Joe Madison

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For persons of a similar name, see Joseph Maddison (disambiguation).
Joe Madison
Joe Madison 2019.jpg
Born
Joseph Edward Madison

(1949-06-16) June 16, 1949 (age 72)
Dayton, Ohio
EducationWashington University, B.A., 1971 (sociology)
OccupationTalk Show Host, Commentator
Board member of
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1986–~1999
  • Operation Big Vote, 1978-?
  • American Red Cross, 2013-
Spouse(s)Sherry (m. in or before 1978)
ChildrenShawna, Jason, Monesha, Michelle
Parent(s)Nancy Stone and Felix Madison, Herman Haygood (biological)
Awards
  • Freedom of Speech Award, Talkers Magazine, April 2008
  • Americans Noteworthy Community Leaders, Jaycees, 1976-78
  • Man of the Year, Black American Women's Hall of Fame, 1980
  • Men to Watch in the 1980's, Detroit Monthly Magazine
  • Nation's 50 Leaders of the Future, Ebony Magazine
  • Top Ten Newsmaker, Crain's Detroit Business
  • Achievement in Radio Award for Best Non-Drive Time Radio Show
  • Best Spot News Bdcast
  • finalist, Best New Talent Award
  • honorary Kentucky colonel
WebsiteJoeMadison.com
Notes

Joseph (Joe) Madison (born June 16, 1949), alternatively known as "The Black Eagle" or "Madison", is an American radio talk-show host and activist.

Biography[]

Early years[]

Madison was raised in Ohio and maintained a close relationship with his parents and grandparents who were influential during his youth. He was educated in the Ohio public school system and after graduation from high school, he entered college. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Washington University in St. Louis.[5] During college, he was an All-Conference Running Back and baritone soloist with the University's concert chorus.[citation needed] Madison spent his young adulthood in various positions in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was selected Executive Director of Detroit's NAACP branch at the age of 24, serving from 1974 to 1977. He is the youngest person to be appointed to the position.[5]

He did public relations at General Motors Corporation, 1969–70. He was a "statistician" for the St Louis Cardinal Football club, 1970–71. He worked in urban affairs at Seymour & Lundy Assoc, 1971–74.[3]

Benjamin Hooks appointed him NAACP national political director in 1978. He was also political director of the SEIU, and a director of COTE.[3] He is a former member of NAACP's national board, and remains a life member.[4][5]

Radio career[]

Madison began his broadcasting career in 1980 at Detroit's legendary WXYZ-AM radio station.

WWRC[]

Joining an otherwise white lineup at WWRC-AM in the early '90s, he developed a crossover appeal handling issues that included race but were aimed at the station's multiracial audience. He left in 1998, after the station fired its talent and changed format, to start an online chat show.[6]

WOL and XM Satellite Radio[]

The national capital's preeminent black talk station, WOL-AM, became his catapult to further impact, including syndication on the Radio One Talk Network and its XM satellite channel. He left WOL in 2013.[7]

Urban View on Sirius[]

Madison can now be heard Mondays through Fridays from 6am to 10am on Urban View channel 126, XM Sirius.

In 2013 and 2014, Joe Madison hosted events pertaining to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Special guests included former Johnson Publishing Company news reporter and their Washington, DC Bureau Chief Simeon Booker, Rev. Bernice King (youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) and Luci Baines Johnson (youngest daughter of President Lyndon Johnson) and singer/activist Harry Belafonte.

On Feb. 25 – 27, 2015, Joe Madison hosted a record-breaking marathon whereby he talked for 52 hours on his SIRIUS XM talk show. The broadcast is officially registered with the Guinness World Record Organization. During the marathon, he could only take three small breaks every hour. Only at the top of the hour could he actually leave the studio (restroom break, etc.). There was a camera that was recording and watching his every move. Volunteers were brought in to be witnesses and timekeepers, for documentation purposes, in accordance with the Guinness World Record Organization policies. The marathon served as a platform to raise money, from his listeners and supporters, for the building of the new National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, DC. The museum director, Dr. Lonnie Bunch, was a guest Joe Madison interviewed during the marathon. Several politicians, celebrities, historians, other SIRIUS talk show hosts, etc. were also guests. Various local TV news stations stopped by to film and interview Joe while he was on the air.

Political activism[]

In addition to his broadcasts, Madison has engaged in hunger strikes and supported causes ranging from Sudanese slavery to securing a star for the Four Tops on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[5] On February 2, 2015, comedian and activist Dick Gregory finally received his Star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was largely due to Joe Madison's support in raising the $30,000.00 fee (by actively asking his SIRIUS talk show listeners to donate because of the significance of Dick Gregory being honored) required to receive a Hollywood Star. In two weeks, the entire amount was raised, thanks to Joe's efforts.

He publicized claims of CIA complicity in moving cocaine into the United States, sought evidence, and promoted legislation to declassify possibly related documents. On October 15, 1996, Madison, Dick Gregory, and John Newman launched a hunger strike to promote this legislation.[1]

Personal life[]

Madison has taken a DNA test indicating he has ancestry in Sierra Leone and Mozambique.[8] Research done for Finding Your Roots revealed that his great-grandfather was a white man from South Carolina who fought for the Confederates during the American Civil War; and his biological grandfather was included in the Tuskegee syphilis experiment.[9]

He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife Sharon (Sherry) and is a father and grandfather.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Joseph E. Madison". Contemporary Black Biography (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). 17. Detroit: Gale. March 23, 1998. Gale Document Number: GALE|K1606000606. Retrieved 2013-08-31. Biography In Context. (subscription required)
  2. ^ "Joseph E(dward) Madison". Almanac of Famous People (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). Gale. 2011. Gale Document Number: GALE|K1601048087. Retrieved 2013-08-31. Biography In Context. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Joseph Edward Madison, Mr.". Who's Who Among African Americans (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). Detroit: Gale. June 1, 2003. Gale Document Number: GALE|K1645513758. Retrieved 2013-08-31. Biography In Context. (subscription required)
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Red Cross Announces Four New Members of its Board of Governors" (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). PR Newswire. June 5, 2013. Gale Document Number: GALE|A332502707. Retrieved 2013-09-01. Biography In Context. (subscription required)
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Joe Madison The Black Eagle - BIO". Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  6. ^ Hilpert, Mark (March 30, 1998). "NMP receives cash infusion from Columbia Capital". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 2013-09-02. TALK SHOW HOST CHANGES MEDIA. Former WRC-AM talk show host Joe Madison, who was fired along with other WRC on-air personalities last month when the station switched formats and dial positions, is reaching out to a different audience -- Internet junkies. Madison's new show, "OnLineTalk.com with Madison," is scheduled to debut April 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at http://www.oncon.com. That's the address for Online Connections Inc., a District-based ISP. The weekly show, which will run on Monday evenings, operates much like the radio version: Madison will interview guests, and Web users will be able to read the interview and submit their questions and comments. The program will cover a broad range of subjects, including politics, current events and entertainment.
  7. ^ Harris, Hamil (April 17, 2013). "Joe Madison leaves WOL". The Root DC Live. Washington Post. Retrieved 2013-09-01.
  8. ^ Willing, Richard (February 1, 2006). "DNA rewrites history for African-Americans". USA Today. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  9. ^ Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 5, 2016, PBS

External links[]

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