Episode 105: 8 Years an Intern: Breaking into Radio & Entertainment w/Morgan McKenzie of 102 Jamz
In This Episode, Minority Trailblazer Morgan shares;
01
How she was able to break into the radio industry
02
How she balances her journey in the entertainment industry while still being a college professor
03
The principles to being patient
Morgan McKenzie is an old soul, with a youthful quality about herself that allures people from all walks of life. Among other things, she is a multifaceted, busy body with a unique story to tell. Morgan McKenzie is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a super Aggie (2x graduate of North Carolina A&T State University), and a music enthusiast. While at North Carolina A&T, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication as well as a master’s degree in English & African-American Literature. She has developed a dynamic way of applying the ideas and skills developed from both disciplines into her radio career while serving as a mentor and professor of English Composition at her alma mater.
In 2011, Morgan McKenzie landed an internship for 102 Jamz’s hit morning show, “The Wild-Out Wake-Up Show”, where she worked hands on with audio production, developed topical content, and assisted with promotions. In 2014, her internship allowed her to contribute to 102 Jamz’s popular community-based talk show, “Straight Talk”. After one year of interning for the talk show, Morgan McKenzie was officially promoted as co-host of “Straight Talk” which is the number one community-based talk show in North Carolina. The year of 2016 served as a victory for the newly appointed co-host. She was offered the opportunity to cover a solo shift on the spot which resulted in Morgan McKenzie landing solo weekend shifts on 102 Jamz along with co-hosting “Straight Talk”. Since then, Morgan McKenzie has been able to fulfil a number of shifts which has enabled her to build trust and reliability amongst her colleagues.
In the classrooms of North Carolina A&T, Morgan McKenzie is known as Professor Cornell where she is giving lectures to freshmen about the writing process and the do’s and don’ts of the highly anticipated NCAT homecoming week. On the weekends, she is known as Morgan McKenzie, “The It Girl”, where one can catch her yelling, “Stay Woke!” on airwaves of 102 Jamz while discussing anything from race relations to trap music and pop culture.
Radio has allowed Morgan McKenzie to serve as catalyst for positive change. As the co-host of “Straight Talk” she uses her platform to evoke thought and discourse on social, cultural, and political issues making tough discussions involving the realities of society and everyday life relatable and enjoyable. As a culturist, her ability to reach people where they are of any age, race, or creed makes her a friend and a trusted voice of the community. Morgan McKenzie is a captivating young woman who has found her voice, and hasn’t stopped talking ever since. Her goal is to remain progressive in offering perspective, disclosing transparency, and uplifting the community through the influence of her voice, for speaking solely from the heart is her superpower.