Sanya On-Air

Send us Fan Mail The spark starts at a school desk with a kid who lived by the radio. From that early obsession, Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire built a career producing shows, shaping artists, and guarding images at the highest levels of music. We walk through those rooms with her— Bad Boy hallways, photo sets under the Brooklyn Bridge, tense moments that turned into trust—and unpack how advocacy, prepara...

Send us Fan Mail From the streets of 1980s Philadelphia to the corridors of major publishing houses, Omar Tyree's journey has been defined by audacious pivots and authentic storytelling. The New York Times bestselling author of "Flyy Girl" joins Sanya to explore the experiences that shaped his literary voice and career. Tyree reveals how growing up as the oldest grandchild in a hous...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the transformative journey of Ameer Baraka , the acclaimed actor known for his compelling role as Jeremiah in Tyler Perry's BET series, Zatima . Join me, Sanya Hudson, as we unravel Ameer's incredible story from a challenging childhood and prison to his rise in the acting world. Discover how his personal experiences , combined with faith and perseverance , have s...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the vibrant world of entertainment and empowerment with our special guest, actress Mignon from BET's acclaimed show, Tyler Perry's "Sistas." We explore the transformative power of representation as Mignon opens up about her journey in Hollywood and how her character, Danni, inspires viewers to stand in their truth. This episode offers a rich exploratio...

Send us Fan Mail Remember the joy of 90s R&B and the golden era of music with the sensational group Allure . Join us on a nostalgic journey as we celebrate the host's birthday surrounded by the fabulous sounds of a time when music truly moved us. Allure shares the incredible narrative of their rise from high school harmonies at LaGuardia to signing with Mariah Carey ’s label and collabora...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could gain an insider's look into the music industry's glittering yet challenging world? Join me on "Sanya On-Air" as I sit down for an intimate conversation with Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls. Reflecting on my own journey and hiatus, I share my renewed commitment to opening doors for marginalized communities by spotlighting influential icons who...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a small Pentecostal church in East Texas that transformed lives by adopting 77 children from the foster care system. Our special guest, actor Demetrius Grosse , takes us on a journey through this truly inspiring story as portrayed in his latest film, "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot." Known for his riveting performances in "Straight Outta Compton,&qu...

Send us Fan Mail What if one television show could shape the educational aspirations of an entire generation? Join us as we explore this fascinating possibility with the brilliant Dr. Dawnn Lewis , best known for her role as Julissa Vincent on "A Different World." Dubbed a "culture texturizer, " Dr. Lewis shares her journey of enriching our cultural landscape. We discuss her ac...

Send us Fan Mail Picture this: You're sat across from a renowned actress, peeling back the layers of Hollywood glamour to reveal the raw and real experiences of navigating fame. She's captivating, unapologetically authentic, and ready to share her truth. Join us for an intimate conversation with a star from Tyler Perry's hit series 'Sisters', as she delves into her life, c...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a riveting journey with Sanya Hudson-Payn e as she sits down with J. Alexander Martin , the innovative force behind FUBU and the For Us By Us Network , to uncover the rich tapestry of black-owned fashion brands and their place in the industry. From the origins of iconic labels to the personal branding that propels entrepreneurs forward, we uncover what it takes to establ...

Send us Fan Mail Jamie Tyler III, a former detective turned reality TV sensation, graces us with his presence, sharing the real-deal on his transformation to a full-time Love and Marriage DC star. It's more than just glitz and glamour; Jamie peels back the layers on the triumphs and trials of life in the limelight. From the evolution of the Oprah Winfrey Network' s ownership to the cruci...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to be inspired by the captivating journey of Irma Cadiz , who's making her mark on the shows Power Book 3: Raising Kanan and Law & Orde r. Irma unveils her life story with transparency, highlighting her roots in Rochester, her struggles with finding affordable housing in Harlem, and her love for coquito. We move beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, delving...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wanted to get insights directly from a woman who has broken barriers in the medical field? Look no further! We're bringing you a candid discussion with D r. Simone from Bravo TV's Married to Medicine . She spills the tea on her journey as a black woman in medicine and shares precious advice for women of color who are seeking an OBGYN who listens and cares....

