KELIA KARSON
Instructor

Kelia was born and raised in Detroit. This is where her family realized she had a gift. As a child she sang, danced, and starred in many plays and musicals. She was the first African-American child to star in a musical at Detroit’s famed Music Hall. But it was at Bishop Borgess High School that she really found her calling. She became one of the first African Americans to take state and national honors on the forensics speech team.

After high school she studied radio and television communications at Oakland Community College and at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. Upon graduating in the top of her class as the most likely to succeed, she went right to work as news producer/reporter for WOW-FM (“WOW”) in Detroit.

Since then, her career has been non-stop! After leaving WOW, she went on to become a news director/on-air personality for Tower 98 in Monroe. This prepared her for WMXD-Mix92.3, where she was co-host and producer for the morning show. From there, she moved to Toledo, Ohio and was news director and co-host at Mix 95.7 WIMX. Kelia went to the rival station WJUC 107.3 “The Juice” as the evening personality. Her show was called “Slow Jammin”; it featured a poetry night, hot topics as well as requests and dedications. Her show was consistently ranked #1 or #2 in its time slot. She says that what the listeners appreciated about her show was her ability to relate to them and their lives because simply put “WE ALL HAVE SITUATIONS AND ISSUES” that we want to share and resolve!

Kelia was also a successful television host and producer. As the Kids Club host for FOX 36 WUPW in Toledo, she was considered one of the most popular women in Northwest Ohio. And with more than 40 thousand Kids Club members, Kelia was the #1 Kids Club Host in the United States and a recipient of the FOX Television Network “Monument Award.” She was recognized nationally for the joy she brought to children. Kelia was also a weathercaster for WNWO, NBC channel 24, in Ohio before returning home to Michigan.

Kelia returned home three years ago and became a producer/reporter for WWJ 950 AM. Currently, she is an on-air personality at WDMK 105.9 Kiss-FM. She also stays busy producing, doing voiceovers, public relations, and passing along her knowledge as an instructor at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts.

What would students be surprised to know about you? That I like to be quiet. I am a home body who loves quiet. And to this day I still get butterflies on the first time I do my first break at a new station.

Favorite Radio station: Is WMXD MIX 92.3, Kiss 102.7, and WWJ is also a favorite of mine.

What is your favorite format of radio? Urban AC is my favorite format but I listen to all kinds of music and I can appreciate something about any type of radio/TV station.

Favorite air personality: MIX 92.3'S Gerald McBride is my all time favorite on-air personality. It was a great joy to work alongside him at The Mix -- now he pays me to do voiceovers. Great! I also have to give honorable mention to Frankie Darcell at MIX 92.3 and Karen Dinkins at WWJ.

Kelia's headshot

What is the primary reason you listen to the radio? I listen to the radio for every reason imaginable: to relax, to be informed, to laugh, to cry, to escape.

What song do you wish would disappear from radio? There are lots of songs that make me want to cut off my ears ... but "don't worry, be happy" just did me in. I know we have to face life's challenges and have a stiff upper lip ... but come on, sometimes a good cry or a screaming session can make it all better.

What do you think is the coolest job off the air? Producing is the coolest off air position. When you put all the ingredients into making a show work and it comes to life in a positive way ... OH! PURE MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would you pay for satellite radio? Yes, I would pay for satellite radio. Times have changed and I am about moving forward and accepting new challenges within our industry. Some industry folks are afraid satellite radio will put all the local stations out of business. THAT'S RIDICULOUS. We'll go through the growing pains and then we'll learn to live with one another understanding the value of each medium.

Favorite radio promotion: One of the best radio promotions I've ever heard was actually one I've seen. Simply: J.P. on JR in the A.M. It's been quite a few years since J.P. passed away but I'll always remember that promotion campaign. KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID AT IT'S BEST.

Most memorable radio commercial: "WJLB Strong Songs" … They had this huge fist coming through the JLB logo ... REAL CHEESY. It worked though because here it is 15-years since they ran that ad and I am talking about it. FOR THE RECORD … RADIO IS NOT KNOWN FOR THEIR GREAT TELEVISION ADS … LOL!!!!!!!

What do all successful DJ's seem to have in common?A Decent DJ comes to work prepared with all the news and current events of the day ... Has a positive attitude and is ready to entertain. A good DJ does all the above and cares about the listener. A GRRRRRREAT DJ DOES ALL THE ABOVE AND IS A GOOD LISTENER.

Who would you most like to interview? If I could interview anyone it would be ... funny, I can't think of any one person who interests me more than another ... I guess everyone is interesting to me and we all have a story. Maybe I'll interview you. Yes you the person reading about me. What would you tell me about yourself?