The Soultown! Volume III: Issue 9 SEPTEMBER 2019 | Page 20

EXCLUSIVE
“I can’t imagine having grown up in Iowa
without the Beautiful Black Giant down the
block. 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. ”
--- Telisa Burt
“The Beautiful Black Giant and the information
juggernaut! I am hoping that no one will ever have
the opportunity to feel that void!”
If There Is One Message
“The message I’d like for listeners and supporters
to understand is twofold,” Berry says, “KBBG was
created to provide a voice for this community. If
fully understood and utilized consciously, we would
clearly understand that KBBG could serve as
protection against systemic injustice, discrimination,
and inequality; if utilized strategically. I hope that
this community understands. For 42 years, KBBG
has provided a service to the total community,
reflective in its broad range of programming
offerings. KBBG’s priority is to design programming
that will attract and retain new audiences and meet
the needs of the community.”
While Muhammad is currently working on some
major business projects in Dakar, Senegal; West
Africa, he elaborates, “I have had a lot of time to
reflect on that question [What is your message to
the Black Waterloo?] and there is not of enough
space for me to give a complete exposé, on
the question. When I woke up to who I am and
wanted to serve our community, I had no real
understanding of what the full scope would be.
My love grew for our people and my voice grew
stronger. The station became a great platform
to amplify the messages of consciousness. We
have to realize the importance of having an
uncompromising voice. Black radio is endangered
as an institution and staple in our community. All of
our movements for social reform and justice were
market promoted and discussed on community
radio. With the advent of social media, we have
to strike a balance to allow for our powerful
broadcast institutions to survive the technological
advancements in society. We must not fall victim to
the rich, wealthy and powerful controllers of media
who disseminate misinformation based on their
agendas. The multi-billionaire media institutions
socially engineer conflicts and sensationalize the
ills of our community. We must have a voice that
will bring a positive light to who we are -- as a
people. A voice that will counter the mischievous
agenda of these establishments, and a voice that
will magnify our gifts, our talents, and our brilliance.
We are only frivolously entertaining if we talk about
freedom, justice, equality, and economic growth,
but will not pay the bill.
How Can We Support?
The 18th Law is the Law of Sacrifice. It states you
cannot get something you want, without giving up
something in return.
Donations for KBBG 88.1 FM can be made at
the website at:
• kbbgfm.org
Cash App $kbbgfm
Checks can be mailed or walk-ins at KBBG-FM,
918 Newell Street Waterloo, IA 50703
For more information, Call 319-234-1414
• Donations for KBOL 100.1 FM can be made at:
Cash App: $CEO1
The
Ultimate
Challenge
Fortunately
AM/FM
radio
may have lasted
long enough to
delay a decision on
the digital disruption,
however now radio
is the latest industry
facing massive disruption
from the digital age. To
thrive, all radio stations
across the country must
reinvent with creativity, and
reclaim control of its journey to
maintain its unique position with
advertisers, audiences and other
stakeholders into the third decade
of this century and beyond. This may include
boardroom discussion about digital services if it
desires a future. If not, it may become a thing of
the past.
The Sankofa Vow is The Soultown’s promise
to our ancestors; to return to the Motherland and
retrieve what has been stolen from my ancestry
via the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Our forefathers
intended to leave seeds for us to return to gather,
plant, cultivate and grow. These seeds can be
reclaimed and retained by reading, watching, and
discussing with our elders and also by traveling to
our native continent of Africa, the Motherland.
On behalf of The Soultown, we would like to
thank Black Waterloo, KBBG and KBOL for having
SOUL! ,
Sept. 2019 • The Soultown International Magazine • Celebrating 2 years • Connecting Our Cultures to Our Cyber & Conscious Communities • thesoultown.com
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