Post From Community: Radio Milwaukee announces on-air talent for upcoming Urban Alternative channel HYFIN | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sarah Mac Lahr
June 8, 2022
Radio Milwaukee’s new Urban Alternative HYFIN (WYMS-88.9FM HD2) shared the names of the on-air talent that will be a part of the media channel. Element Everest-Blanks, one of the original on-air voices of 88.9FM, and Anthony Foster will each host on-air shows on HYFIN, alongside HYFIN Program Director Tarik Moody, the station announced Tuesday.
Urban Alternative is an innovative, locally customized public radio format connecting to young, diverse audiences through the full spectrum of Black music. Radio Milwaukee’s HYFIN, backed by a $450,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is launching on Juneteenth this year.
From June 19 to July 3, HYFIN will be unhosted except for Moody’s shift, allowing listeners to enjoy the depth and intentionality of the music programming of HYFIN. Beginning July 4, the weekday programming schedule on HYFIN will be as follows:
6 a.m. to 12 p.m. – “The Morning Mix,” Milwaukee’s most music morning show with no talk and all tunes
12 to 3 p.m. – Anthony Foster
3 to 9 p.m. – Element Everest-Blanks
9 p.m. to 12 a.m. – Tarik Moody, simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 and HD2
12 a.m. to 3 a.m. – Unhosted, simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 and HD2
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HYFIN will be unhosted on the weekends and will be simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 seven days a week from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
“Anthony and Element both greatly exemplify the spirit and mission of HYFIN,” said Moody. “Their passion and commitment to the community make them the perfect voices for our channel.”
Everest-Blanks was part of 88.9FM’s original on-air cohort of DJs when the station launched in 2007. She returned to the station as a part-time on-air host in September 2021 and will continue to host her Saturday 12 to 3 p.m. on-air shifts on 88.9FM. In addition to her role on-air with HYFIN, Everest-Blanks will also be HYFIN’s brand ambassador working to create on-air and online content and build relationships within the community.
“The idea that we could launch a channel like HYFIN is beyond anything we could have ever dreamed back in 2007,” shared Element. “The music on HYFIN will feel like family to our listeners. They grew up hearing these voices and we will also be introducing them to artists that they would never hear on any other station.”
Foster is also currently on-air on 88.9FM on Saturdays from 6 to 9 a.m. and will continue to host that shift in addition to his HYFIN on-air responsibilities. Chris Alexander, currently on-air on 88.9FM on Sundays from 12 to 3 p.m., will offer programming support for HYFIN.
In addition to the three on-air roles, Radio Milwaukee has also hired Darron “DJ” Brüwer as HYFIN’s Community Engagement Coordinator. Brüwer comes to Radio Milwaukee as an entrepreneur most recently owning his own social media firm, F2 Social.
Additional imaging that will be heard on HYFIN was provided by the voices of Alesia Miller, Lauren Feaster and Kia Rap Princess.
“We are creating HYFIN for all of Milwaukee, but specifically Black women, who are underserved by media and culture in our city,” shared Moody. “It was important to me to make sure that this audience heard themselves on HYFIN immediately in our imaging.”
HYFIN can be found on Instagram (@hyfin.mke), TikTok (@hyfin.mke), Facebook (@hyfinmke), and Twitter (@hyfinmke); or online at hyfin.org.
Media can download hi-res headshots of HYFIN staff at https://bit.ly/HYFINStaff. Photos of HYFIN staff were taken at America’s Black Holocaust Museum and Sherman Phoenix. These locations were chosen by HYFIN staff members as important pillars of culture in Milwaukee.
For more information or interview requests with on-air talent, please contact Sarah Lahr at sarahm@radiomilwaukee.org or 414-892-4190.
Radio Milwaukee (WYMS-FM 88.9) has been a positive force for Milwaukee on air, online and in the community since its 2007 launch. Through its creative programming and content, non-commercial Radio Milwaukee utilizes a multimedia platform for creating a better, more inclusive and engaged community. 88.9FM broadcasts and streams a unique blend of musical styles, including at least one song by a Milwaukee artist each hour, and short Uniquely Milwaukee stories that foster engagement and positive change. The award-winning organization receives the great majority of its financial support from its 6,000 contributing members, more than 150 underwriters and 25 foundations. The organization runs a 24/7 all-Milwaukee music channel at 414Music.fm online. Learn more about Radio Milwaukee and stream the station at RadioMilwaukee.org or via the 88Nine mobile app.
Beginning June 19, 2022, Radio Milwaukee will launch Urban Alternative channel HYFIN, with the support of a $450,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. HYFIN will broadcast on-air at 88.9FM HD2, online at hyfin.org and via the 88Nine and HYFIN mobile apps. HYFIN will be simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. every day.