Kendra G exits WGCI

Leaves Leon Rogers as solo host going forward

The future of WGCI’s morning show is in question after Kendra Gilliams, known as Kendra G on-air has become the second person to exit the iHeartMedia-owned station’s morning show in several months. 

Gilliams made the announcement Monday morning on Facebook, saying she’s looking to relocate to Los Angeles. She did not say if she was looking for another opportunity in radio, or any other media profession. She will however, continue to host her Singles Live internet dating show. 

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be your morning show girl on WGCI for the last 8 years!!!,” said Gilliams. “After much prayer and deliberation I decided that it is time to focus on the next Chapter of my life which includes leaving the city I called home for the last 8 years.” 

In February, Kyle Santillian left the station’s morning show and joined the syndicated Morning Hustle. Both Gilliams and Santillian arrived at WGCI in 2015 to launch Chicago’s Morning Takeover, replacing a previous local effort. In what was a big deal at the time, Gilliams jumped from rival Power 92 (WPWX) to WGCI after two years at the Crawford-owned Hip-Hop station. She also has worked in radio in Atlanta, Buffalo, and Philadelphia, where she also did television at Fox-owned WTXF. 

Gilliams joins a growing list of radio personalities and execs who’ve exited Chicago this year. In addition to Santillian, others who left include WGCI PD Johnny D., Q101’s Justin Nettlebeck, Cumulus exec Troy Hanson, and Audacy’s Todd Cavanah. 

For the time being, Rogers becomes solo host of the morning show, on what is now a rarity in Black radio – a locally produced and hosted show as many Hip-Hop and Adult R&B stations across the country air syndicated product in morning drive. Numerous Hip-Hop stations owned by iHeartMedia air the popular Breakfast Club radio show hosted by Charlemagne Tha God as WGCI is one of the few holdouts, sticking instead with a local show. Whether this would continue to be the case in the future remains to be seen.