The Tavis Smiley Show

The host brings an energetic new voice to 91FM
By Mary Eileen O'Connor

Tavis Smiley is more than just a talented up-and-comer. He is a force: a skilled, experienced and thoughtful interviewer, best-selling author, philanthropist, mover and shaker, television host and community leader.

Now, Smiley is bringing his considerable presence to public radio. The Tavis Smiley Show, airing weeknights at 8 p.m. on WHYY 91FM (90.9) beginning this month, is opening up the airwaves to new voices and new perspectives on the world around us.

"We'll cover everything -- politics, money, relationships, race, class, culture and more. If it's being discussed -- or better yet, if it's not -- we'll be talking about it," Smiley says. Not only is its host high profile, the program is also the first new, daily show produced by National Public Radio since Talk of the Nation launched in 1991 and is the first to originate from the West Coast.

The Tavis Smiley Show features a number of regularly appearing guests including Cornel West, Harvard University philosophy of religion professor; Omar Wasow, technology guru and executive director of blackplanet.com; Michael Eric Dyson, author and DePaul University religious studies professor; and Johnetta Cole, former president of Spelman College.

In addition, regular contributors to the program include television sportscaster George Johnson and columnist/political analyst Arianna Huffington. On Fridays, the program features lighter segments, with guests such as comedians Paul Mooney and Sheryl Underwood offering humorous takes on current events.

Smiley is the acclaimed former host of BET Tonight on Black Entertainment Television and is the author of five books, most recently, How to Make Black America Better, a clarion call to African-Americans to take control of their own destiny. He recently visited Philadelphia to moderate the forum "Where Do We Go From Here: Black America's Vision for Healing, Harmony and Higher Ground."

Here, the passionate and energetic personality talks about his new radio program:

Q: Why did you choose to host a daily show for NPR and its member stations instead of doing a commercial radio show?

A: For as long as I have listened to NPR, I have been enlightened, encouraged and empowered by the information which comes forth. As an author, I have appeared on NPR a number of times and have come to appreciate what being heard over NPR can mean. I appreciate having the opportunity to have my voice heard over a number of communication outlets, but none is more important or more vital than NPR.

Q: How will your NPR show be different from your other radio projects?

A: My other radio outlets allow me to voice my own opinions, personal and political. The NPR show allows me the chance to probe others about their feelings, beliefs, ideas and passions. Not unlike the listener, _I enjoy the opportunity to listen and learn as well.

Q: For those who haven't yet heard the show, how would you describe it?

A: It is a program that I hope will enlighten, encourage, empower, and yes, entertain those who tune in. Through a creative and interesting mix of interviews, essays, profiles, commentaries and news, we hope to inform our audience in the true NPR tradition.

Q: What do you want listeners to "take away" from listening to your show?

A: A greater sense of awareness, understanding, and appreciation.

Q: You're often cited as a role model but to whom do you look for advice or as an example?

A: My faith. My family. My friends.

The Tavis Smiley Show airs weekdays at 8 p.m. on WHYY 91FM. More information on the program can be found at www.whyy.org/91FM.