The Urban Network Convention

African-American Broadcasters that have come up since after the 1996 telecommunications bill was signed by Mr. Clinton that allowed mega-corporations to buy out most of the Black Owned radio stations, really missed some good radio times. Prior to the major change in ownership rules, Black Radio flourished.

It was not uncommon to have three to five Black-owned radio stations in one city. The term "across the street" was a popular phrase that meant the other Black Owned radio stations in the same market. Going "across the street" to work, meant that you got a better deal on a competing radio station.

Also not uncommon were the many Black Radio and Music Conventions prior to 1996. The major two were the "Family Affair" and "Black Radio Exclusive Magazine" Conventions. But there were other Black Radio, Black Music, and Associations gatherings that had their own appeal throughout the year. Simply put: There were more African-Americans in the Radio and Music industry back then, as there were a lot more Black-Owned Radio stations and Black-Operated promotions department in the Music Industry. The late Jack the Rapper's "Family Affair", and Sidney Miller's BRE Conventions continued to survive and grew because the others failed. The over-crowding of these two successful events though, turned into a few memorable moments that we want to forget. Jack was a passionate and extremely busy Broadcaster that should not have had to endure this as many folks that he helped along the way. Jack lived his last days happily with family in Las Vegas.

The issue now though is that there's not as many African-Americans in radio and in music promotions as there used to be, in order to sustain a profitable and effective convention. NABOB used to have their management seminars on islands, but not anymore because of cancellation due to lack of attendance. NABOB's annual dinner in Washington DC is still a big success, which also combines the management seminars. NABOB is not open to all level of Broadcasters though due to the expense. NABOB primarily is for upper management and owners. NABOB's dinner this Spring is 650-dollars in Washington DC. Travel, hotel, car, and registration for an out-of-towner could easily cost 1500 dollars. But believe me, it is worth it. I Rock the Mic convention is a new convention held annually in Miami, but a few that went last year, said that this year's convention was a bit more costly than last years and they did not return.

The Urban Network Magazine Convention in Southern California is this weekend, and has been a consistent affordable presence every year since it began in 1990. The Urban Network Magazine and convention was introduced to me by Jerry Boulding, when I worked at KGFJ in Los Angeles in 1990. Boulding was then a writer for the magazine and one of the organizers for the Urban Network's first convention in 1990. The first Urban Network convention was held at the Stouffer's Hotel by the Los Angeles Airport. From that first professional presentation -- Boulding made sure of it -- I returned each and every year to the Los Angeles-based convention until moving to Washington DC in 1996 to work at Radio One (Jerry Boulding referred me to that job in DC).

I was reading the Urban Buzz -- a website and pdf publication -- and ran across one of the icons in the Broadcast Business. He was often a moderator and/or panelist at all of the "hey-day" Black Radio and Music conventions. I am speaking of the legendary Vinny Brown. Since I have been going to conventions (beginning in the early 1980's), if I saw Vinny Brown on the program at a seminar I would circle the time and day of his session making sure that I would be their front and center. The same can be said for Barry Mayo, Elroy Smith, Charles Warfield, Percy Sutton, Cathy Hughes, the late Frankie Crocker, Tom Joyner, Jerry Boulding, Tony Gray, and Jeff Foxx. It was Jeff Foxx that gave me my very first nationally Syndication deal with SJS Entertainment at the 1993 Urban Network Convention. What stumped me while reading through the Urban Buzz was a quote by Vinny Brown. Vinny stated that the Urban Network was the last true Black Radio/Music conventions left and encouraged everyone to support it.



This week through the weekend, the Urban Network will be at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills, in suburban Los Angeles. I plan to attend and you should come on board. And judging from the multi-media seminars with experts in each field, a lifetime achievement award presented to Berry Gordy, Danny Glover hosting a dinner, Vinny Brown will be on a panel, and networking with you, I know that I will take a great deal away from the Urban Network...again.

The Urban Network is one of those conventions that you make sure the annual tradition continues. NABOB (though expensive) must also remain a force, and so should the Urban Network. Registration for the Urban Network is just 200-dollars. I hope that you can attend and keep the Urban Network alive.

Here is the link for the 19th annual Urban Network convention: http://www.urbannetwork.com/summit/index.html