We celebrate the magical legacy of a radio legend today, this first Saturday of Black History Month… Washington D.C.-based veteran talk show host, civil rights activist and Radio Hall of Famer Joe Madison, known as “The Black Eagle,” passed away this week of prostate cancer. He was an essential voice in black radio, most recently working on SiriusXM's Urban View until his passing.
Mr. Madison was known for asking the question, “What are you going to do about it?” And he took that question to heart himself… before his radio career, he was the youngest NAACP Detroit national director at the age of 24, set the Guinness World Record in 2015 for the longest on-air broadcast at 52 hours and made history that same year when he was the first American radio host in 50 years to broadcast live from Cuba.
He also went on a 73-day hunger strike to encourage passage of voting rights bills and a few months later, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act passed in the Senate. President Biden paid tribute to him on social media, saying “Joe Madison was the voice of a generation.” He was 74 years old.
Remember to always celebrate your magic! xo