Apr 20, 2023 Broadcast Legend Shelley Stewart Launches Podcast, Becoming The Oldest Podcaster In The U.S. At 88 years young, media executive and broadcast legend Dr. Shelley Stewart announces the launch of the podcast, "Shelley's Plumbline ." The show blends fresh commentary from Dr. Stewart with clips from his archive of more than 3,000 shows spanning his 53-year career in radio broadcasting. Stewart hopes the podcast will open channels of communication and understanding while searching for truth on tough social topics. Stewart’s storied career includes spending more than fifty years behind the microphone and over 70 years as a champion of human rights. His career includes time as a radio personality, where he helped the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders disseminate key planning information about demonstrations. As a TV talk show host, he openly discusses tough topics with the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan. He eventually became the owner of the radio station WATV and the advertising agency o2ideas. Stewart also authored two books, The Road South: A Memoir and Mattie C.'s Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story , which retells his life story in vivid detail, following his beginning as a homeless child at seven years of age to his rise to business success. Shelley hopes the podcast will have a tangible impact on communities, the nation, and the world, as it plumbs for the truths in the midst of society’s most challenging problems. "You see, there is this side, that side, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle," said Stewart. After listening to several shows from the archive, Stewart and his production team couldn’t help but notice the irony that 30 to 40 years after their original broadcast date, society still faces similar challenges today. While controversial issues, such as human rights, gender equality, AIDS, youth, and homelessness, remain top world problems, Shelley's Plumbline will acknowledge the similarities and differences between the past and present and lead the audience to thoughtful introspection while providing resources for those interested in pursuing more knowledge and solutions to these challenging issues. But that's not all. "We have interviews with legends, such as Eddie Kendricks, Fred Shuttlesworth, Hosea Williams, and Steve Harvey,” said Dr. Stewart. “Some episodes will share oldies, but goldies hits, and some will even explore comedy," he said. “We want to connect with people and keep our listeners engaged whether we are discussing tough topics or the golden age of Motown." Shelley's Plumbline premieres April 20 on Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio and will release episodes weekly on Wednesdays. Read More Mar 4, 2023 Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement Born in the early 1930s in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Shelley Stewart became a major voice in the fight for civil rights. When Stewart was a teenager, his gift for speaking earned him a spot as a radio talk show host, incredibly, for that time in history, at a white-owned station. Yet his popularity continued to grow, landing him gigs as a disc jockey and an emcee for other stations and at popular event venues in the Birmingham area and further afield. Stewart eventually became co-owner of station WATV-AM, and in the 1960s during the height of the civil rights movement, he used his platform and influence to support numerous activists and equal rights causes. Read More Feb 1, 2023 At Age 88, Birmingham Radio Legend Shelley Stewart: ‘I Ain’t Tired Yet It’s an unseasonably warm January morning, and Dr. Shelley Stewart is sitting in his home office in Shelby County, Alabama. At first glance, the space looks like an ordinary room with books on shelves, papers on a desk, and a file cabinet against a wall. But this room holds a wealth of mementos that demonstrate why Stewart is an icon in Birmingham and beyond. Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart was the radio voice for the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, became co-owner of the city’s WATV-AM, and co-founded o2ideas, an award-winning full-service advertising agency based in the Magic City. To many, Stewart is a Civil Rights Foot Soldier and radio great. But Stewart, who spent his childhood living in basements and barns, doesn’t see himself that way. “I’m that same little homeless street kid even to this day—no more, no less,” said Stewart, 88. Read More Oct 28, 2022 City of Birmingham hosts annual AWAKEN celebration honoring Dr. Shelley Stewart The city of Birmingham will honor civil rights leader, veteran radio broadcaster and advertising executive Dr. Shelley Stewart during its annual “AWAKEN Birmingham” event this Friday. Held during the week of the Magic City Classic, AWAKEN celebrates the legacy of community leaders and activists who have shaped the city of Birmingham. Read More Jul 18, 2022 Winnowed by the Hardships of His Youth, This Top Ad Executive is Now an Advocate for Keeping Kids in Schoollogy can help curb attention disorders Shelley Stewart was 6 years old when he watched his alcoholic father, Huell Jerome Sr., kill his mother, Mattie C., at their Rosedale home in Alabama. This was back in 1939, and there was never an investigation. Shelley ran away shortly after and became homeless. A family took him in to live in their basement, and he remained in school at Rosedale Elementary. Mamie Foster, his first-grade teacher, told him what would turn his life around: “If you learn how to read, you can be anything you want to be.” Shelley did well in school and became a successful radio DJ, hanging out with BB King, Nat King Cole, and Odis Redding. During the ’60s, the outspoken radio star became a target for the KKK. They spray-painted his studio with death threats, but Shelley continued the fight. In 1967, his friend Cy Steiner asked him to partner with him. They started O2ideas, which became one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. Read More Plumbline News Room

