If you’re looking for a Renaissance Man of soul music, then look no further than Ron Brewington. Ron first came to our attention in his role as Vice President and board member of the Motown Alumni Association, where he is the source of information for and about so many classic soul artists. When there is news in community, Ron is often the point person to get the word out. But his story is much, much richer, and includes a lifetime of service, including 21 years in the US Navy and a career of service and advocacy ever since.
Ron’s affinity for Motown history also extends to African American history of all kinds, through his work with the Chicago-based non-profit The History Makers.
Over the years, as part of Radio One/XM and the American Urban Radio Networks, and as a news anchor, Ron has covered nearly every important event affecting urban America. He has even appeared in several movies, including Harlem Nights, as well as the NBC television special event, Roots: Celebrating 25 Years. Ron has also produced acclaimed radio tributes to Marvin Gaye and other soul greats, and he is currently serving as the publicist for the Jazz Music Awards, scheduled for September, 2013 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Calif.
But nothing is bigger than Ron’s love for Motown. He played a pivotal role getting stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for legendary Motown acts like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Supremes, The Miracles, The Funk Brothers and others. He is currently working to expand that list to include other classic soul stars such as Jackie Wilson, Ruth Brown, Rick James, Martha Reeves, The O’Jays, The Dells, The Whispers and The Commodores. Ron has also been conducting a worldwide campaign since June 2003 to get a commemorative U.S. postage stamp for singer Marvin Gaye.
Ron is also sharing his knowledge with the next generation, teaching broadcasting and journalism at various schools, including Columbia College, Los Angeles Broadcasters, Columbia School of Broadcasting and at Santa Monica College, where he currently serves as an associate professor. He also teaches a broadcast media workshop for Los Angeles area inner-city high school students who are enrolled at the Urban Media Foundation, a community organization which educates, mentors and advocates disadvantaged students who have an interest in media technology, journalism and mass communication.
Ron Brewington was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio, on November 4, 2007, along with his twin brother and fellow broadcaster, Rudolph Brewington. The soul music community is much richer for the work that Ron has done over the years, and he is truly a Soul Communicator worth celebrating.
You can read and see more about Ron Brewington at The History Makers.
By Chris Rizik
Soul Communicators is a periodic section of SoulTracks that pays tribute to disc jockeys, writers, entrepreneurs and others around the world who are dedicating their careers to keeping Soul Music alive and thriving.