Sirius XM Radio’s HBCU Channel Adds FAMU

Photo by Christal Searcy
School of Journalism and Graphic Communications Dean Ann W. Kimbrough posed with journalism students and alumni at “FAMU Now!” launch event.

By Christal Searcy

Outlook Writer

The Florida A&M School of Journalism and Graphic Communications hosted a launch event for its new partnership with HBCU 142, a channel on Sirius XM, and its new radio show, “FAMU Now!” on June 17.

The HBCU Channel on Sirius channel 142 delivers a wide range of programming that showcases the black-college experience. The shows range in content, including music and talk show formats that cover educational, cultural and entertainment topics.

Besides FAMU, the additional participating schools are Howard, American Baptist College, Hampton, Jackson State, Prairie View A&M, Virginia State and Tennessee State. Each university provides weekly talk radio programs that air on the HBCU Channel.

Sirius XM Radio’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities channel partnered with Howard University in 2014. At that time, Jay Holloway, the HBCU Channel director predicted additional schools would be added to the channel.

“We believe there’s plenty of programming time within a weekly schedule to accommodate the more than 100 historically Black schools,” Holloway said.

“This is a tremendous opportunity not only for the entire university but especially for our School of Journalism students and alumni,” said School of Journalism and Graphic Communications Dean Ann W. Kimbrough. “With 27.7 million subscribers, Sirius XM provides a platform for our students and alumni to showcase the talent, training and skills our university produces.”

Some members of the Tallahassee media have already been given a promo of what to expect on “FAMU Now!” The promo features the Marching 100, Tallahassee mayor (and FAMU alumnus) Andrew Gillum and FAMU President Elmira Mangum. All of this will only be available to Sirius XM Radio subscribers.

“The show will provide new opportunities for our stakeholders and supporters to engage with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University,” said Magnum. “For the first time, every week, no matter where you are in the country, you can tune in and share with us the great things that are happening at FAMU every day.”

Each segment will be 30 minutes long and will give an insider look of news features and topics from a Rattler perspective. FAMU School of Journalism students and alumni will handle the production.

Journalism students welcome the opportunity.

“People have their perceptions about the school (FAMU) and we’re just trying to make sure that everyone has a clear understanding,” said Keta Browning, a senior broadcast journalism student.

FAMU alumni Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum likes the concept.

“With students and recent alumni working to create, write, host, and produce the show, it is truly an achievement not only for FAMU, but also for the city of Tallahassee,” Gillum said in a press release. “This team of young professionals are dedicated to broadcasting not only the ‘what’s happening now’ at FAMU, but also in Tallahassee, giving a national audience a fresh Rattler perspective.”