Just a month shy of its first anniversary, Tavis Smiley and Smiley Audio Media, Inc. are excited to announce KBLA’s new show, “A More Perfect Union,” hosted by journalist, educator, and KBLA Talk 1580 Chief National Political Analyst Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey. (PRONOUNCED first name: Knee-QUART-tah-lie and last name: CORE-tay).
Beginning Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 10 a.m. PT to 12 p.m. PT , this two-hour national public affairs program, executive produced by Smiley, will feature notable journalists, industry leaders, lawmakers, changemakers, tastemakers, and ordinary people motivated to do their part to reach beyond today’s divisions; make sense out of news of the day; and offer listeners a chance to build a more perfect union.
“A More Perfect Union” promises to deliver national news of consequence, informed opinion and analysis beyond the headlines. Every Sunday, KBLA Talk 1580 listeners can tune in for compelling content carefully curated by Dr. Quartey, who is alumni of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and a Washington D.C. insider with L.A. street credibility as an advocate, organizer, and changemaker.
“Now more than ever the Black constituency must first be made aware, and then armed with information that can help advance the issues we care about and repel the ideas that are antithetical to the best interests of our community,” said Smiley. “The time is now for ‘A More Perfect Union,’ which is a weekly show designed to keep our community in the know with a moderator like Dr. Quartey, who keeps his ear to the ground and his heart attuned to the causes we care about.”
In addition to his new role at KBLA Talk 1580, Dr. Quartey serves as the national affairs contributor for TheGrio.com and a regular political commentator seen on cable news, such as MSNBC.
This fall, he will join the faculty of Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology for its new D.C.-based Social Entrepreneurship and Change program.
He’s highly regarded as a public intellectual on matters at the nexus of organizational leadership and social responsibility. Dr. Quartey is often sought out to comment on issues related to racial equity, public policy, elections, culture and identity.
During the 2020 election cycle, he served as the senior policy advisor to the Biden-Harris presidential campaign. Prior to election season, he supercharged AARP’s community, state, and national affairs work as the organization’s first senior advisor and national LGBTQ liaison.
“I’m deeply humbled to speak truth to power, elevate the work of the change makers among us, and amplify Black voices doing their part to build a more perfect union, in a time such as this,” said Dr. Quartey, the new moderator of “A More Perfect Union.” “Taking this on-air journey with the full support of the iconic Tavis Smiley inspires me to bring my A-game to every interview in hopes of making a material difference in the lives of ordinary listeners.”
“A More Perfect Union” joins an already expanded and exciting KBLA Talk 1580 weekend lineup. Other familiar voices and shows on the airwaves include “Café Mocha,” hosted by Los Angeles hip-hop icon YoYo, comedienne and talk show host Loni Love and voice actress Angelique Perrin as well as civil rights attorney Areva Martin with her show, “Areva Martin Out Loud.” Plus, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) radio show, “This Is Not A Drill,” hosted by BLM/LA co-founder Dr. Melina Abdullah has been a mainstay since the launch of the station.
On Juneteenth 2021, Los Angeles launched its first and only “Unapologetically Progressive” talk radio station for the African American listening audience! KBLA Talk 1580 is the only Black-owned and operated talk station in Southern California!
During the week, Smiley is on the airwaves with his own show, “Tavis Smiley,” plus, he’s backed by a great weekday lineup and giving folks something to talk about!!
With award-winning hosts like Dominique DiPrima and political commentator and comic DL Hughley, KBLA Talk 1580 boasts an all-star lineup of hosts who can speak candidly and passionately to the challenges people of color face daily trying to navigate life and realize their California hopes and dreams.
KBLA Talk 1580 serves an audience long ignored by talk radio in Los Angeles – that is, people of color and progressives. Interestingly, KBLA 1580 AM is a heritage station and the original home of the iconic Hip-Hop station KDAY.
