GRANVILLE -- The Denison College Republicans and the Denison Lecture Series groups are sponsoring the campus visit of Reginald Jones, a talk radio host who was voted "best speaker" at the 1999 National Conservative Student Conference. Jones will speak on "How Hip-Hop Beat the Welfare State" at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday (April 15) in Slayter Auditorium.

Jones was first exposed to the business of music during the birth and growth of rap music in his South Bronx neighborhood. After succeeding as a musician and singer, he joined MCA/Universal to learn the business side of the entertainment industry. Eventually he was promoted to the video department where he worked with such performers as Busy Bee, Patti Labelle and New Edition.

His first foray into radio was in 1988 when he became a "sidekick" to Terry Terrell, host of WNYU's "Pure Funk" show. By 1990 he had founded his own entertainment company which manages, promotes and publishes music. After meeting author Les Brown in 1994 and at his urging, Jones began a new career in public speaking. He joined the African-American leadership group, Project 21, becoming its lead spokesman.

In the years since then, Jones joined the Young America's Foundation lecture program eventually appearing on the Rush Limbaugh program. Jones landed his own national show "Grassroots Live" and in 1998 began hosting "Generation Now" on the Radio America Network.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575