The Jack Gravely Show

Don't Miss Governor Robert McDonnell (VA) Thursday, June 3 at 10:30 AM on the Jack Gravely Show!!!

2010-06-02T05:22:00.001-07:00

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010 @ 10:30 AM

Robert F. McDonnell, Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia
Richmond, Virginia

Bob McDonnell was elected as Virginia’s 71st Governor in November 2009 with 59% of the vote. He was sworn in at the State Capitol and assumed office in January 2010.

The Jack Gravely Show
WLEE 990 AM
www.jackgravelyshow.com
9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon daily

Robert Bobb on the Jack Gravely Show...Coming Soon

2010-06-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for details on the Rescheduling of this interview
Robert C. Bobb has served as Emergency Financial Manager of the 87,000-student Detroit Public Schools since March 2, 2009. A one-year appointment by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm was extended through March 1, 2011 in October 2009.

He served as the City Manager of Oakland, California and Executive Director of the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, City Manager of Richmond, Virginia, City Manager of Santa Ana, California, and City Manager of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Don't Miss Jack Gravely's discussion with High Speed Chase Expert, Prof. Geoffrey Alpert

2010-05-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 20, 2010 Guest on the Jack Gravely Show @ 10:05 AM

University of South Carolina Professor Geoffrey Alpert:

Dr. Alpert is a nationally recognized expert on police high speed chases, pursuit driving, and profiling. He teaches courses in research methods and policing.

www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am @ 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Reggie Gordon on the Jack Gravely Show!

2010-05-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

Reggie Gordon, CEO
Metro Richmond Red Cross
Richmond, Virginia

Mr. Gordon will be the guest on the Jack Gravely show, Thursday, May 20, 2010 @ 10:30AM. We will discuss the Haiti Relief and other metro projects the Red Cross is working on.

Jodee Blanco, Bullying Expert on the Jack Gravely Show

2010-05-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Special Guest for:TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2010 @ 10:05 AM

Jodee Blanco is the author of the New York York Times best selling memoir "Please Stop Laughing at Me....She is also a youth advocate and the creator and executive producer of the critically acclaimed It's NOT Just Joking Around,an anti-bullying program.

The Jack Gravely Show airs Weekdays 9AM - 12NooN (EST) on WLEE 990.

Join Pete Stith, Jr on the Jack Gravely Show - Friday, April 23rd at 10:05 AM

2010-04-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

Special Guest for the Jack Gravely Show today - Friday, April 23rd at 10.05 AM
Millard "Pete" Stith, Jr.
Will the former Deputy Administrator for Chesterfield run for the House of Delegate?

Listen Weekdays 9AM - 12noon to the Jack Gravely Show on WLEE 990!

Jack Gravely shares with WTVR-CBS 6 about his memories of Dorothy Height...Watch the Video Clip -

2010-04-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Friday's Guest is Dr. Edward Ayers, President of University of Richmond on the Jack Gravely Show

2010-04-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

Join our Special Guest on Friday, April 16, 2010 at 11:05 AM

Dr. Edward L. Ayers, President of the University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
A historian of the American South, Ayers has written and edited ten books. The Promise of the New South: Life After Reconstruction was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

Don't miss the Jack Gravely Show, Weekdays 9AM - 12Noon at WLEE 990.

Dr. Hasan Jeffries is set for 10AM today on the Jack Gravely Show!

2010-04-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 10:00 AM, Join our guest - Dr. Hasan Jeffries, Associate Professor of History, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Dr. Jeffries specializes in 20th century African American history and has an expertise in the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements. He is the author of the newly released Bloody Lowndes: Civil Rights and Black Power in Alabama's Black Belt (New York University Press, 2009)

Don't miss the Jack Gravely Show, Monday - Friday 9AM - 12noon on WLEE 990.

Don't Miss Bernie Henderson on the Jack Gravely Show today at 9:25AM (EST)

2010-04-15T05:31:00.000-07:00

Listen to the Jack Gravely Show for Today's Special Guest at 9.25 AM ESTon WLEE 990:

Bernie Henderson, Former Senior Deputy, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Governors Wayne and Kaine Administrations, Richmond, Virginia.

Our topic of discussion is Restoring voting rights in the Warner and Kaine administrations.

