E. Steven Collins was the well-known and respected voice of credibility at Radio One Inc., where he built brand awareness for Philadelphia’s contemporary inspiration station, Praise 103.9, urban contemporary Hot 107.9 and adult urban 100.3 WRNB. He passed away suddenly Sept. 9.
Collins was known by many as the unofficial mayor of Philadelphia. Through his life, work and distinctive voice, he touched the hearts of thousands of people in this region and beyond.
His skill set ran the gamut of communications: urban radio, national television political commentating, keynote speaking, urban marketing and public affairs programming.
Collins appeared on CNN’s American Morning, Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC and FOX29’s Good Day Morning Show. He was annually recognized as one of Philadelphia’s most influential leaders by the Philadelphia Tribune newspaper.
Collins helped create Days of Unity and has served various boards including the Concerned Black Men Inc., The Philadelphia Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association for Nonviolence, The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, the Urban League of Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation’s Multicultural Affairs Congress, The Marian Anderson Awards Board of Directors, and others.
Temple has created the E. Steven Collins Memorial Scholarship Fund to support SMC students studying broadcasting. Visit giving.temple.edu/estevens.