Written By JR Robinson

Echoes of a Movement: Setting the Stage

Ask longtime Memphians about their city’s soul, and the answer isn’t just about music, barbecue, or river history—it’s about voices on the radio, neighborhood stories, and the grit of Black entrepreneurs who shaped the city’s cultural life. That legacy was front and center at the 901DAY Summit, a gathering designed and produced by Danielle Inez, civic innovator and founder of WinWithDani, and brought to life with the high-energy presence of Stan the Man Bell, one of Memphis’s most legendary radio personalities.

From Humble Beginnings: Radio as a Community Anchor

Memphis emerged as a broadcasting leader during the 20th century, with radio serving not only as entertainment but as a lifeline for community news, local activism, musical innovation, and social progress. The summit recalled memories of WDIA—the nation’s first Black-oriented radio station, founded in Tennessee—whose pioneering Black format in the 1940s and 1980s introduced the “Memphis sound” and amplified the needs and dreams of its Black listeners. Radio stations switched formats, tested genres, and ultimately found a sense of belonging in the voices and music of Black Memphis—the country and western era was abandoned as communities rallied around the stations that told their stories.

The ownership and leadership of these stations were, critically, driven by entrepreneurial Black Memphians: figures like Ben Ferguson, John Pepper King, and educator Nat D. Williams—whose efforts continued despite the odds, and whose impact can still be felt across the city today. Nat D. Williams, celebrated as the first African-American disc jockey in Memphis and a revered educator, was a foundational figure in Black radio history and community empowerment. Teachers, historians, and radio leaders invested in the next generation, anchoring the city’s identity in empowerment and representation.

Stan the Man Bell: The Voice and Mentor

Much of Memphis radio’s charisma can be traced to on-air innovators like Stan the Man Bell. For decades, his voice has guided listeners through music, politics, and civic engagement. He is not just the MC of the 901DAY Summit, but an embodiment of how radio personalities become mentors, educators, and boundary-breakers. Stan Bell’s dedication to education includes teaching broadcasting in Memphis public schools, further cementing his influence within the community. Stan’s ability to “keep it real with God and with y’all all day” reflects his commitment to authenticity and activism on the airwaves.

Entrepreneurship and Legacy

The summit discussions—punctuated by local leaders and the voices of Black business owners—highlighted how entrepreneurship has always been woven into Memphis’s broadcasting story. The willingness to take risks, switch business models, and serve a growing audience illustrated the resourcefulness and vision of Black Memphis. Panelists spoke candidly about opening businesses out of passion, responding to concrete community needs, and the ongoing struggle for economic equity and access to capital—a challenge familiar to those who pioneered radio in the city.

Cultural Transmission and the Next Generation

Every era of Memphis broadcasting brought not only music and news but leadership, representation, and an investment in the city’s children. Many of the original station founders were also educators, recognizing that economic empowerment and cultural pride go hand in hand. The Summit itself, with youth present and engaged, symbolized the intentional passing of cultural and entrepreneurial inheritance.

Toward the Future

Danielle Inez’s 901DAY Summit was not just a commemoration of past triumphs but a blueprint for Memphis’s future. The event modeled purposeful collaboration, diversity across generations and backgrounds, and the conviction that Memphis’s best days depend on the voices, businesses, and broadcast platforms that keep the city connected and proud.

Stan the Man Bell's history as MC and the event’s production by Danielle Inez were pivotal in celebrating and advancing the tradition of Black radio and entrepreneurship in Memphis.