Jack Gravely talks about the Proclammation and the Apology with Dr. Robert Holsworth

2010-04-08T05:17:00.000-07:00

Our Special Guest on the Jack Gravely Show for Thursday, April 8th at 11:05 AM is
Dr. Robert "Bob" Holsworth, Virginia Tommorrow, Former Dean, Department of Political Science, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Topic - The Proclamation and the Apology

Don't miss the Jack Gravely Show weekdays 9AM - 12Noon on WLEE 990!

Jack Gravely Interviews Pro Football Hall of Fame Member - Willie Lanier

2010-04-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Special Guest on the Jack Gravely Show - April 6, 2010
Willie Lanier, Kansas City Chiefs, MLB, Pro Football Hall of Fame Member

Jack Gravely talks to the Mayor Dwight Jones of Richmond, VA

2010-03-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Special Guest for March 29, 2010 at 10:30am
The City of Richmond's Mayor
Mayor Dwight C. Jones

Don't Miss the Jack Gravely Show, Weekdays 9AM - 12Noon on WLEE 990.

Dr. Lauranett Lee ---Special Guest on the Jack Gravely Show March 25th!

2010-03-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

Special Guest for Thursday, March 25th on the Jack Gravely Show
Dr. Lauranett Lee, Curator of African Amercan History Museum, Virginia Historical Society, in Richmond, VA

The Jack Gravely Show airs Weekdays 9AM - 12NooN (EST) on WLEE 990.

Don't Miss the Jack Gravely Show March 16th -- Guests include, Helen Trainor and George T. Jamerson

2010-03-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Guest of the Jack Gravely Show -
Tuesday, March 16,2010 at 9.25AM
Helen Trainor, Legal Aid Justice Center, Charlottesville, VA
Topic - The Problem of Punishment: Race, Inequality and Justice
&
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11.05 AM
George T. Jamerson, Census Office Manager, Richmond, VA
Topic - 2010 Census - Counting Everyone!

Don't Miss Author, Linda Fairstein on the Jack Gravely Show - This Friday, March 12th @ 10:30AM

2010-03-10T06:25:00.000-08:00

Our Guest This Friday will be Linda Fairstein, Author and Former DA in New York City.
Tune in Friday, March 12th @10:30AM to the Jack Gravely Show for this interesting interview.

Listen to the Jack Gravely Show, Thursday, March 11th, Special Guest -Dr. Lerla Joseph

2010-03-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 9:25 AM
Join the Jack Gravely Show as He interviews Dr. Lerla Joseph , MD.
Topics include: Health Issues in the African American Community and Helping Haiti.

Coming Up on the Jack Gravely Show -

2010-03-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 11:00am (EST)
Meet our Guest - Secretary, Gerard Robinson
Secretary of Education from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Jack Gravely shares with GM of McGeorge Toyota on Thursday

2010-02-17T05:18:00.000-08:00

Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 11:05 AM, our guest will be Mr. Bob Farlow, General Manager, McGeorge Toyota & Scion, from Richmond, Virginia.

Wednesday's Guest on the Jack Gravely Show, Meet Bonnie Winston, Reporter and Writer

2010-02-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

Listen to the Jack Gravely Show, Our special guest for Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 10:05 AM is Ms. Bonnie Winston, reporter and writer. Recent publication in The Crisis magazine, Summer 2009, entitled, "Massive Resistance".

Tuesday, February 2nd, Meet Professor Swenson - Author of Bible Bable

2010-01-29T05:11:00.000-08:00

Meet Our Guest for Tuesdat, February 2nd at 10:05 AM on the Jack Gravely Show - Professor Kristin Swenson, professor of Religious Studies at VCU
Dr. Swenson is the author of the newly released book entitled, "Bible Bable" - Making sense of the Most Talked about book of all times.

Kristin Swenson majored in biology and religion at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. After earning a Masters of Theological Studies in Boston University's School of Theology, she did her PH.D. work in Boston University's "History and Literature of Ancient Israel" program. The author of Living through Pain: Psalms and Search for Wholeness and co-author with Esther Nelson of What is Religious Studies? A Journey of Inquiry, Dr. Swenson's Bible Bable : Making Sense of the Most Talked about Book of All Time (Harper Collins, Feb 2010) helps general readers gain a level of biblical literacy, no matter what their faith beliefs may be.

