Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a critically acclaimed author and scholar at the forefront of sociopolitical and racial matters, made his radio debut this week with a news talk show, “The Michael Eric Dyson Show.”
Created and produced by the African American Public Radio Consortium, the show will air Monday through Friday (time slots will vary according to station) in18 markets that will include a partnership with Baltimore’s own WEAA-FM; Atlanta (WCLK-AM); Raleigh-Durham (WSHA-FM and WNCU-FM) and Houston (KTSU-FM).
“What I want to bring is a set of ideas and the ability to talk about them in lucid and clear fashion that will make a difference to the listening audience,” said Dyson. “I want to bring an entire group of people, who don’t usually have a voice on radio, to bear on this show so that smart people can hear what smart people sound like when [they] are given an opportunity to think out loud and in public about issues that affects us all.”
Dyson’s vision for his program is far more than rhetoric. Kicking off the first show with guest media mogul Oprah Winfrey, he plans to continue strong with an impressive line-up of guests that will include filmmaker Spike Lee, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and actor Samuel L. Jackson.
Formatted in three segment blocks, the show will feature newsmaker guest interviews, arts and entertainment/culture guest interviews and roundtable discussions on politics, religion and the economy and race, two hot topics Dyson is eager to discuss.
“This economy we are in is pretty tough, so that’s an enormously important conversation to have, and how people of color in particular shake out in the economy. What’s in the stimulus package to stimulate us?” stated Dyson. “The issue of race and class remains paramount to our existence.”
Dyson has been at the forefront of social issues and current affairs with his work. The author of 17 books, he has covered an array of gripping subjects as seen with his Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster, an inside look at the disaster which unraveled other concerns of race and class in America, and the close study of cultural politics and history with his latest New York Times best seller, April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America.
An advocate and supporter of hip-hop culture, Dyson has also penned Know What I Mean?, an examination of the global impact of hip-hop music on youth and the consequences sometimes endured when the art form becomes irresponsible with its messages. Dyson’s crossover appeal to the youth is expected to be a winning trait that will broaden the public radio audience.
“One of the things that the stations experience is that a lot of the students on their campuses may not necessarily be listeners to their radio station,” said Loretta Rucker, executive director of the African American Public Radio Consortium. “But all the station managers have acknowledged that on their campuses there is huge support for Michael Eric Dyson.
“So, what we are thinking is that with him we’re going to be able to provide a bridge between the traditional African-American public radio audience that we have and build up a bridge to a younger demographic.”
In a time where the economic crunch is causing newspapers to collapse and lay off employees, Dyson’s presence is a boon for Black media.
“Because of consolidation and because of the economy we’re losing some very important voices and to be able to bring another important voice to folks locally in Baltimore ---and nationwide -- I think it’s a great opportunity,” said LaFontaine Oliver, general manager of WEAA. “We’re looking forward to it.”
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