Tom Joyner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Joyner
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Joyner (second from the left) in 2005
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Thomas Joyner
November 23, 1949 Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse(s) | Dora Chatmon (m. 1970s–div. 1996) |
| Children | 2 |
| Career | |
| Show | The Tom Joyner Morning Show |
| Style | |
| Country | United States |
Thomas "Tom" Joyner (born November 23, 1949) is a famous American radio host. He is also known as a musician and someone who helps others (a philanthropist). Tom Joyner used to host The Tom Joyner Morning Show, which was heard all over the country. He also started Reach Media Inc., The Tom Joyner Foundation, and BlackAmericaWeb.com.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tom Joyner was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. He came from a family that valued education. His grandfather, Oscar, was one of the few Black doctors in the United States in the early 1900s. Both of Tom's parents went to colleges that were started for Black students.
Tom and his brother, Albert, also attended Tuskegee Institute, which is now Tuskegee University. Tom studied sociology and joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. At first, he wanted to be a musician. He even joined a band called the Commodores with his college friend Lionel Richie. However, the band didn't make much money, so his family encouraged him to find another career.
Radio Career Highlights
Tom Joyner started his radio career right after college in Montgomery, Alabama. He worked at many radio stations in different cities like Dallas, Memphis, and St. Louis. In 1978, he moved to Chicago.
He worked at stations like WVON and WBMX-FM. Later, he joined WJPC (AM), which was owned by the company that published Jet and Ebony magazines. While at WJPC, Tom also hosted a TV show called Ebony/Jet Celebrity Showcase.
The "Fly Jock"
In 1983, Tom went back to Dallas to host a morning show. Two years later, he was offered an afternoon show in Chicago. Instead of choosing one, Tom decided to do both! For eight years, from 1985 to 1993, he flew between Dallas and Chicago every day. This earned him the nicknames "The Fly Jock" and "The Hardest Working Man in Radio." He traveled so much that he earned seven million frequent flyer miles!
The Tom Joyner Morning Show
In 1994, Tom Joyner started hosting a show that was broadcast across the country, called The Tom Joyner Morning Show. The show featured Tom, comedians, and commentators. They talked about news and sports, and played popular R&B songs. The show also had celebrity guests and live broadcasts from different locations, called "Sky Shows."
Tom Joyner announced his retirement in 2017. He officially retired from his morning show on December 13, 2019, after a long and successful career.
The Tom Joyner Show (TV)
In 2005, a TV show called The Tom Joyner Show was launched. It was a one-hour comedy and variety show. It featured comedy sketches, talent contests, and musical performances by famous artists like Patti LaBelle and Earth, Wind and Fire.
The show was very popular with African American viewers, even reaching the number one spot in some cities. However, it was expensive to produce because of all the musical guests. In May 2006, Tom decided not to continue the show. Reruns of the show can still be seen on the TV One cable channel.
The Tom Joyner Foundation
Tom Joyner used his popular radio show to start The Tom Joyner Foundation. The foundation's main goal is to help historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It helps students with scholarships and supports the schools themselves.
Since 1998, the foundation has raised over $65 million to help students stay in HBCUs. The foundation is proud to show donors exactly which schools and students receive their help. The Tom Joyner Foundation also hosts a yearly cruise called the Fantastic Voyage, which also raises money for HBCUs.
Scholarships
The foundation offers different scholarships to help students.
- The Hercules Scholarships
This scholarship is named after Tom Joyner's father. It helps male HBCU students. A $1500 scholarship is given out every Thursday to students chosen by the "School of the Month" program.
- Full Ride Scholarship
This special scholarship is given to one freshman entering an HBCU each year. It recognizes students who have excellent grades and good personal qualities.
Programs
The foundation also runs several programs to support education and community.
- Veterans Education Program
This program helps military veterans go to college. It helps them find classes, get counseling, and find support for things like housing and careers.
- Global Education
The foundation partners with the Semester at Sea program to offer scholarships for HBCU students to study abroad. This helps students get a global education and prepare for competitive job markets.
- Teacher Quality
This program helps HBCU students with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) become K-12 teachers.
- Art Legacy
The foundation celebrates the work of Black artists and their contributions to HBCUs and society. Their artwork is featured on the foundation's website.
Fantastic Voyage Cruise
The Fantastic Voyage cruise is an annual event hosted by The Tom Joyner Foundation. It's a fun way to raise money for HBCUs while enjoying music and entertainment.
Books and Other Media
In 2005, Tom Joyner published a book called I'm Just a DJ but ... It Makes Sense to Me. The book shares stories from his childhood and early radio days. It also includes his thoughts on HBCUs, the power of Black consumers, and fatherhood.
In 2009, he released Tom Joyner Presents How to Prepare for College. This book gives advice to parents and students about getting ready for college. Tom also appeared in a documentary called "Rising from the Rails: The Story of the Pullman Porter." This film talked about his family's history and the important values they passed down. His grandfather, Oscar "Doc" Joyner, was a Pullman porter who later became a medical doctor.
Tom Joyner has also appeared in a few movies, including The Gospel (2005) and Madea Goes to Jail (2009). He hosted the Ebony/Jet Showcase TV program in the early 1980s.
Personal Life
Tom Joyner has two sons, Thomas Jr. and Oscar, from his first marriage to Dora. He later married fitness expert Donna Richardson in 2000. They divorced in 2012. Tom Joyner is related to North Carolina Supreme Court justice John Hall. DNA analysis also shows he has ancestors from the Balanta people of Guinea-Bissau.
Helping Others
Tom Joyner is a strong supporter of helping people register to vote. He often encourages voter registration on his radio show and website. He also promotes "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" every year. On this day, he encourages families and friends to get health check-ups to prevent health problems. Tom also supported the Alzheimer's Association to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's research.
Awards and Recognition
Tom Joyner has received many awards for his work in radio and his efforts to help others.
- In 1998, he was the first African American to be inducted into The National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago, Illinois.
- On October 7, 2004, he received the NAB Marconi Radio Award.
- On January 12, 2008, he was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
- On August 17, 2013, Joyner was inducted into The Official R&B Music Hall of Fame.
- On June 28, 2015, he received the Humanitarian Award at the 2015 BET Awards for his charitable work.