Meet our First Guest for February - Jamie Radtke, Chairperson of the VA Tea Party

2010-01-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

Don't Miss the Jack Gravely Show - Wednesday, February 3, 2010 @ 10:05 AM, Our Special Guest will be:
Jamie Radtke, Chairperson of the VA Tea Party, President of the Richmond Tea Party, Richmond, VA.
Issues for Discussion: What is the Tea Party movement really about, what do they believe and are they a tool for GOP? Is the Tea Party a movement that all Americans can believe in, if so, why?

The Jack Gravely Show is on WLEE 990 AM Radio Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 12Noon. The show streams live at http://www.jackgravelyshow.com/ or http://www.wlee990.am/.

Jack Gravely, Host
The Jack Gravely Show

Listen to Our Interview with Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries

2010-01-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 28, 2010 @ 11:05 AM

Our Guest will be:Hasan Kwame Jeffries, Phd
Associate Professor, Department of History and The Kirwan Institute, The Ohio State University , Columbus, OH
Issues for Discussion: Race & Politics; How the media deals with racial politics and racial statements of public figures

The Jack Gravely Show is on WLEE 990 AM radio monday throught friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The show streams live at www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am.

Jack Gravely, Host
The Jack Gravely Show
WLEE 990 AM News-Talk
308 W. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223

788-0990 - call in number
877-953-3990 - toll free number

Today's Special Guest John M. Lewis, January 27, 2010 @ 10:05 AM

2010-01-27T06:05:00.000-08:00

Join us as we share with Today's Guest:
John M. Lewis, Jr., CEO, GRTC
Greater Richmond Transit Company
Richmond, Virginia
Issues for Discussion: GRTC's headquarters move, possible strike, future growth of GRTC and expanding into the counties

The Jack Gravely Show is on WLEE 990 AM radio monday throught friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The show streams live at www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am.

Jack Gravely, Host
The Jack Gravely Show
WLEE 990 AM News-Talk
308 W. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23223

788-0990 - call in number
877-953-3990 - toll free number

Friday, January 22, 2010 @ 9:05 AM on the Jack Gravely Show!

2010-01-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

Friday, January 22, 2010 @ 9:05 AM
Mr. Lacy Ward, CEO, Robert Moton Museum, Farmville, Virginia
and Ms. Virginia Board, Managing Director, Community Affairs and Philanthropy for Dominion discussing grants funding of diversity project around Virginia.

The Jack Gravely show is the hottest talk show in Metro Richmond and host some most compelling guest from across the country. The show stream live at www.jackgravelyshow.com or on the radio @ www.wlee990.am every morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Visit my web site at jackgravelyshow.com or my face book

Virginia & National Politics Discussion Today with Dr. Bob Holsworth on the Jack Gravely Show!

2010-01-21T05:06:00.001-08:00

Thursday, January 21, 2010 @ 11:05 AM for an hour interview discussing Virginia and national Politics:

Dr. Bob Holsworth is the founder and president of Virginia Tomorrow, a company that examines emerging trends in politics, society and business. He is also a managing principal of DecideSmart (www.DecideSmart.com). His observations on national and Virginia politics have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the New York Times, and numerous other papers and newsmagazines.

Bob was the founding Director of both the Center for Public Policy and the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Jack Gravely show is the hottest talk show in Metro Richmond and host some most compelling guest from across the country. The show stream live at www.jackgravelyshow.com or on the radio @ www.wlee990.am every morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Visit my web site at jackgravelyshow.com or my facebook.

Happy New Year from the Jack Gravely Show!

2010-01-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Jack Gravely Show! Expect great things in 2010...

Engineering Technology...How we deal we new technology?

2009-12-29T05:50:00.000-08:00

Our Guest for Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 9:25 AM on The Jack Gravely Show will be Dr. James B. Epps, Ph.D, an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of South Florida - Polytechnic in Lakeland, Florida discussing the developing area of "Engineering Psychology".

The Jack Gravely Show streams live at www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon daily from Richmond, Virginia. The toll free number is 1-877-953-3990.

Don't Miss Muhammad Sahli on the Jack Gravely Show!

2009-12-16T06:44:00.000-08:00

Dr. Muhammad Sahli, former president of the Islamic Center of Richmond and an adjunct faculty member in VCU’s Department of Chemistry, lectures extensively on the history of the Middle East, Islam and the Muslim world.