Portfolio

< Back Broadcast Legend Shelley Stewart Launches Podcast, Becoming The Oldest Podcaster In The U.S. Corlette Stewart Apr 20, 2023 At 88 years young, media executive and broadcast legend Dr. Shelley Stewart announces the launch of the podcast, "Shelley's Plumbline ." The show blends fresh commentary from Dr. Stewart with clips from his archive of more than 3,000 shows spanning his 53-year career in radio broadcasting. Stewart hopes the podcast will open channels of communication and understanding while searching for truth on tough social topics. Stewart’s storied career includes spending more than fifty years behind the microphone and over 70 years as a champion of human rights. His career includes time as a radio personality, where he helped the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders disseminate key planning information about demonstrations. As a TV talk show host, he openly discusses tough topics with the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan. He eventually became the owner of the radio station WATV and the advertising agency o2ideas. Stewart also authored two books, The Road South: A Memoir and Mattie C.'s Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story , which retells his life story in vivid detail, following his beginning as a homeless child at seven years of age to his rise to business success. Shelley hopes the podcast will have a tangible impact on communities, the nation, and the world, as it plumbs for the truths in the midst of society’s most challenging problems. "You see, there is this side, that side, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle," said Stewart. After listening to several shows from the archive, Stewart and his production team couldn’t help but notice the irony that 30 to 40 years after their original broadcast date, society still faces similar challenges today. While controversial issues, such as human rights, gender equality, AIDS, youth, and homelessness, remain top world problems, Shelley's Plumbline will acknowledge the similarities and differences between the past and present and lead the audience to thoughtful introspection while providing resources for those interested in pursuing more knowledge and solutions to these challenging issues. But that's not all. "We have interviews with legends, such as Eddie Kendricks, Fred Shuttlesworth, Hosea Williams, and Steve Harvey,” said Dr. Stewart. “Some episodes will share oldies, but goldies hits, and some will even explore comedy," he said. “We want to connect with people and keep our listeners engaged whether we are discussing tough topics or the golden age of Motown." Shelley's Plumbline premieres April 20 on Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio and will release episodes weekly on Wednesdays. Read More Previous Article Next Article

< Back Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement Brian Jewell Mar 4, 2023 Born in the early 1930s in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Shelley Stewart became a major voice in the fight for civil rights. When Stewart was a teenager, his gift for speaking earned him a spot as a radio talk show host, incredibly, for that time in history, at a white-owned station. Yet his popularity continued to grow, landing him gigs as a disc jockey and an emcee for other stations and at popular event venues in the Birmingham area and further afield. Stewart eventually became co-owner of station WATV-AM, and in the 1960s during the height of the civil rights movement, he used his platform and influence to support numerous activists and equal rights causes. Read More Previous Article Next Article

< Back At Age 88, Birmingham Radio Legend Shelley Stewart: ‘I Ain’t Tired Yet Jamaica Harris Bowser For The Birmingham Times Feb 1, 2023 It’s an unseasonably warm January morning, and Dr. Shelley Stewart is sitting in his home office in Shelby County, Alabama. At first glance, the space looks like an ordinary room with books on shelves, papers on a desk, and a file cabinet against a wall. But this room holds a wealth of mementos that demonstrate why Stewart is an icon in Birmingham and beyond. Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart was the radio voice for the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, became co-owner of the city’s WATV-AM, and co-founded o2ideas, an award-winning full-service advertising agency based in the Magic City. To many, Stewart is a Civil Rights Foot Soldier and radio great. But Stewart, who spent his childhood living in basements and barns, doesn’t see himself that way. “I’m that same little homeless street kid even to this day—no more, no less,” said Stewart, 88. Read More Previous Article Next Article

