Comedian. Television host. Movie Star. Top-rated syndicated Radio Personality. Father of 6.

For more than 20 years, Rickey Smiley is one of the most beloved performers in American media, earning a reputation for delivering boundless laughter on-air, on-stage, and on-screen. Every morning, millions of Americans in nearly 60 cities listen to Rickey Smiley and his 6 outrageous cast members on “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.”

His interviews with major celebrities, social political awareness and trademark prank phone calls have made Smiley one of the most listened to radio personalities in history. Rickey Smiley’s down home southern humor, opting to use insight rather than vulgarity to get laughs, is at the core of his success. His audiences are treated to such original characters as “Mrs. Bernice Jenkins”, “Lil’ Darrl,” “Joe Willie” and “Beauford.” Smiley is known for his clean comedic style and his reputation to sell out venues across the country. To movie audiences, Smiley is best known for “All About The Benjamins” and “Friday After Next”.

He’s recorded 8 best selling CDs including iTunes #1 Best Selling Comedy Album, “Rickey Smiley- Prank Calls Number 6”. On television he”s hosted BET’s “Open Casket Sharp” and “Comic View”, appeared on “Showtime At The Apollo,” “Uptown Comedy Club”, HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam”and “Snaps”. Smiley graduated from Alabama State University, became KBFB’s (Dallas) morning show personality in 2004, and soon moved his show to WHTA Atlanta.

When not performing, Smiley is the ultimate devoted father, single handedly raising 6 kids, the subject of a soon to be released parenting book. QUOTE: “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”

Listen to Rickey and crew on K97.5 from 6 – 10 a.m. M-F.

Connect with Rickey Smily via Twitter – @RickeySmiley and Facebook.

Source: Radio One Raleigh

Autumn-Joi was bitten by the entertainment bug early in life. She received her first internship at WPGC 95.5 in Washington, DC, with radio/TV icon, Donnie Simpson. He allowed her to contribute to his weekly American Idol “chatter” and from that exposure, she knew behind the mic was where she wanted to be. Autumn then took her talents to South Beach where she interned with 99 JAMZ midday diva Sheby Rushin. It was at 99 JAMZ where she got to spread her radio wings when asked to fill in for DJ Khaled’s ‘The Takeover’ show. Autumn’s fresh, sultry, sound blew everyone away. Upon graduating from college, Autumn received the ultimate graduation present from 93.9 WKYS in Washington, DC when they asked her to bring her talents to their overnight and Sunday afternoon shows. Autumn’s ‘The Overnight Sensation’ show was born and she quickly became DC’s ‘Favorite Girl’; a nickname that has been with her throughout her career. Autumn-Joi also produced, directed and starred in the ‘Weekly Recap’ seen on ThisIs50 .com . This show highlighted the latest gossip from sports to celebrity scandals. The ‘Weekly Recap’ received over 500,000 views per week and afforded her the opportunity to work on-air at Shade 45 in New York! She is currently a regular correspondent for TMZ and has been a featured panelist for News One Now w/ Roland Martin on TV One over 5 times! She was ‘The Zone’ host at WERQ in Baltimore, 10pm to 2am, for three years before her transition into middays! Autumn-Joi is the newest member of the Radio One Raleigh family as the midday personality and The ‘Autumn Joi Live Show’ can be heard Mon-Sat 10a to 3pm on K97.5!!

Source: Rick Crank / Rick Crank

From hosting parties, big events and other special functions, public speaking and other community work, Brian Dawson has done it all in the entertainment world.

A native of Fredericksburg, VA, Brian and possesses an Associates Degree in Arts and Radio from Gulf Coast Community College in Florida and  Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Masters in Sports Management both obtained at the University of Akron in Ohio. To add to Brian’s versatility, he possesses the ability to move crowds and to involve individuals in the special events that he hosts. Brian’s natural ability to interact with a variety of people has enabled him to be an active and well-respected individual within the community.

Fifteen years of entertainment experience has made Brian one of the most sought after talents on the East Coast.  Brian is the afternoon drive host (3pm-7pm) at Radio One of Raleigh for WQOK FM K97.5. His show “The Traffic Jamz” can be heard throughout the central parts of North Carolina to Southern Virginia and has been consistently ranked number one in the 12+, 18-34, and 25-54 demos.As an afternoon personality, Brian has interviewed highly recognized artists in music and entertainment like Jay Z, Diddy, John Legend, Ludacris, Tyrese, Neyo, Alicia Keys, Rick James, 50 Cent, and TI; Public Figures such as President Barack Obama, Senator Hilary Clinton, former Senator John Edwards, Pastor Shirley Caesar, and NBA legend Magic Johnson and he has also hosted events with celebrities such as Usher, John Witherspoon, Yancey Thigpen, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Randy Moss, and Kid Capri. He has appeared on and hosted television shows including BET’s ‘Rap City,’ ‘Keepin’ It Reel’ TV, a music and video show for five years, FOX 50’s ‘Gimmie the Mike’ for two years, MTV’s ‘The Dance” and he is currently working on his new project TV show “The B spot” on FOX 50.

Brian Dawson has experience in all forms of entertainment including but limited to event planning, street promotions, and radio/ television production. As an entrepreneur, Brian Dawson is the founder and CEO of Chase Media. His company provides advertising, artist and/or personality bookings and development, event planning and coordination, marketing, product placement, and promotions.

While Brian is known universally by his radio exposure, he is also very well known for the high caliber social events that he has masterminded.  Annual special events that Brian has hosted include: “OSAW” Old School Alumni Weekend, Josh Powell’s NBA Celebrity Weekend, Willie Parker’s NFL Celebrity Weekend, Women’s Empowerment, Dante Culpepper NFL Celebrity Weekend,  The Bimbe’ Cultural Arts Festival, North Carolina Central University’s Homecoming, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, and The Black Business Expo. Brian Dawson was also a guest speaker in the Radio One vigil dedicated to the September 11th Attack on America.

Brian’s education and over a decade of experience coupled with his outgoing personality and positive attitude makes him a well trained and seasoned individual who will continue to impact the entertainment industry on a variety of different levels.

Source: Showtime / Showtime

Media professional and radio personality “Showtime” has become the voice that listeners and readers have come to recognize as their own.   Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Showtime was the product of a single-parent home and raised by his mother.  After losing his father at an early age, Showtime began to lean on the culture of Hip Hop as a way to fill the void that was left by his father’s death.

In addition to being a dynamic radio personality, Showtime is also a dedicated father, a motivational speaker,  and a published author. He is a contributor to the book Be a Father to Your Child: Real Talk from Black Men on Family, Love, and Fatherhood. Featured alongside a variety of prominent figures like rappers Talib Kweli and Rhymefest, and activists like New York Democratic candidate for Congress (2010) Kevin Powell, professor William Jelani Cobb, and Hip Hop historian Davey D, Showtime gives an account of what it was like being raised in a fatherless home where his only positive male influence came from members of the Hip Hop community. Also, he has created a platform for the issues affecting single fathers.  Thesinglefathersblog.com is a place where fathers can read about real issues and resolutions