Dr. Sahli interview is scheduled for 10:05 AM on Thursday, December 17, 2009

Stay tuned to the Jack Gravely Show, Weekdays 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon, streaming live at www.jackgravelyshow.com.

Don't Miss the Friday Edition with Special Guest, Adam Clayton Powell, III, Vice Provost for Globalization, USC

2009-11-18T05:22:00.000-08:00

For our Guest interview on Friday, November 20, 2009 @ 10:05 AM. We will discuss the Media, America and Globalization with Adam Clayton Powell, III.

Adam Clayton Powell, III
CPD University Fellow
Vice Provost for Globalization, USC
As vice provost for globalization since June 2007, Adam Clayton Powell III works with faculty and deans to advance USC’s globalization initiative, which encompasses expanding the university’s international presence, increasing USC’s leadership role in the Association of Pacific Rim Universities and promoting the university throughout the world.

Prior to joining USC in 2003, Powell was general manager of Howard University’s WHUT-TV, the first African American-owned public television station in the United States. Before 2001, he served as vice president/technology and programs for the Freedom Forum. During 15 years with the Freedom Forum, he developed and oversaw digital and new-media conferences and training programs for journalists, media managers, educators, policymakers and researchers in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States

Jack Gravely set to Talk with the Author of 2012, the Bible and the End of the World, Mark Hitchcock

2009-11-18T05:11:00.000-08:00

Guest interview for Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:05 am. We will discuss his new book: 2012 The Bible and the End of the World

Mark Hitchcock is the author of more than 17 books related to end–time Bible prophecy including the bestselling Armageddon, Oil and Terror. He earned a ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary and serves as a senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Oklahoma, an adjunct professor at DTS, and has served as a contributing editor for the Left Behind Prophecy Club for five years. He also holds a law degree.

You can listen to the live stream of The Jack Gravely Show, here on www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. You can also follow the show @ WLEE 990 am.

Parking & Towing In Richmond VA

2009-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Tuesday morning, November 10, 2009 @ 9:30 AM, I will interview a Tow Company owner and operator on The Jack Gravely Talk Show concerning the issue of parking and towing in Richmond, Virginia. The Mayor of Richmond & Other City Council Members have been invited.

Dr. Bob is on the Jack Gravely Show Today! FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009 @ 10:05 am

2009-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. Robert "Dr. Bob" Holsworth, Political Analyst, will be the guest on The Jack Gravely Show, Friday morning, November 6, 2009 @ 10:05 AM. The recent election of Governor McDonnell and other political issues will be discussed.

You can listen to the live stream of The Jack Gravely Show @ www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. You can also follow the show @ WLEE 990 am.

Jack Gravely set to interview Creigh Deeds, Democratic Candidate for Governor, Tuesday, Oct 27th at 10:15AM (EST)

2009-10-27T05:28:00.000-07:00

Creigh Deeds, Democratic Candidate for Governor, will be the calling-in guest on The Jack Gravely Show, Tuesday morning, October 27, 2009 @ 10:15 AM (EST). The upcoming statewide political races, Virginia's financial future and major issues facing the next governor will be among the issues discussed.

You can listen to the live stream of The Jack Gravely Show by clicking the the Listen Live link at the top of the page or on www.wlee990.am Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. You can also follow the show @ WLEE 990 am in Richmond, Virginia.

Don't Miss Former Governor of Virginia, Jim Gilmore on the Show Today!

2009-10-22T05:13:00.000-07:00

Jim Gilmore, Former Governor of Virginia, will be the guest on The Jack Gravely Show, Thursday morning @ 9:30 AM. The upcoming statewide political races, Virginia's financial future and major issues the next governor will face will be among the issues to be discussed.

You can listen to the live stream of The Jack Gravely Show @ www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. You can also follow the show @ WLEE 990 am

Professor Hank Chambers on Tuesday's Show

2009-10-13T04:16:00.000-07:00

Don't miss our special guest for Today!
Professor Hank Chambers, Professor of Law at the University of Richmond Law School in Richmond, Virginia. Tuesday, October 13, 2009 @ 11:05 AM on the Jack Gravely Show!

Listen Live!

