ST. PETERSBURG, FL—Black Power 96.3 FM, the Uhuru Movement’s south St. Petersburg, Florida black community radio station has appointed Mr. Eddie Maultsby Jr. as its new Station Manager.
This marks an important step in the station’s growth as it begins to re-open its studio doors to new volunteers following a period of limited indoor traffic instituted to protect the community during the COVID pandemic.
A stand-out volunteer
Mr. Eddie began volunteering with Black Power 96 in 2018 as the live host of “Good Morning Gospel”. He added the lunchtime “Midday Cafe” to his repertoire, featuring blues and southern soul, followed by “Smooth Grooves” on Fridays from 5-8pm.
Maultsby created the station’s “Local Going Global” contest that gives radio exposure to unsigned artists. Musicians are invited to submit their music.
Then every Friday at 5 PM ET, Mr. Eddie plays the tracks and invites listeners to vote for their favorite song. The winner receives frequent airplay, promotion on the station’s website and social media and an invitation for an on-air interview.
Hundreds of votes are counted each week, most from St. Pete residents, but also from listeners as far away as New York, California, Africa and the Middle East who tune in through the station’s mobile app and web stream.
“Local Going Global” shows how a small community radio station can help local artists find a worldwide audience.
Successful concert organizer
In 2019, Mr. Eddie initiated an annual benefit gospel concert raising funds for the noncommercial station.
The first event was held at Powerful Living Ministries church and featured local gospel artists.
In 2020, the benefit show had to go virtual because of the COVID closures and Mr. Eddie expanded the musical genres included in the show, recruiting artists from around the country – gospel, R&B, southern soul and hip-hop – to donate their performances to the virtual event.
This year, he booked the legendary Gerald Alston of The Manhattans to headline another virtual benefit concert.
A man of the people
Eddie Maultsby Jr.’s life story is woven into the fabric of St. Petersburg’s black community, especially that of the gospel and faith traditions. He has touched and been touched by many.
At the age of 11, Mr. Ed.die was diagnosed with a rare disease that eventually left him completely blind. Doctors predicted that he would not live past the age of 15.
His father, Eddie Maultsby, Sr., managed the gospel singing group, “The Florida Spiritualaires”, for over 20 years.
When Mr. Eddie expressed his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, Mr. Maultsby Sr. joined forces with the Reverend Fleming Tarver who was working with his own son Troy to form a singing group and they created “Eddie and the Wonder Boys”
When Mr. Eddie turned 20, he began to earn a living on his own in downtown St. Pete, where he became a street performer, playing guitar and singing.
Everybody knows Mr. Eddie
For over three decades, this talented member of our community entertained and inspired generations of residents and visitors.
Maultsby also teamed up with “Smokie da Bear” to create an award-winning comedy show on the Pinellas County Public Access TV station.
Today he brings that same creativity and love of the black community to the radio airwaves at 96.3 FM.
Black Power 96—not just explaining the world but changing it
WBPU, “Black Power 96”, is a project of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to address the grave disparities in health, healthcare, education and economic development.
Like all institutions of the Uhuru Movement, Black Power 96 offers opportunity for members of the African working class to rise to our greatest potential, to bring our genius, creativity and initiative to serve the African Nation.
Eddie Maultsby answered that call and has proved his worth as a valued son of Africa.
Black Power 96 is a powerful weapon in the war of ideas, interweaving the African Internationalist teachings and strategy for the anti-colonial struggle with the musical and cultural traditions of the black community.
With Mr. Eddie at the helm of Black Power 96 FM and a dynamic line up of music and public affairs programming, Black Power 96 stands strong as a beacon lighting the way forward for our community.
Listen from where you are through the Black Power 96 mobile app for Apple or Android.
To see the full programming schedule, submit your music, sign-up to volunteer or donate, visit www.blackpower96.org.
To make a music request, send a shout out to family and friends, or to congratulate Mr. Eddie, call WBPU’s request line during his live show hours at 888-979-2796 (BP96).
Support our own Black Power independent radio!
Uhuru!
