.
However, the reality is that radio stations are
businesses and the role of a businesses is to make
revenue. Royalties from streaming data accounts
for 20-30% of the data that comprises the Hot 100
and, too, comes with a cost. In short, representatives
from labels want to invest in businesses where the
masses can be reached faster.
“Without KBOL the strong independent black
voice would be silent,” says William Muhammad,
the brother of Michael Muhammad, “Without KBBG,
[our local] history would be lost …”
“I can’t imagine having grown up in Iowa without
the Beautiful Black Giant down the block,” says
Telisa Burt. “KBBG will always be a cultural and
socio-political pioneer in my eyes. I’m not sure we
were even old enough to understand what it was
to be black-owned and operated, but now I still
marvel at the fact that the Porters had the fortitude
to stand in that space unapologetically. They hosted
campaign rallies, parades, block parties…they had
a real presence. And I recognize that it was their
efforts that cultivated the fertile ground from which
KBOL was born. A new generation to share in
the businesses of engaging and empowering our
community.”
“I believe the community will ultimately be fine,
but a void will be felt from the loss of any of our
independent institutions,” says Michael Muhammad.
“KBOL provided a very powerful venue for free self-
expression and with certain programs it has been
a stimulus for raising awareness in the community
especially along the area of black thought and
social accountability.”
“... No one will understand and feel the void of
what it would be like not to have a KBBG our
community-educational radio,” states Holmes,
Sept. 2019 • The Soultown International Magazine • Celebrating 2 years • Connecting Our Cultures to Our Cyber & Conscious Communities • thesoultown.com
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