Freefall Friday gets Heated up on the Jack Gravely Show

2009-10-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Jack Gravely Show's Hot Topics on Friday:
The Angry GM Drops in and gets the conversation started on Michele Obama. Listeners call in to share there response to Chicago not being selected for the Olympics, Approval of Michele, Oprah Winfrey & President Barack Obama going to Chicago for the 2016 Olympics Selection, Drinking Kool-Aid and more. Don't miss out on the conversation...Listen to the Jack Gravely Show Weekdays 9AM - 12 noon (EST)

Jack shares with the Executive Director of the Holocaust Musuem, Jay Ipson

2009-09-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Today's guest on the Jack Gravely Show - Wednesday,September 30, 2009 at 10:05 AM (EST) is Jay Ipson, Survivor and Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum of Virginia in Richmond, VA

For more info on the Holocaust Museum of Virginia, click here

Listen as we stream live!

Jack Gravely gets Upclose & Personal with Mike London today!

2009-09-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

Friday, September 25, 2009 @ 11:30 AM
Special Guest for the Jack Gravely Show, is Mike London
Position:
Head Coach, University of Richmond
Experience:
2nd Year (in 2009)
Alma Mater:
Richmond '83

Jack Gravely, Host
The Jack Gravely Show
WLEE News-Talk Radio
9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Monday thru Friday

Listen Live!!!

Jack Gravely shares with the author of Crazy for God

2009-09-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

The guest on the Jack Gravely show Wednesday, September 23, 2009, is Frank Schaeffer, author of the New York Times best seller, Crazy for God. The Interview is scheduled for 10:05 AM on WLEE 990 AM, Richmond, Virginia.

www.jackgravelyshow.com or www.wlee990.am.

Michael Vick's Uncle on the Show today!

2009-08-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

Be sure to stay tuned today as we share with Michael Vick's Uncle, Casey Vick.

Listen As We Stream Live

On the Jack Gravely Show Today - Wednesday, August 26, 2009

2009-08-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Mr. Gene Grabowski, Senior Vice President, Levick Strategic Communications, Washington, DC. Mr. Grawbowski is one of the world's foremost authorities on crisis communications and litigation PR. Mr. Grabowski will discuss issues related to sport figures fall from grace and their redemption. We're also discussing Michael Vick, Coach Rick Pitino and Plaxico.

Jack Gravely in the Richmond Times Dispatch!

2009-08-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

Published: July 26, 2009

SLIDESHOW
Jack Gravely on the air - Jack's back. Jack Gravely, former head of the Virginia NAACP, returns to Richmond to host a talk show on WLEE.
click to view

MORE• Jack Gravely finds his voice again
• Jack Gravely quick hits

WANT TO LISTEN?
Jack Gravely is on the air Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon on WLEE-AM (990). You also can listen to the show and find out more at jackgravelyshow.com.

One of Jack W. Gravely's favorite new lunch spots is Ambiance Bar & Grill, a stylish little eatery in the heart of Richmond's Jackson Ward.

But he knows the place from another time in his life when it had another name and another look -- and he can almost taste the salmon cakes, eggs, fried apples and biscuits from the old days.

"This was one of the spots," said Gravely, recalling not just the good food but the images of local leaders hunched over cups of coffee discussing issues and strategies. "You could come in and run into anybody of any renown in the black community."

Gravely had some of that renown. The executive secretary of the Virginia NAACP in the 1970s and 1980s, Gravely was a familiar voice on civil-rights matters, rarely avoiding the opportunity to share an opinion or offer a quip. Those days are gone, but Gravely's voice is back on a daily talk show on WLEE-AM (990).

He's happy to engage in discussions on just about anything -- his catch-phrase: "If you live it, we will talk it" -- but he wants to make one thing clear.

"I've never felt comfortable with, 'Oh, you're the black talk-show host,'" he said over lunch in the window seat at Ambiance. "I'm a talk-show host who happens to be black."

Not that Gravely is opposed to pointing out the rich background he brings to the airwaves.

. . .

Gravely, 65, was the seventh of 12 children and grew up in Pocahontas, a coal town in Tazewell County. His mother was a domestic worker; his father, a coal miner, was killed in a mine explosion in 1957.

"After my father died, my mother said none of her sons would ever work in the coal mines, and none of us did," Gravely said.

As a kid, Gravely shined shoes, ran moonshine for gamblers and went to church every Sunday.

