Cox Talent Inducted Into The NBRHOF

94.5 FM (WCFB-FM), a Cox Media Group Radio station, proudly celebrates four of its own, Elroy Smith, JoJo O’Neal, Lorenzo “Iced Tea” Thomas, and Marc Young, who were inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame. Their honors recognize decades of dedication to broadcasting, community impact, and contributions to the culture of Black radio.

The National Black Radio Hall of Fame honors Black radio pioneers whose voices have shaped music, culture, and news. Induction is among the highest honors in the industry, ensuring that legacies like JoJo, Lorenzo, and Marc live on at the National Black Radio Hall of Fame Museum at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis.

Elroy Smith, one of radio’s top programmers, known for helping to break major artists, such as New Edition, Vanilla Ice, Alicia Keys, and Kirk Franklin, he is recognized under the Talented Brothers of Radio category. A mentor to industry icons like Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner, the late Doug Banks, Rickey Smiley Morning Show, and Charlamagne. His many accolades include Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop program Director of the Year, the U.S. Congress State of the District Media award, and the 2023 Onyx Magazine “Men of Honor” award.

JoJo O’Neal was inducted in the Talented Sisters of Radio Category. Throughout her 41-year-long career, she devoted her platform to education and advocacy and continues to pour into her community. Following her own asthma diagnosis in 2004, she founded the Let’s Kick Asthma Foundation, a non-profit that educates, inspires, and supports those living with the disease.

Lorenzo “Iced Tea” Thomas, inducted under the Talented Brothers of Radio category was recognized for a broadcasting career spanning over 30 years. Twice named Air Personality of the Year and honored as Jock of the Millennium, he has also received the John H. Johnson Legacy Award for Communications and Excellence. Lorenzo’s radio journey includes leadership roles as Program Director before becoming the final voice of BET’s Video Vibrations.  This past weekend, he was recognized by Onyx Magazine at their “Men of Honor” awards & dinner.

Celebrating a 35-year career producing award-winning shows in major markets, Marc Young was inducted into the Production & Imaging category. Following his start at WGCI-Chicago while finishing up at Columbia College. After discovering his true passion, production, Marc has voiced stations nationwide, including HOT 105 in Miami, where he is the production director. He is also an on-air personality on HOT 105-Miami and does weekends at STAR 94.5 in Orlando and 101-5 The VIBE, in Tampa.

“Having three of our own inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame is an extraordinary honor,” said Elroy Smith, Director of Branding and Programming for Star 94.5 also inducted into the NBRHOF under the Talented Brothers Category. “We’re thrilled to see JoJo, Lorenzo, and Marc recognized on a national stage for the legacies they have all built.”

“It is impossible to explain how proud and humbled I am to share the same hallways with these Hall of Fame broadcasters,” said JC Campese, CMG Vice President and Market Manager, “I am so happy that Elroy, JoJo, Lorenzo and Marc have received the recognition they so well deserve!”

The induction took place in St. Louis, where JoJo O’Neal, Lorenzo “Ice Tea” Thomas, and Marc Young joined the ranks of radio legends enshrined in the National Black Radio Hall of Fame.