< Back Winnowed by the Hardships of His Youth, This Top Ad Executive is Now an Advocate for Keeping Kids in Schoollogy can help curb attention disorders Karim Shamsi-Basha for American Essence Jul 18, 2022 Shelley Stewart was 6 years old when he watched his alcoholic father, Huell Jerome Sr., kill his mother, Mattie C., at their Rosedale home in Alabama. This was back in 1939, and there was never an investigation. Shelley ran away shortly after and became homeless. A family took him in to live in their basement, and he remained in school at Rosedale Elementary. Mamie Foster, his first-grade teacher, told him what would turn his life around: “If you learn how to read, you can be anything you want to be.” Shelley did well in school and became a successful radio DJ, hanging out with BB King, Nat King Cole, and Odis Redding. During the ’60s, the outspoken radio star became a target for the KKK. They spray-painted his studio with death threats, but Shelley continued the fight. In 1967, his friend Cy Steiner asked him to partner with him. They started O2ideas, which became one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. Read More Previous Article Next Article

Season 2: SEASON 2: EPISODE 1 Eddie Kendrick's Last Interview SEASON 2: EPISODE 2 Finding Musical Talent On The Chitlin' Circuit SEASON 2: EPISODE 3 The Evolution of Black Media, Part 1 SEASON 2: EPISODE 4 The Evolution of Black Media, Part 2 SEASON 2: EPISODE 5 I Love The Skin I'm In SEASON 2: EPISODE 6 Life After Prison: An Interview With Julius Davis SEASON 2: EPISODE 7 From Running Track To Running Drugs: An Interview With Orlando Jones SEASON 2: EPISODE 8 The Persistent Problem of Colorism SEASON 2: EPISODE 9 Free By Choice: Prison Inmates Share Their Personal Stories SEASON 2: EPISODE 9 The Plantation Ghost Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Learn More Book For Speaking Engagements EMAIL: CORLETTE@SHELLEYSPLUMBLINE.COM PR & PODCAST ENQUIRIES BUSINESS & SPEAKING ENQUIRIES PRESS EVENTS

