Syndicated radio show host Tom Joyner, often called the hardest working man in radio, once again pulled off a flawless “Family Reunion” in Central Florida over the Labor Day weekend. The reunion consisted of a four-day expo filled with exhibitors and sponsors looking to market their products and services to thousands of attendees. The expo was not like many other expos as it had events for the entire family like indoor tennis for kids and even a sponsored section designated for a good old-fashioned game of checkers. The event kicked off on Thursday evening with performances by Brian McKnight and Chris Walker. On Friday morning during the live “Sky Show,” Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona performed their latest hits along with Bobby Valentino. The lists of stars at the event ranged from musicians to authors. CNN’s Roland Martin was on a panel of discussions titled “Brother to Brother,” along with legendary singer Eddie Levert, television producer Roger Bobb, Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” David Mann and Orlando Magic executive Lucas Boyce. The expo also featured African American astronauts and the current administrator of NASA, Charles Bolden. The Tom Joyner Morning Show airs each weekday in Orlando on Star 94.5 FM and features a host of personalities in addition to Tom Joyner, like comedian J. Anthony Brown, The voice of reason, Sybil Wilkes, journalist Jacque Reid and Roland Martin, comedian Sheryl Underwood, Huggy Lowdown, George Wallace and D.L. Hughley. The Tom Joyner Family Reunion several started years ago and was held at Disney. In recent years, the event has been held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center allowing more of an indoor expo environment for sponsors, exhibitors as well as attendees. This event draws national attention to Orlando in addition to increased spending in the local economy. Other events like the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which also happened during the same weekend, as the TJMS Family Reunion, and the Florida Classic, which takes place in November, are events targeting the African American community and are welcomed by Central Florida tourism organizations in an effort to help increase spending among local businesses including area hotels. The Tom Joyner Morning Show has been a significant voice channeling issues in the black community for years. The show has undoubtedly increased voter registration in America, encouraged the target demographic to take charge of their personal health and the health of loved ones in addition to allowing listeners to brush up on their black history facts by providing information on a daily basis about African Americans who helped shape this country yet may not be found in traditional history books. Joyner was pegged as the “Fly Jock” when he refused to choose between a radio position in Dallas and another in Chicago. Joyner accepted both jobs and would commute daily via airplane between both cities. After all these years, Joyner continues to use his notariety to increase funding for HBCU’s and helps countless people in the community who need that extra support to help make their lives a little better. The TJMS Family Reunion has become an annual event and many attendees expressed their excitement for the event in 2012.
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