Relatively new, Beaufort-based 'Gullah Peoples Radio' has learned how to listen to the community
It may sound like any other radio station at first blush, but listen closely and you'll soon hear the difference.
"Gooood afternoon. ...This is Gullah Peoples Radio. ...Hope all of you are having a wonderful afternoon," says Dee Dee Green, "the Midday Queen" who, wearing headphones and monitoring several computer screens, moves smoothly through her "Classic Soul and R&B" show with all the skill and finesse of a big city disc jockey.
But this isn't another big city radio station.
It's the Gullah Peoples Radio, or WKWQ 100.7.
Green's midday show isn't the only program the relatively-new, Beaufort-based radio station offers.
"And that's the difference," says Jabari Moketsi, the station's volunteer program manager. "This is truly community-based radio."
Housed in a small studio on the second floor of the Regions Bank building overlooking Robert Smalls Parkway, the all-volunteer radio station started as an Internet broadcast about two years ago and has only been on the air as an FM station for about four months.
In addition to Green's Soul and R&B show, the station offers a morning gospel show, several talk or issue-oriented shows, news at the top of the hour, and local artists. You're just as likely to hear Lowcountry-based "The Gullah Kinfolk" as you are Bob Marley or Sam Cooke.
But the story of how "Gullah-Geechee Radio" came to be is almost as interesting as the eclectic mix of music it plays.
After theLocal Community Radio Act of 2010 was passed, the Federal Communications Commission opened the window to community-based radio stations to apply for "low-power FM" licenses. That opening had not been seen -- much to the chagrin of community groups and radio activists -- in over a decade. But when the window finally did open, the Gullah Peoples Radio leapt through, Moketsi says.
The station's parent non-profit, the S.C. Lowcountry Gullah Peoples' Movement had for a longtime wanted to launch a radio station. So in 2014, after an arduous four-year application process, WKWQ received its official FCC status and Gullah Peoples Radio was ready to go live.
The station, in fact, was one of several thousand community-based radio stations -- from schools to nonprofits to churches, libraries, arts organizations and wide range others -- to suddenly appear like so many lights across what had been a darker FM dial.
Moketsi says his station may only be licensed to broadcast about five or six miles out, but when the weather is clear, the Gullah Peoples Radio can be heard throughout Beaufort County.
"It depends on good days," he says, laughing. "We may go to St. Helena, all over Ladys Island but we concentrate on Northern Beaufort County."
A retired radio employee who moved around the country and also served in the U.S. Army, Moketsi had a lifelong interest in radio and the role community stations in particular can play. The opening of the airwaves to small radio stations was truly a win for communities -- not in just Beaufort -- but everywhere, he says.
"When you look at the fact that about five corporations own about 90 percent of all radio stations in America, that tells you the local communities are underserved," he says. "They broadcast syndicated programs but what does that have to do with the local community?"
Gullah Peoples Radio may be the new kid on the block, but it has already made a big splash in the community.
The station recently served as the storytelling hub for the annual Lands End Woodland River Festival held on St. Helena Island. Participants who were either at the festival or were unable to attend called in to share stories of what life was like growing up on the island.
"I think they are a doing a great service for this community," says Rosalyn Browne, Lands End board member and one of the festival's coordinators.
"Also, I love listening to the gospel music, but they play a variety of music," she says. "It's a good mix."
On another occasion U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford stopped by to talk about issues on listener's minds.
He was followed some days later by state Rep. Kenneth Hodges, campaigning to fill the District 45 seat.
Four months in, the station continues to focus on the community.
"Our push is three fold," Moketsi says. "Entertainment, education and information. Anytime of the day, you'll see us involved in one of these areas."
On his and the five-member boards' wish list would be to have more local experts, whether it's a lawyer who gives legal advice or a car salesman who talks about what to look for when buying a vehicle.
"If anyone has an idea for a program that will benefit the community, please, step forward," he says.
Because sometimes it's more about listening rather than talking or playing music -- even for a radio station.
"We have learned how to listen to the people," he says. "We let the community tell us what to program."
How to listen
Outside the listening area? You can still listen along to Gullah Peoples Radio at: gullahradio.net.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
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This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Relatively new, Beaufort-based 'Gullah Peoples Radio' has learned how to listen to the community."