Roland Martin, a former editor of The Chicago Defender and current host of a morning show on News/Talk WVON-AM has exited the old Soft Sheen building on East 87th Street (right down the street from my house.)
Martin has signed a deal to become a contributor to the syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show, which airs weekday mornings on WVAZ-FM (V103.) Martin’s final show on WVON is likely to air around Sept. 26.
The arrival of Martin essentially replaces recently departed commentator Tavis Smiley, even though the syndicated radio program held a contest to replace him. Martin is certain to cover the red-hot Presidential race, where Barack Obama could make history as the nation’s first African-American Commander-In-Chief.
The move comes as Martin’s star is rising – he’s already a contributor to CNN, a correspondent for Essence magazine, and a commentator for TV One – whose part-owner (Radio One) also owns a piece of The Tom Joyner Morning Show.