Vince Sanders
Encyclopedia
Vince Sanders has SWAG! A veteran of the broadcast industry having spent nearly 40 years on the job. Sanders has written two books. Both titles are dedicated to his years behind the microphone or on the stage as an actor...one is titled (can't get HERE from THERE) and the other is called (That's Not Funny!) Sanders began his broadcast career as an on-air talent at WBEE-AM in Chicago in 1958. He retired in 1995 as Vice President and General Manager of station [WWRL-AM]] in New York City. He was Vice President of Broadcast Operations at the National Black Network
from 1973 until 1983. He won the Gabriel Award
in 1972 while an anchor/reporter for NBC news, a position he held from 1971 until 1973.
After being forced to adjust to several schools,Vince wound up at the historic Jones High School
of Orlando in 1948. In his junior year of high school, Vince suffered a dislocated hip, causing him to sit out a full school term. Following his mother's 2nd marriage, he became a permanent resident of Orlando. Orlando provided a typical lifestyle for Vince under the circumstances of a new stepfather. His mother provided as much wisdom for him as she could; for which Vince often credits her as his eventual sculptor in life. After pursuing a military career and further education Vince moved to Chicago where he studied speech and drama under the renowned Ethel Minns Lucas of the Chicago Conservatory.
-Ruby Dee
Story hour for three years. From 1973 until 1983 he was Vice President of Broadcast Operations at the National Black Network.
He is a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists
and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2005. he was an Original board member of the Central Florida Theatre Alliance and the People's Theatre in Orlando.
In 1995, Vince retired as Vice President and General Manager of WWRL-AM in New York City.
He began his radio career at WBEE-AM in Chicago as an on-air actor in 1958, while simultaneously performing weekends at the (Joe) Louis Theater under the tutelage of renowned playwright, Theodore Ward
. Ward specifically sought Vince to play the lead role of Joshua Tain in Ward’s 3-act drama—with music—entitled Our Lan’ . Most of Vince’ performances back then, including his radio theatre appearances, were unpaid under the auspices of Community Theatre.
As a rising Chicago personality with a baritone voice mainly responsible for most of his kudos, Sanders appeared in productions of wide-ranging genre for several main-line companies including: Hull House Theatre, The American Negro Opera Guild, The Richard B. Harrison Players, and The Southside Center for Performing Arts.
In 1963, he served as Theatre Consultant for the American Negro Centennial Exposition and narrated NBC’s award winning documentary, “One More River”.
It was also in the early ‘60’s he began his popular call-in radio talk show called,
“Opinion”. His many guests-–over more than eight years—included some of the highest profiles among African American newsmakers and other celebrities as well. During this period, Sanders also hosted a call-in talk show and a quiz contest over WCIU-TV, Chicago’s channel 26. At WCIU, Sanders was often called to work with Don Cornelius
—before his “Soul Train
” fame—and Roy Wood as Anchor on “ A Black’s View of the News”.
Sanders was a special correspondent for KPOI radio in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1968 .
In 1969 Vince introduced the nation's first black and white stand-up comedy team Tim
and Tom
. He managed them for 4 years before their break-up.
In 1970, Sanders moved to Chicago’s NBC station WMAQ. As an anchor-reporter for the parent company, he worked for both the Radio and TV operations. In 1972, he narrated a second award winning documentary for NBC—“The House That Jack Built”.
A move from Chicago to New York City in 1973 provided a ground-floor role in the development of the National Black Network. NBN was the nation’s first Black owned and operated radio news network. In the 2nd year, Sanders was promoted from News Anchor to News Director, and shortly thereafter to Vice President of Broadcast Operations. With this addition he became Executive Producer of the Ossie Davis-Ruby Dee Story Hour.
In 1974, Sanders and NBN's sports director, Frank Bannister, covered the return to the ring of Muhammad Ali
when he knocked out George Foreman
in 8th round—it was the fight of the century;held in Kinsasha, Zaire.In 1976, Sanders was part a US delegation of journalists in South Africa for the Transkei transfer from Apartheid rule. Transkei
was the first homeland to achieve internal self-government in 1963 and followed by full "independence" on 26 October 1976. In that same year,Sanders was part of US delegations to Nirobia, Kenya, Israel and Jordan.
In 1983—as NBN continued growing under Vince's management, he became Vice President and General Manager of its New York City radio station—WWRL-AM. He held both positions until his departure from the company in 1995. Both companies enjoyed noteworthy achievement under Vince's control.
The most recent release—That's Not Funny! —tells of the years when Actor/Producer Tim Reid and stand-up comic Tom Dreesen formed the nation's first Black and White stand-up comedy team and endured the disdane of hostile audiences while trying to induce Americans to laugh at the unforunate
aspects of America's racial practices. Vince's first book--can't get HERE from THERE-- tells of the ups & downs the nation's first Black owned and operated radio news network designed to cover news from an African American perspective.
