Voice of Diversity, Urban Radio Station KDIV 98.7

Who is KDIV, 98.7??

Reginald Brasfield, Executive Director – An Arkansas native (Gould) and University of the Ozarks alumni.  In 2004, Reggie moved to Bentonville to begin a career with Wal-Mart Corporate.  For the past 12 years, he has served in multiple functions both professional & personal to support community growth.  Reggie currently works for Philips Consumer Lifestyles and serves as a board member for the Arkansas Blazers, a non-profit youth basketball organization in Northwest Arkansas, he is an ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis, and several other groups.  In 2012, Reggie was voted one of NWA’s Most Influential Professionals.  He a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

 

Reginald Brasfield

Tearle Byers, Board Member at Large—Tearle an Arkansas native (Cleveland) moved to the northwest Arkansas area in 2004. He was working with Outback Steakhouse at the time and was transferred to the Rogers, AR store from Corpus Christi, Texas. Tearle worked a total of 15 years in the restaurant industry. He also served 8 years as an Army Reservist specializing in communications for various Army units. Tearle reached the rank of sergeant E-5 upon departing the military. While in NWA, Tearle graduated from John Brown University in 2010 with a BA in Organizational Management. KDIV was his capstone project. Tearle has always believed in serving his community. He was able to bring a Sweetest Day event to NWA that benefits mentally and sexually abused children. This event has benefited the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County Arkansas for 11 years strong and has raised over $300K to date. Tearle served as a board member of the Children’s Advocacy Center from 2011-2012. Tearle is also a Prince Hall affiliated mason. Tearle Byers works for Mondelēz International and is currently a District Manager in the St. Louis, MO metro area.

 

Tearle Byers

Upon relocating to the Northwest Arkansas area, Reggie noticed that there were cultural gaps in the community. As a young African American male, there were not many activities in the area that made it feel "like home, " making for some challenging days. These days became years and as time passed, industrial growth in Northwest Arkansas occurred much faster than cultural diversity.

Some years into living in Northwest Arkansas, Reggie was introduced to another person of color, Tearle Byers. The two developed a strong bond as they were able to share ideas and thoughts about bringing more diversity to Northwest Arkansas. The two spent hours discussing how music brought cultures, communities, and even nations together. Both already very involved in charities and community development, became excited about the possibility of bringing more diverse music to Northwest Arkansas. Reggie spoke of his exposure and family ties to radio while Tearle researched and wrote his capstone business review on Urban Radio stations.

In 2013, Reggie and Tearle created Voice of Diversity, a non-profit educational organization. In doing so they were afforded an opportunity to apply for a radio frequency in Northwest Arkansas.  After years of work, in 2015, the Federal Communication Commission approved the organization rights to frequency 98.7 (KDIV) for the purposes of bringing diverse music/education to an area that is without such programming.

Their vision for Voice of Diversity and having an Urban Radio Station (KDIV 98.7) is to educate, entertain, and promote diversity within all areas of society.  KDIV 98.7 is a tool to give African Americans a voice by which cultural growth and unity blossoms.  Voice of Diversity as an organization exists to add positive and productive values in community.

Lets give it up for KDIV, 98.7 NWA first Urban Radio Station created to give Voice to the Diverse Population of NWA!

Don't forget to come to the Launch Party at Foghorns Wings & More on Thursday January 21, from 4:30-8 pm. The First 25 guest will be entered into a raffle for some cool door prizes. 

Welcome KDIV, we're so glad you're here!!

Stay tuned for more on KISS 105.3, another Urban Radio Station. 

by Leora Jackson