Saturday, January 30, 2016

Launch Party Success

KDIV 98.7 Launch Party Success
by Leora Jackson


A spectacular gathering of community individuals came up to Foghorns for the unveiling of the First Urban Black Radio station, KDIV 98.7, Voice of Diversity in Fayetteville last Thursday evening January 21, 2016. Members of the Board and CEO Reginald Brasfield, received a flooding of questions from the audience and abundance of answers were given.




Brasfield opened up the Q & A session by introducing himself and members of the board, Tearle Byers, Clement Ogunyemi, Leora Jackson and Stephanie Adams.

“I always had an idea to find a way to connect our voices through radio. It hasn’t’ been done before and I met up with Tearle Byers and we shared the same interest. Why not a Black Radio Station,” said Brasfield.




KDIV, Voice of Diversity is more about Hip-Hop, Jazz, Gospel and music. It has to do with the people and innovation on how to make the community be heard.

 Kassie Brown, 30, Prairie Grove said, “I like the passion of this radio station. It’s more than about music. I like that this is a non-profit radio station for the community.”

Tenisha Gist, Director of the Yvonne Richardson Center said the event was nice and was glad that the radio is a non-profit which helps to add diversity to the NWA area.

“I am a lover of music and I like listening to all types of genres. I also enjoy instrumental beats as well. I am sure that with Voice of Diversity, it will help to make the area more inclusive,” said Gist.




Byers, Voice of Diversity Board member and Co-Founder said, “I am glad the Launch Party met the expectations of everyone. Our next goal is to get sponsorship, and funding. Volunteers are always needed as well.”

Blair Beasley, Broadcast Journalism major at the UA was excited that a Black Radio station was in the Community.



“I have lived here my whole life and we have always wanted a black radio station. I have listened to other radio stations, but they didn’t have a lot of our music like they do now. I am so glad that Diversity is occurring in NWA! I am definitely looking to help volunteer with the radio station,” said Beasley.

Participants who completed a brief survey as they entered the Launch Party, were entered in a raffle giveaway and won door prizes such as dinner for 2, Razorback game tickets, bottles of exquisite wine, and the grand prize was tickets to the Memphis Grizzlies game. Wow! This Board of KDIV has great connections to the Memphis Grizzlies, so stay tuned for more exciting giveaways!

Overall, the Launch Party was a dynamic success!

What’s Next for KDIV?? Listen to your First Urban Radio Station for Historical Black Heroes of NWA as we add their voices to Voice of Diversity and share them with you in honor of Black History Month.

If you want to volunteer or support KDIV 98.7, please contact voiceofdiversity@yahoo.com or call at 501-960-4360. Also check out a fundpage at Launch KDIV

We are your FIRST URBAN RADIO STATION, Voice of the City!!!




Photos by Ryan Versey For more photos check out Versatile Optics Photography
Article by Leora Jackson

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