He also listened to the radio, as a source of entertainment, cultural pride and, as it turned out, inspiration for future employment.

"I remember my mother making all of us sit down and listen to Sugar Ray Robinson's fights or Jackie Robinson at bat," Gravely recalled. "On Sunday mornings, old-time Bible hours would come on, and we used to listen to those before we went to Sunday school.

"I always loved radio. I guess deep down, I had this, 'I'd like to do that.'"

Gravely went on to what is now Fayetteville State University where he played football and marched against segregated seating in movie theaters and restaurants in Fayetteville and Raleigh. He served in Vietnam in a combat support unit, and graduated from University of Virginia School of Law in 1972.

He came to Richmond to work for the Neighborhood Legal Aid Society and taught at Virginia Union University before he was having lunch one day with friends and heard someone mention that W. Lester Banks, then executive secretary of the state NAACP, was retiring. Gravely applied for the job in 1976 and got it.

He found himself in hot water after he told a reporter he had taken over "a house completely gutted by fire." He didn't mean it as a slap at Banks, a leader in the civil-rights movement, but it came across that way to some. It wasn't the last time Gravely's outspoken manner generated turmoil. He aimed to make the NAACP more visible and more political, though not necessarily in a partisan way, and it rubbed some people in the organization the wrong way, said Michael G. Brown, Gravely's deputy at the time.

"Jack is committed to a philosophy of change," said Brown, now a political consultant who also served as secretary of the State Board of Elections. "He can at times be relentless in the pursuit of what he's going after."

Under Gravely's leadership, the NAACP conducted voter-registration drives, led the call for single-member districts in the General Assembly and developed surveys to determine the extent of minority representation in cities, towns and counties across the state. He still speaks in awe of the opportunity he had to get to know -- and learn from -- civil-rights pioneers such as Oliver W. Hill Sr. and Samuel W. Tucker.

However, the rift with the board never closed, and he resigned from the state NAACP in 1984.

By then, he was already working radio.

Driving down Broad Street, he was listening to WRVA when he heard the Rev. Jerry Falwell make a comment about blacks -- he no longer recalls exactly what it was -- that he vehemently disagreed with. He turned his car around, drove to the station on Church Hill and went in to ask how he could respond to Falwell.

"First time I ever met John Harding," Gravely said of the longtime WRVA news director and operations manager whom he credits with serving as his earliest radio mentor. "He told me to write it out, bring it to him to look at, and then he'd put me in a booth to record it."

He did and later heard himself on the radio.

"I'll be honest with you," Gravely said. "I got a charge out of that."

Harding said he'd been searching for someone to provide a voice for the black community when Gravely came along.

"He was exactly what I was looking for," Harding, now retired, said in an e-mail from his farm in North Carolina. "Raw talent willing to take a little direction. Jack was one of the few lawyers I've ever known who could write something without becoming completely paralyzed in legal psycho-babble. The man could flat communicate."

Gravely did twice-weekly commentaries for WRVA for several years during the 1980s. Harding likened an opinion piece from Gravely to "a can opener." Later, Gravely had his own program, a three-hour talk show on Saturday nights, from 1996 to 2001, when new management cleared out much of the station's local talent, including him.

Funny thing, while Gravely was doing the Saturday night show he wasn't living full time in Richmond. He'd moved north to work first in Arlington County as a special assistant to the county manager, then at National Public Radio as special assistant to the president for affirmative action, then to Baltimore to work at the NAACP national headquarters. He also returned to the Virginia NAACP to serve for a time as president of its board.

Most recently, he was director of diversity for the Federal Communications Commission, a position he held for 13 years and retired from last year. He launched his WLEE talk show in October.

. . .

Gravely, a rare local talk-show host in an increasingly syndicated world, likes the fact -- no, he loves it -- that many of his callers don't agree with him.

"Talk radio is a tremendously engaging medium," he said. "You can take people where they don't want to go if you know how to do it. The greatest compliment a guy like me gets is someone who says, 'I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I'm going to listen tomorrow.'"

Jim Jacobs, general manager of Davidson Media Group, Richmond, which includes WLEE, knew Gravely from his days at WRVA. Jacobs used to host the afternoon drive-time program.

"He has very strong and well-reasoned opinions," said Jacobs. "He is neither a conservative or liberal puppet. He has his own feelings and he will tell you how he feels, not how he thinks you should feel.

