ABOVE PHOTO: Radio One founder Cathy Hughes joined Dyana live on air celebrating her 40 years on radio.
(Photo / H Michael Hammie)
On Sunday, October 21, 100.3 WRNB celebrated Dyana Williams and her 40th Anniversary in the radio broadcasting industry. Williams along with co-host Derrick Sampson took their weekly “Soulful Sunday” show live broadcasting from Relish, 7152 Ogontz Avenue. Willliams’ celebrated just days before being inducted into Temple University’s Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Special guests joining the on-air party included Radio One Founder Cathy Hughes who co-hosted Soulful Sundays with Dyana, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Elle Varner, Jean Cam, Kool of Kool and the Gang, Philly legends, Kenny Gamble, Earl Young of the Trammps, Billy Paul, Helen Scott of the Three Degrees and many other luminaries honoring Williams’ contributions to the radio industry over 40 years.
For over three decades, Dyana Williams has remained a constant force in the entertainment industry. Her career spans from broadcasting, community activism, print journalism, television producing/reporting, artist development/media coaching and lecturing. The recipient of two academic scholarships, Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio, Television and Film, and graduated cum laude, from the Annenberg School of Communications at Temple University and has been honored with a Liberty Bell from Mayor John Street and the City of Philadelphia, as well as a citation from the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. Dyana is a member of SAG-AFTRA, NABFEME and serves on the board of governors for the Philadelphia chapter of NARAS (better known as The Recording Academy or the Grammy’s organization).
Her writing has graced the pages of Billboard, The Philadelphia Tribune, The Philadelphia New Observer. She’s been profiled in VIBE, Essence, Black Enterprise, Ebony, Jet, Upscale, Philadelphia Sun and The Philadelphia Weekly. Williams has been a featured guest on CNN where she was interviewed by Anderson Cooper, spotlighted on CNN Headline News as one of the top African American leaders in the country and appeared on PBS, MTV and The Tom Joyner Morning Show.
Over the last decade, Williams has expanded her portfolio to include celebrity strategy with a past and present roster of high profile individuals. Among them – Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Usher, Chris Brown, Black Card’s Pete Wentz, members of the Dave Matthews Band, The Zac Brown Band, four American Idols, one Housewife of Atlanta and numerous other luminaries – all who have benefited from her hands-on approach.
Williams has been a commentator on TV One’s NAACP Award winning music documentary series, Unsung, as well as a co-executive producer for the Teddy Pendergrass episode. She has also served as a consultant to media maven, Cathy Hughes’ show TV ONE ON ONE on the TV One network. Williams has also delved into the realm of documentary film with “Message in the Music: Gamble & Huff’s Sound of Philadelphia,” a project she’s producing with noted film maker/author, Nelson George.
Ever mindful of the importance of family, Williams is most proud of her role as mother to her three children from her former union with acclaimed producer and songwriter, Kenny Gamble – Caliph, Salahdeen and Princess Idia. Dyana Williams splits her time between her home in the Philadelphia area and her sanctuary in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans.
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