Co-President of Audio Division, Urban One
Search every verified Eddie Harrell interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Eddie Harrell, then regional vice president for Radio One, participated in a September 2020 virtual discussion titled "The Way Forward Leader Lunch Break" with Kevin Griffin of The Adcom Group. During the conversation, Harrell described how Radio One, whose stations target African-American audiences, used its platform during protests to promote peaceful demonstration and open phone lines for community expression. He said the company realized that discussions within its own audience were "preaching to the choir" and sought to engage outside listeners by organizing an unprecedented simulcast forum with all of Cleveland's radio partners on the same topic at the same time. Harrell stated that the forum was designed to bring participants together "with no sides" and to start conversations from "a place of commonality." He noted that the moderator was given full control over the questions to ensure a serious discussion, and that the conversation avoided partisan politics to maintain audience engagement. Harrell also said that some colleagues received negative feedback for addressing the subject, which he viewed as a positive sign that the conversation was meaningful. He argued that leaders must acknowledge systemic racism and inequities as a starting point for progress, and that those who do not recognize this risk being part of the problem.
“Historically our stations across the country are really targeted to African-Americans, so on any Radio One station you're going to hear hip-hop, R&B, gospel, or news talk primarily directed towards African American audiences. During the protests, we focused on promoting peaceful protest and used our platform as a vehic...”
“We realized that having the discussion with my audience was somewhat preaching to the choir, so we needed to engage those outside of that audience about what's going on and be part of a solution-based process. We imagined a day where all the radio partners in Cleveland would agree to do a simulcast forum on the same to...”
“We had to bring everyone to the table with no sides, so we could start conversations from a place of commonality. Our white friends were looking for a safe space to express their opinions, even if off-kilter, while our African-American friends were asking what comes next. This broad-based conversation was necessary to...”
“We gave Ramona Robinson full license to craft the questions and conversation as she saw fit because this was a serious topic. She was not giving softballs, and that allowed us to have a meaningful and challenging discussion with political leadership and community representatives.”
“Some of our colleagues received phone calls and emails that weren't all positive because the subject was dicey and made some people uncomfortable. But I see that as a positive because it means we were willing to have the conversation even if it wasn't well received by everyone.”
“Although we had elected officials on the show, we focused on facts rather than political policy leaning left or right. We avoided partisan conversation because if it became political, half of our audience would have dropped out, and that was not our goal.”
“If you believe diversity is good for business, then you must be willing to have difficult conversations within your own organization. Leadership starts at the top, and leaders must take the bull by the horns to address diversity and inclusion honestly and openly.”
“Our clients are feeling pressure from their internal stakeholders, especially employees, to clarify where they stand on issues related to mission, vision, and values. Principled leadership is required now more than ever, and corporations must listen to their employees and communicate their positions appropriately.”
“We approached our partners with the assumption that people would say yes rather than no, which helped us get quick agreement. We focused on what we were for, not what we were against, and checked our egos at the door to make this a true collaboration without anyone seeking credit.”
“Systemic racism and inequities do exist, and acknowledging that is the starting point for progress. Leaders who do not recognize this risk being part of the problem. Once acknowledged, leaders can challenge issues within their organizations, such as lack of diversity on boards or executive ranks, and take action throug...”
Eddie Harrell, Regional Vice President, Radio One Kevin Griffin, Senior Vice President, The Adcom Group Eddie and Kevin talked ...
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