"With all of the things he has going for him as a broadcaster, he really is a very nice fellow."

Gravely prepares for his show by reading newspapers, books and academic reports. He spends several hours each afternoon on the Internet, researching topics for upcoming programs. He routinely shows up at the studio each morning with eight to 12 issues to throw out to listeners.

"If they bite, fine," he said. "If they don't, I'll go with the flow."

Brown, Gravely's friend and former colleague, said one of Gravely's best traits -- particularly for someone who enjoys talking -- is that he listens well.

Gravely lives in Petersburg with his wife, Barbara. He has three grown daughters from his first marriage and a son from a relationship in college.

He and Barbara, a retired teacher, have been married 14 years. They like to travel and to garden. He finds great satisfaction tending his vegetable garden. He's looking forward to fresh collard greens at Thanksgiving.

He also finds great satisfaction in being part of the daily conversation in Richmond again. Enjoying a burger and his usual ginger ale at another of his new favorite spots -- Leigh Street Bar & Grille -- Gravely said he wants his show to be syndicated around the country. But he doesn't want to go anywhere.

"I want to do a talk show from down South," he said. "I don't want to be up North. I want to stay here. I have no desire to go to Washington or New York. I don't want to commute. I've run the roads for 30 or 35 years.

"If it comes down to that, I'll just go over to Virginia State University and teach a couple of classes, live in Petersburg and raise my tomatoes."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Republished with permission from Richmond Times Dispatch - Bill Lohmann

Listen to the Jack Gravely Show Online Weekdays 9AM - 12noon EST

2009-07-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

Click the Link to Listen to the Jack Gravely Show on Wlee 990!!

Email Jack Gravely...Share Your Show Ideas, Comments, Opinions, with TJGS!

2009-07-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Email Jack Gravely
jackgravelyshow@yahoo.com

Live Excerpt from the Jack Gravely Show

2009-07-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Jack Gravely Interviews Dr. Robert Holsworth on the Virginia Governors Race

2009-07-05T06:52:00.000-07:00

Jack Gravely Interviews Dr. Robert Holsworth about the Virginia gubernatorial Race.

Prof. Robert D. Holsworth is the former Dean, Department of Political Science,Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia and one of the leading political analysts in Virginia. He provides regular political commentary and analysis on the Jack Gravely Show. His Blog is Virginia Tommorrow.

Meet Jack Gravely

2009-07-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

Veteran Talk Show Host and Analyst
Jack W. Gravely is a veteran broadcaster with over 15 years of experience. From May 1983 to June 1987 Jack produced and aired a 90 second commentary on WRVA-AM radio twice weekly. In November 1989, CNN and Richmond’s NBC-TV affiliate retained Jack as an election night commentator and political analyst along with Dr. Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia to cover the historic election of L. Douglas Wilder as Governor of Virginia.
For five years, 1996-2002, Jack hosted an award winning 3-hour talk show in Richmond, Virginia on WRVA-AM. In April 1997, the Virginia Association of Broadcasters awarded the Metro Radio News Promotion Award to “The Jack Gravely Show”. One caller stated, “Jack’s show simply sizzled every Saturday night.” His guest, topics and interviews attracted calls and comments from St. Louis to Canada to Louisville.
Mr. Gravely has been a guest on the Today Show, Nightline, Crossfire, Good Morning America, The Bill Moyer’s Journal, The Tony Brown Show, C-Span, CBS Morning News, and the Bev Smith Show. He was a frequent quest panelist on local public affairs shows across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
His letters and speeches have been published in the Richmond Times- Dispatch, The Richmond Afro-American, The Free Press of Richmond, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and The Washington Post. Jack W. Gravely has an extensive background in public service, civil rights, management consulting, public speaking, university teaching and volunteer service. Jack has delivered over 600 speeches across America and Canada.
He was the State Director, Virginia NAACP, Chair, Board of Director and Special Assistant to Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, National NAACP, Baltimore, Maryland. Jack was appointed the first Director of Diversity, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by Chairman William E. Kennard in September 1995. He has testified before US Congressional Committees, Virginia General Assemble Committees, and has appeared before policy-making boards at the local, state and federal levels.
Mr. Gravely is a graduate of Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina with a BS degree in History and Government and received his Juris Doctor (JD) in Law from the University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia.