STACKS Magazine recently got the chance to sit down and chat a spell with the witty and high-spirited co-host of the Ricky Smiley Morning Show, Ebony Steele.

     Lending her voice and wits to the one of the top rated morning shows in the country, it’s no doubt that she’s doing her thing and at the top of her game. In addition to her co-hosting duties, Ebony also lends her talents to the world of dance as the founder and Artistic Director of her own dance company, Ebony Arrington Dance & Performance Inc., which currently has 3 locations

     During our talk, she gave us some insight into what the journey has been like thus far for her as a woman in radio, her mentors along the way and who she admires in the industry. Check it out below!

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Bels: Tell us where you’re from and how long you’ve been in radio?

Ebony:  I’m from Birmingham, Alabama and I have been in radio for about 7 years now.

Bels:  What inspired you to get into the radio industry?

Ebony:  Well to be totally honest I went to college for engineering.  I really didn’t know what I wanted to do when I got out.  Me and Rickey have been friends for about 20 years now.  He had just started comedy and he told me, at the time he had only been doing comedy for about 6 months, that if he ever made it in comedy he would want me to come along and be his female co-host – a side kick.  So, as life would have it I was kinda going down a different path when he had the opportunity to do the radio thing he wanted me to come along so …my career path and made it happen.

Bels:  How has it been working with Rickey on the morning show?

Ebony:  Oh it’s great.  It’s an adjustment like anything else.  There are times when it super fun but then there are times when you realize ok I am still working for a corporation.  Rickey and all the personalities on the show… I don’t know how that got such great talent with such great
chemistry together both on the air and off the air but we have a great time.

Bels:  Has the journey been difficult, being a woman?

Ebony:  I think it’s challenging at times but I only know my journey so I can’t really compare mine to other people because I’ve only walked in my shoes.  There are challenges and whether or not they are gender based my come into play at times.  With anything that is worth having and worth doing well there are going to be challenges.

 

 

Bels:  What are some of the obstacles that you have had to overcome?

Ebony:  Getting up at 4:30 in the morning (laughs), you have to get up really early.  Also, you are in a position to be ridiculed just because you are somewhat of, I don’t consider myself a celebrity but, “oh she is cute, she ain’t cute, she funny, she ain’t funny”.  When you go to a bank or an insurance company where you may work you put on your game face for that particular job.  Well, my game face for my job is me.  If someone says you’re not doing it well it’s a direct hit on your person, you know, your personality is just you.  Sometimes you have to develop a thick skin in
that regard.  Those are some of the major obstacles that I may have faced.

Bels:  When it comes to the inequality of compensation between men and women, would you say that this occurs in the radio
industry?

Ebony:  I’ll be honest… I don’t really know what everybody else makes.  You know, you may hear certain things and feel like somebody may make
more than you or you more than them, but I really don’t know.  I mean, since it is his [Rickey Smiley] show I assume that he makes more than the rest of the cast.  I think at that point you have to get your side gig or side hustle and make life what you want it.  If you are truly talented and there are other things beyond what your base compensation then take time to develop you other talents and maybe make more money on the side.

Bels:  For young women wanting to get into the radio industry, what are some of the things that you could tell her to expect or tips on how to stay on top of her game?

Ebony:  I would just say be humble.  Be very humble.  Don’t be…people that want to do my job or do the radio job for free, because there are so many people that want to get into it.  Master your craft in whatever way you can, going to workshops.  And just know that in the beginning you will probably have to work for free but don’t let that deter you are committed to being in radio.  And sometimes it’s not about the person on the radio.  Sometimes I look at the producers and say “wow, I wish I could produce” or maybe I would be a good producer.  Some of the behind the scenes positions are very exciting.  The compensation may or may not be… The chart for how much money you can make in this game is so skewed.  It could be based on what city you’re in, or based on your negotiating power from another company you just left.  Sometimes you’re paid more than what people think you are worth, sometimes you are not paid enough.  Finding your way in radio starts out with finding out exactly what you want to do and what makes you happy because you know the old saying is that if you find something that you love it won’t seem like work because you will enjoy doing it.

Bels:  What women (in or not in the industry) have inspired you?  Do you have a mentor?

Ebony:  I do have a mentor, but it isn’t a woman.   I would say that my mentor is Hurricane Dave, who is my boss.  Another person I kinda consider my mentor is Roland Martin.  We don’t speak very very often but when we do he always gives me good nuggets of things in the industry.  I definitely look up to Wendy Williams because she has taken not just radio but you know her being the queen of all media I totally have to agree.  From the internet to tv to radio, she has truly mastered her craft.  Reading one of her first books she wrote, one of the lessons she said that she learned is “no matter what, go to work”.  As an intern there are a hundred interns that are working for free that are hungry that are waiting to take your spot.  So she, if nothing else, has instilled hard work in me.  That is one of the lessons that I have learned from her.  But, I would definitely have to say Cathy Hughes, being the founder of Radio One.  Being a single mother and to create a company and so many opportunities for so many people – I think that is pretty amazing.

Bels:  What business or organization do you own or operate outside of radio?

Ebony:  I own a dance studio or dance company I should say.  We have 2 locations in Birmingham, Alabama, my home town.  My sister runs those while I’m here in Atlanta.  I’ve expanded that company here in Atlanta where I actually teach onsite at some preschools and daycares.  That would be considered my side hustle.  And doing speaking engagements, hosting, those are some of the things that I do on the side as well.

Bels:  You have a foundation as well?

Ebony:  Me and my sister have an organization….inspiring sisters through the arts.  We have an annual golf tournament and had over 200 players this past June where we raised money for young ladies or young women that are interested in excelling in the arts.  So we offer scholarships through our dance studio and other organizations.

Bels:  As far as your future outlook, what are some of the things hope to accomplish, in or outside of radio?

Ebony:  Just to inspire.  Everybody’s not going to want to do radio.  Inspire, uplift, entertain and make people laugh.  And so, I just hope that I can do that.

Bels:  How can our readers keep up with Ebony other than listening to the morning show?

Ebony:  My Twitter is@EbonySteele, Facebook is Ebony Arrington Steele, and my website is www.ebonysteele.com.

 

 

Special thanks to Ebony Steele and Yolanda Manning (CMG-Birmingham)!

Photo Credit:  Ebony Steele