“Quincy Jones says, it takes 20 years to change a culture. In the last 20 years, we have made dumb sexy. In the next 20 years, we need to make smart sexy again.” John Hope Bryant, speaking at launch of 5 MILLION KIDS, with 5MK Ambassador Tyrese Gibson.

Okay, my mentee, brother, friend and 5MK Ambassador Tyrese Gibson just improved his already positive image in my mind, heart and spirit (as well as that of the community), and radio station WJKS Kiss 101.7 just took a wrong moral and ethical turn, that will haunt its legacy for years to come. If I ever have anything to do with it, this radio station will never benefit from the economics I control, and those corporate CEO leaders that rely on me for counsel. Unless I hear from station ownership otherwise, what I have to say is this — “invest in, and advertise on, anything but them.” The station’s actions seem to suggest that they are interested in getting paid, but not building wealth. Wealth is not about money, nor short-term gain.

Yes, WJKS Kiss 101.7 in Delaware has some explaining to do.

The station allegedly decided to remove the actor Tyrese from the building after he spoke on the air about the liquor stores in urban neighborhoods. Tyrese had appeared on the station to promote his new album, and then spoke about how liquor stores should not be near schools.

“Get them cats out of here,” he said to the DJ. ”Selling alcohol right across from your kids school, homie — put the pressure on them homie … you knowhow to put pressure on dudes selling in your hood.”

That’s the point when the station manager allegedly came to tell Tyrese to leave the building. His argument? Tyrese was “disrespecting” the Delaware community.

Tyrese responded to the incident on Twitter by saying: “I just kicked out of a radio station frm a [program director] who had a problem w/ me speaking on liquor stores that are by elementary schools in Delaware.”

He also said, “If you don’t STAND for something.. You will damn near fall for Anything.”

Read the complete story here.

John Hope Bryant is a thought leader, the founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc., author of Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business book LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass), and a Member of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability.

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