Dyana Williams hosts Soulful Sunday, a weekly show on 100.3 WRNB-FM Radio One that won the Achievement in Radio Award for Best Weekend Show in Philadelphia for 2006. Affectionately named “The Ambassador of African-American Music” by American Express’ Departures magazine, the Harlem, N.Y., native began her career at WHUR-FM in the nation’s capital and later, journeyed back home to WBLS-FM. After making history as the first African-American woman to join an on-air team in rock radio at WRQX-FM, she landed her first on-camera position as an entertainment reporter on PM Magazine, in Washington, D.C.
Williams made Philadelphia her home in 1980 when she accepted an onair position with WDAS- FM. Along with organizing the station’s community-based activities, she moonlighted as a reporter for BET and music consultant for The Soul of VH1. After co-founding the International Association of African-American Music in 1991, she rallied alongside u.s. Rep. Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania for a bill that gave credence to African-American music as a viable cultural and economic entity.
She has been honored with a Liberty Bell from Philadelphia Mayor John Street, as well as a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Williams is a member of AFTRA/SAG, NABFEME and has served on the board of governors for the Philadelphia chapter of NARAS.
Over the last decade, Williams has expanded her portfolio to include artist development/media coaching and to date, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, T.l., Chris Brown, The Dave Matthews Band, Ne-Yo, three American Idols and many others have all benefited from her hands-on approach. She’s also delved into the realm of documentary film with Message in the Music: Gamble, Huff, Bell’s Sound of Philadelphia, a project she’s producing with noted director/writer Nelson George.
Williams is most proud of her role as mother to her three children. She splits her time between her homes in the Philadelphia area and New Orleans.