November 9 …

Dyana Williams is an influential American radio and television personality, cultural advocate, and music industry strategist whose decades-long career has helped shape the recognition, preservation, and promotion of African American music within the broader history of American entertainment and popular culture.

Born on November 9, 1953 New York City, Williams was deeply influenced by the vibrant cultural landscape of the city’s music scene, which ignited her early passion for broadcasting and soul music. She began her radio journey at the campus station of the City College of New York before embarking on a professional career in 1973 at WHUR-FM in Washington, DC. There, her on-air persona — Ebony Moonbeams — quickly gained a loyal following, thanks to its distinctive style and thoughtfully curated music selections.

Inspired by trailblazing broadcaster Vy Higginsen and supported by influential figures like radio icon Frankie Crocker, Williams soon joined the team at WBLS-FM in New York. While there, she honed her reputation as a knowledgeable tastemaker and storyteller of Black musical heritage.

Her career flourished across major media markets including New York, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, where she became closely linked to the legendary “Sound of Philadelphia” soul movement, collaborating with artists like Patti LaBelle, Billy Paul, Jean Carne, and Teddy Pendergrass.

In 1978, she made history as the first African American woman to join an on-air rock radio team at WRQX-FM, showcasing her versatility and willingness to cross genre boundaries.

After moving to Philadelphia in 1980, she became a prominent voice at WDAS-FM, hosting popular programs like Soulful Sunday and Afternoon Delight. Alongside her radio career, Williams also established a parallel path as a television correspondent, journalist, and documentary contributor, featuring in shows for BET, VH1, and the music documentary series Unsung. Her writings in publications like Billboard and The Philadelphia Tribune further solidified her status as a respected historian and interpreter of African American music and culture.

One of Williams’ most significant contributions to American cultural history is her role in founding Black Music Month — now officially recognized as African American Music Appreciation Month.

In 1979, she collaborated with songwriter-producer Kenny Gamble and broadcaster Ed Wright to advocate for national recognition of Black music’s profound impact on American life. Their efforts led to the first celebration at the White House hosted by President Jimmy Carter, resulting in federal acknowledgment of June as a month to honor African American musical achievements. This pivotal achievement earned Williams the title of “Mother of Black Music Month.”

Williams later played a key role in establishing the International Association of African American Music Foundation to promote and preserve Black musical traditions. She also served as a founding board member of the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, helping institutionalize the appreciation of genres like Jazz, Blues, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Soul as integral aspects of American culture.

In addition to her broadcasting and cultural advocacy work, Williams is an entrepreneur and celebrity media coach through her company Influence Entertainment, where she has mentored and advised artists and public figures, including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Usher, Ne-Yo, and members of the Dave Matthews Band. Her influence extends to live event production, documentary storytelling, and public speaking on music history.

A graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in radio, television, and film with honors, Williams has garnered numerous accolades for her work, including an Achievement in Radio Award for Best Weekend Show in Philadelphia, civic citations from the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She also has garnered recognition as one of the top Black radio personalities and women in media.

Frequently nominated for the Radio Hall of Fame and celebrated as an “Ambassador of African-American Music,” Dyana Williams stands alongside a generation of broadcasting contemporaries and cultural leaders who have amplified the voices, history, and influence of Black artists within the canon of American music while mentoring a new generation of performers, broadcasters, and cultural advocates.