Frank Ski

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Frank Ski
Birth name Frank Rodriguez
Born (1964-05-09) May 9, 1964
Harlem, New York
Station(s) WVEE (V-103) Atlanta
Country United States
Spouse(s) Tanya Rodriguez
Website Frank Ski.com
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Frank Rodriguez,[1] professionally known as Frank Ski (born May 9, 1964), is an American DJ, journalist, philanthropist, radio personality and public forums host. From 1998 to 2012 he was the former co-host of the Frank and Wanda Morning Show alongside Wanda Smith on the Atlanta urban contemporary radio station WVEE.

Biography

Career highlights

As a journalist, Ski conducted the final interview with Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2002, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Jackson awarded Ski the title of "Journalist of the Year" by the Rainbow Push Coalition.[2]

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Ski spearheaded a fundraising movement to help the victims.[2] He raised $500,000 to support the causes of the Hosea Williams Feed the Hungry and Homeless and Metro Atlanta Respite & Development Services.[3]

Ski hosts the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.[4] The Walk is a partnership between the Trumpet Awards Foundation and the National Park Service and was created in 2004 to give recognition to civil rights leaders who promote justice and equality.[5]

In 2009, he finished second (to Neal Boortz) in an unscientific ajc.com poll for the most obnoxious Atlanta radio personality. Radio & TV Talk with Rodney Ho's poll on whether V-103 should keep Frank Ski (during the time of his contract re-negotiations) was 59% "No". He has recently been criticized for his support of Bishop Eddie Long during his sex scandal, though now attends another Atlanta church.

Ski had a lengthy career as a larger-than-life radio personality and one of the pioneers of Baltimore club music at V-103 before moving to Atlanta.

Awards and recognition

  • Rainbow Push Coalition, Reverend Jesse Jackson (2002)[2]
  • Georgia March of Dimes, Achievement in Radio Award (A.I.R.)[6](2004)
  • National Urban League, Atlanta Chapter; Distinguished Community Service Award (2007)
  • Ludacris Foundation, Community Service Award, 2008[7]
  • 11 Alive Community Service Award (2009)[8][citation needed]
  • Mentioned by Uganda Musician Ritah Kigozi in her song "Twandibadewo" (3:23-3:25)

Personal life

His wife is Tanya Rodriguez. The couple have four sons.

Frank Ski Kids

The Frank Ski Kids Foundation is an Atlanta area organization created by Ski in 2000. Its mission statement is "exposing kids to their future through science, technology, athletics, and the arts".[9]

The foundation hosts a yearly Youth Bowl football competition.[10] It gives young people the opportunity to travel abroad on excursions that support the foundation's science, technology and art programs and organizes a yearly trip to the NASA Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.[11] There have also been excursions to the Galapagos Islands (2007), the Amazon rainforest (2008) and an international artistic enrichment trip to Florence, Italy (2009).

References

  1. ↑ Local Radio Personalities Open Up, MyFoxAtlanta.com
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Frank Ski, article from Georgia Perimeter College
  3. ↑ The Latin American Association, Website
  4. ↑ Radio Co-Host Is "Open", Atlanta Woman's Magazine
  5. ↑ National Parks Service, Official Website
  6. ↑ March of Dimes A.I.R. Award for "Best Original Music or Jingle"
  7. ↑ "Word of Mouf", Ludacris Foundation newsletter, Page 8
  8. ↑ 11Alive Community Service Award
  9. ↑ Frank Ski Kids: About Us
  10. ↑ City Newsbytes, The Franklin Commitments for the City of Atlanta
  11. ↑ 12/11: Frank Ski’s wine auction, Atlanta Journal Constitution's "Access Atlanta" section

External links

Frank Ski Kids videos

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