Send us Fan Mail Are you ready to embark on a musical journey like no other? Brace yourselves as we illuminate the path of Dedra Tate , a music industry titan who has lent her prowess to leading labels and artists across the globe. From MCA to Motown, Biv 10 Records to Flavor Unit , Dedra's impressive repertoire is truly a testament to her resilience and creativity. We unpack her bold coming-...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we journey through the fascinating life and career of music industry legend, Melba Moore . From her roots in a family that loved music, to her journey through Broadway, and her triumphant television career, Melba's story is an inspiring testament to resilience and the power of dreams. Hear how she navigated the tumultuous landscape of fame, relationships, and even...

Send us Fan Mail Pop the champagne and cue the confetti because it's a milestone moment for Sanya On-Air! We're celebrating our 100th episode with an exclusive chat that you won't want to miss. We've got the powerhouse duo, Jocelyn Bioh and Whitney White, the playwright and director behind the Broadway sensation, Jaja's African Hair Braiding , in the house. As they share t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever grappled with societal stereotypes tied to natural hairstyles or wrestled with gender identities in a white male cisgender-driven world? Join your host Sanya Hudson-Payne and CNN and HLN legal analyst, Areva Martin , as we challenge these norms, uncover deep-seated systemic racism, and explore the journey to parity. Our insightful conversation uncovers personal narratives, th...

Send us Fan Mail As we journey through the world of entertainment, it's not every day that we have the privilege of having an open and honest conversation with someone as dedicated and multi-talented as Meelah Williams of the legendary 90's R&B group. "702." Our chat with her didn't just revolve around the glitz and glamour of the music industry; it spanned personal st...

Send us Fan Mail With more than 1.7 million followers on Instagram, fashion designer and reality star Angel Brinks is a familiar face to audiences for her fashionable appearance on VH-1’s popular reality show, “Basketball Wives.” In this conversation. Angel Brinks , shares an EXCLUSIVE on whether or not she will return for the next season of "Basketball Wives" so get ready! But that&apos...

Send us Fan Mail Chingy is known for his hit songs "Right Thurr," "Fly Like Me," and " Pulling Me Back" to name a few helped shape the magical musical era of the early 2000's. With 20+ years in the music industry , Chingy shares how he got his rap name, touring with Usher and Nelly , the pitfalls artists should avoid, Chinglish and so much more! #chingy #chinglis...

Send us Fan Mail #rhoa   personality and o lympian Sanya Richards-Ross speaks her TRUTH about how she really feels about each housewife, unpacks why she thinks Kenya is always throwing up Marlo 's past in her face, how Drew is a totally different person when the cameras are rolling, which cast member would sleep with her friend's ex and how she navigates her untraditional marriage. MAKE...

Send us Fan Mail In honor of Juneteenth, let's talk "Black Hair in a White World" as we dig deep into unpacking, "Did integration adversely affect African Americans?" with Dr. Tameka Ellington and Frank Zaaqan Jordan. To celebrate this year's Juneteenth, be sure to learn about the annual BE Festival held at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. Sanya On-Air; unpack...

Send us Fan Mail   Actor Shane Johnson unpacks his character as Cooper Saxe in the hit Starz series Power Book 2: Ghost and why he deserved loyalty and respect from the show's writers after learning he was fired. Doing a deep dive from his very first line in Power, Shane discusses his intentionality around creating the menacing character fans love to hate. #powerghost #powertv #shanejohnson S...

Send us Fan Mail Working actor Markice Moore has set screens on fire with his role son "BMF," "Law & Order," and most recently BET+ hit series, "Legacy." With an all-star cast ( #vingrhames #lisarayemccoy #andrafuller #ajjohnson #jeremymeeks ) lean in as this seasoned actor shares the secrets to his success in Hollywood. Make sure you catch "Legacy" stre...

Send us Fan Mail Actress Charnele Brown is best known as Kimberly Reese in the iconic sitcom "A Different World." Unpacking pivotal moments from Tupac, Jasmine Guy, Lena Horne, Bill Cosby and other legends, Charlene shares why a show that shifted black culture and raised college awareness was cancelled. Diving deeper into the controversial "Mamie" episode ton "A Different...