Williams moving into radio after 25 years as newspaper reporter
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Roy Williams, who spent nearly 23 years as a reporter at The Birmingham News before leaving the industry last fall, is returning to journalism, this time in a different format.
Williams, 48, will be the host of “Biz Talk With Roy Williams,” a call-in show that will air on Friday nights from 7-8 p.m. on WAGG Heaven 610 AM beginning Friday, Aug. 9th.
The show will also live-stream online at www.610wagg.com. Williams said “Biz Talk” will be a radio version of many business topics and features that gained him a loyal following of readers during over 17 years as a business reporter for The Birmingham News. He has been marketing director at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Ensley since October 2012, when The News switched to a three days a week printing cycle to focus on its daily online site, www.al.com.
“Being able to host my own radio show is a dream come true for me,” Williams said. “I appreciate David Dubose, chief operations officer of Summit Media Group, for having the faith in me and giving me this opportunity.”
As a business reporter, Williams said he had a passion for writing small business/minority business profiles, doing in-depth Q and A interviews of business and community leaders, and educating the public about personal finance. Those segments will be a central part of his radio show. He also encourages WAGG Heaven 610 listeners to call in to interact with his guests.
“Biz Talk With Roy Williams” first guests on the debut show Friday Aug. 9 will be as follows:
“On The Record Q&A” with Chris Lewis, president of South Region Minority Supplier Development Council. Lewis will talk about “Business Connections,” slated for Aug. 15-16 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
“Money Sense” – a discussion with lawyer Brad Botes on Bankruptcy 101.
“Recareering”- Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, a senior legislative analyst for the Birmingham City Council, and Anne Ruisi, who is about to start a new job as an online editor in China, discuss how they transitioned from over two decades in journalism to new careers. Dr. Art Cara, a psychologist who owns an outplacement consulting firm in Homewood, will share tips on how displaced and laid off workers can transfer their skills into new careers.
Southeast Small Business Magazine named Roy as one of the 40 most influential men in metro Birmingham in 2012. Roy received the 2012 Emory Jackson Award from the A.G. Gaston Conference for his coverage of small and minority businesses. A founding member of the Tower of Prayer in Leeds, Roy lives in Birmingham with his wife, Patrice, daughter Naja, 14, and son Royce, 11.
On the Friday Aug. 16 show, Roy’s guests will be “On the Record” with Jesse Lewis Sr., founder of The Birmingham Times; “Money Sense” with Mary Wier of NBC Securities discussing investing for retirement; “Small Business Spotlight” on Jarvis Escott discussing his web-based marketing company; Chloe Collins talking about the economic impact of the Sidewalk Films Festival slated for Aug. 20-25 and Joyce Brooks, author of “Self-Inflicted Overload: Five Steps to Achieve Work-Life Balance & Becoming Your Very Best.”
To be considered as a guest on “Biz Talk With Roy Williams,” e-mail details about your company and contact information to Roy at bizman1964@gmail.com. Businesses interested in advertising can also contact Roy via e-mail.
