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A resolution recognizing the 20th anniversary of What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay.
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WHEREAS, What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay is an award-winning empowerment and encouragement radio talk show that airs live twice weekly from JAZZY 88 WFSK studios at historic Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, December 2021 marked the milestone 20th anniversary of What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay, one of Nashville’s longest continuously running radio talk shows; and
WHEREAS, long-time media personality Sharon Kay was given a long-awaited opportunity to bring a new talk program to the African American audience on the then number one radio station in Nashville, which was no small task the in the corporate media world; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kay created the empowerment / encouragement concept, secured financial sponsorship, hosted, engineered, scheduled guests, and was executive producer of the show. What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay was the first talk show on WQQK, 92Q Cumulus Media, beginning on December 9, 2001 at 8:00 a.m.; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, management allowed the program to finally have a phone screener and technical engineer and Ms. Kay selected her 92Q co-worker Xuam “X-Man” Lawson for the task; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Sharon Kay moved to JAZZY 88 WFSK Fisk University, one of the oldest HBCU licensed stations in the nation, and was named the first woman General Manager, never missing a live show; and
WHEREAS, What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay has retained their business sponsorship for all 20 years; and
WHEREAS, over the last two decades on the air, What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay achieved multiple awards and recognition including the Best Talk Show Host in Nashville in 2004, the Urban Legend Award in 2004 for using the program to conduct a voter rights restoration campaign, the Nashville Metro Council Recognition and Resolution for Outstanding Community Service in 2005, and the Best Morning Drive Talk Show award in 2007; and
WHEREAS, What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay has gained a strong grassroots community connection by speaking truth to power and addressing emerging issues while bringing resources and knowledge to the community; and
WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, every Metro Nashville Mayor, Police Chief, Fire Department Chief, School Board Director, and a host of Councilmembers and elected officials from across the city have been guests on What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay to help keep the community informed; and
WHEREAS, throughout the show’s history, nationally recognized luminaries and historic figures have been interviewed to discuss pressing issues of concern for the African American community including the late Congressman John Lewis, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Jim Clyburn, former Congressman Charles Rangel, Senator Cory Booker, Rev. Joseph Lowery, former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Dorothy Height, Mary Frances Berry, Dick Gregory, Nikki Giovanni, Marian Wright Edelman, Hazel O’Leary, Dr. Cornel West, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Iyanla Vanzant, and Smokey Robinson; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kay is nationally respected as an enduring broadcaster and has spent the last 43 years in the multi-media industry, with nearly half of her career as producer and host of What’s the 411?; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council celebrates the 20th anniversary of What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay and wishes her many more years of continued success.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the 20th anniversary of What’s the 411? with Sharon Kay.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.