In 1989, two gang members from the Birmingham area approached Shelley and asked to be on his show, "Open Mic." While the nature of gang life has changed between 1989 and 2023, there are a surprising number of things that are still in common. In fact, you might be surprised to discover the backgrounds of many gang members are not what you think. Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Series In 1989, two gang members from the Birmingham area approached Shelley and asked to be on his show, "Open Mic." They wanted to share their experiences about the myths and realities of gang life and share their regrets over the youth they lost while acting as members of a gang. Ironically, the mother of one of the gang members heard her son on the show and came in the following morning to share her feelings and warnings with other parents. While the nature of gang life has changed between 1989 and 2023, there are a surprising number of things that are still in common. In fact, you might be surprised to discover the backgrounds of many gang members are not what you think. Dr. Shelley Stewart,, The Choice Bus SEASON ONE EPISODE 7:YOUTH GANGS & DRUG DEALERS PART 1 SEASON ONE EPISODE 8:YOUTH GANGS & DRUG DEALERS PART 2 SEASON ONE EPISODE 8:YOUTH GANGS & DRUG DEALERS PART 3 Click An Icon Below To Listen To Podcast Dive Deeper National Gang Center The National Gang Center (NGC) is a project funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The NGC is an integral component of the Justice Department’s mission to provide innovative leadership in coordination with federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems to prevent and reduce crime. The NGC disseminates information, knowledge, and outcome‐driven practices that engage and empower those in local communities with chronic and emerging gang problems to create comprehensive solutions to prevent gang violence, reduce gang involvement, and suppress gang‐related crime. Read More Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Gang Violence Prevention To address youth gangs, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) supports a range of programs and activities designed to prevent and suppress gang violence and recruitment. In FY 2019 , OJJDP awarded $7.4 million to support communities as they work to deter and suppress gang activity and provide services and treatment to victims of gang-related violence and crime. OJJDP provided direct funding to support the coordination of gang suppression efforts and activities by prosecutorial and law enforcement agencies; to reduce gang activity by focusing on strategies to disrupt recruitment and incentivize desistance by supporting programs that offer alternative support mechanisms for youth Read More Gangs in America's Communities Gangs in America's Communities, Third Edition blends theory with current research to help readers identify essential features associated with youth violence and gangs, as well as apply strategies for gang control and prevention. Authors Dr. James C. Howell and Dr. Elizabeth Griffiths introduce readers to theories of gang formation, illustrate various ways of defining and classifying gangs, and discuss national trends in gang presence and gang-related violence across American cities. They also offer evidence-based strategies for positioning communities to prevent, intervene, and address gang activity. New to the Third Edition: A series of new case studies document the evolution of numerous gangs in large cities, including the community aspect, evolutionary nature, and how cities influence levels of violence. New discussions highlighting the role of social media, insights into how gangs use it to recruit members, and the response from law enforcement. Current nationwide gang trends are discussed to encourage readers to analyze and interpret the most recent statistics for which representative data is available. Updated macro and micro gang theories enable readers to explore a recent encapsulation of leading developmental models. New discussions around female gang members offer readers potentially effective programs for discouraging females from joining gangs—along with highly regarded delinquency prevention and reduction programs that have the potency to be effective in reducing gang crimes among young women. A comprehensive gang prevention, intervention, and suppression program in Multnomah County, Oregon shows how theory was successfully applied to reduce gang activity in a local community. New research on “gang structures” and their rates of crime illustrate the connections between violent crimes and the amount of violent offenders within a gang. Additional discussion of distinguishing features (e.g., typologies) of major gangs, and numerous examples of gang symbols, tattoos, and graffiti has been added to help readers identify and differentiate various types of gangs. KEY FEATURES: Quotes from real-life gang members are threaded throughout the book, providing the reader with a more personal perspective. Comprehensive coverage of gang origins, definitions, national trends, significance, assessment, and prevention provide readers with a foundational understanding of gangs. Compelling Case studies demonstrate the practical applications of the theories being discussed and encourage classroom discussion. Coverage of prison gangs and gender/ethnicity topics differentiates various ways to approach gang related issues such as the unique treatment needs, implications for prevention, and recommended services for female gang members. All-inclusive survey data published by the National Gang Center presents national and localized perspectives on gang trends, providing insight into topics such as female gangs, migration of gang members, small-town gangs versus the major adult gangs in large cities, gang homicides and drug trafficking The text covers both basic research (on causes and correlations of gang involvement) and applied research (what works and what doesn’t in combating gangs) to get readers to critically access the unique situation of gang activity within a particular community. Research summaries and historical perspectives help provide context for the reader and improve their critical thinking skills. Rent or Purchase eBook or Paperback National Gang Center YouTube Channel Knowing The Past Opens The Door To The Future: The Continuing Importance of Black History Month A project to support reductions in gang crime and violence. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NGC and its funders. The YouTube Channel features videos, webinar series, and podcast audio. Watch Or Listen Now

May 28th Client: Beyond the Frame Year: 2022 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Previous Next

Espinas Mezcal Ad Client: Espinas Year: 2022 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Previous Next

Season 1: SEASON 1: EPISODE 1 Internalized Racism SEASON 1: EPISODE 2 Should We End Black History Month? SEASON 1: EPISODE 3 Did Dr. M. L. King's Dream Become A Nightmare? SEASON 1: EPISODE 4 Homelessness SEASON 1: EPISODE 5 Hate Crimes SEASON 1: EPISODE 6 Is There A Need For HBCUs? SEASON 1: EPISODE 7 Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers SEASON 1: EPISODE 8 Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Part 2 SEASON 1: EPISODE 9 Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Part 3 SEASON 1: EPISODE 10 Interview With Jim Porter, Former NRA President Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Learn More Book For Speaking Engagements EMAIL: CORLETTE@SHELLEYSPLUMBLINE.COM PR & PODCAST ENQUIRIES BUSINESS & SPEAKING ENQUIRIES PRESS EVENTS