Both books are Memoir/Social History genre treatments. They are based on vince's role in the development of the [National Black Network] (NBN), the world’s first Black owned and operated Radio News Network and his management of the Nation’s first Black and White stand up comedy team Tim and Tom
.
National Black Network
The National Black Network, or NBN, began operation in July 1973 as the first coast-to-coast radio network wholly owned by African Americans.-Early years:...
from 1973 until 1983. He won the Gabriel Award
Gabriel Award
The Gabriel Awards were originated by the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals in 1965. They were designed to honor works of broadcast excellence that have a positive and creative treatment of concerns to mankind....
in 1972 while an anchor/reporter for NBC news, a position he held from 1971 until 1973.
Early life
Vince Sanders(aka Vinson J. Sanders) was born in 1935 on a small farm in Waldo, FL. ; a sprawling railroad community about 50 miles south of Jacksonville. His mother, Alzeda Mitchell and his father, James Sanders divorced when Vince was 6 months old; thereby relegating much of Vince's formative years to the tutelage of his grandparents.After being forced to adjust to several schools,Vince wound up at the historic Jones High School
Jones High School (Florida)
Jones High School is located in the Parramore/Lorna Doone neighborhood in the urban heart of Orlando, Florida at 801 S. Rio Grande Avenue. It is a public school in the Orange County School District...
of Orlando in 1948. In his junior year of high school, Vince suffered a dislocated hip, causing him to sit out a full school term. Following his mother's 2nd marriage, he became a permanent resident of Orlando. Orlando provided a typical lifestyle for Vince under the circumstances of a new stepfather. His mother provided as much wisdom for him as she could; for which Vince often credits her as his eventual sculptor in life. After pursuing a military career and further education Vince moved to Chicago where he studied speech and drama under the renowned Ethel Minns Lucas of the Chicago Conservatory.
Career
In addition to his radio career, Sanders was notably active as a theatrical performer.In the early 1960s, He traveled with the American Negro Opera Guild and the Richard B. Harrison Players. in 1963, he was Theatrical Consultant to the Chicago Emancipation Centennial Authority. In the early 1970s, he was Executive Producer of the Ossie DavisOssie Davis
Ossie Davis was an American film actor, director, poet, playwright, writer, and social activist.-Early years:...
-Ruby Dee
Ruby Dee
Ruby Dee is an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist, and activist, perhaps best known for co-starring in the film A Raisin in the Sun and the film American Gangster for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.-Early years:Dee was born Ruby...
Story hour for three years. From 1973 until 1983 he was Vice President of Broadcast Operations at the National Black Network.
He is a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists
National Association of Black Journalists
The National Association of Black Journalists is an organization of African American journalists, students, and media professionals. Founded in 1975 in Washington, D.C...
and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2005. he was an Original board member of the Central Florida Theatre Alliance and the People's Theatre in Orlando.
In 1995, Vince retired as Vice President and General Manager of WWRL-AM in New York City.
He began his radio career at WBEE-AM in Chicago as an on-air actor in 1958, while simultaneously performing weekends at the (Joe) Louis Theater under the tutelage of renowned playwright, Theodore Ward
Theodore Ward
Theodore Ward was a leading African-American playwright of the first half of the 20th century.-Biography:Ward was the sixth out of eleven children. A prolific writer, Ward wrote over thirty plays...
. Ward specifically sought Vince to play the lead role of Joshua Tain in Ward’s 3-act drama—with music—entitled Our Lan’ . Most of Vince’ performances back then, including his radio theatre appearances, were unpaid under the auspices of Community Theatre.
As a rising Chicago personality with a baritone voice mainly responsible for most of his kudos, Sanders appeared in productions of wide-ranging genre for several main-line companies including: Hull House Theatre, The American Negro Opera Guild, The Richard B. Harrison Players, and The Southside Center for Performing Arts.
In 1963, he served as Theatre Consultant for the American Negro Centennial Exposition and narrated NBC’s award winning documentary, “One More River”.
It was also in the early ‘60’s he began his popular call-in radio talk show called,
“Opinion”. His many guests-–over more than eight years—included some of the highest profiles among African American newsmakers and other celebrities as well. During this period, Sanders also hosted a call-in talk show and a quiz contest over WCIU-TV, Chicago’s channel 26. At WCIU, Sanders was often called to work with Don Cornelius
Don Cornelius
Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius is an American television show host and producer who is best known as the creator of the nationally syndicated dance/music franchise Soul Train, which he hosted from 1971-1993...
—before his “Soul Train
Soul Train
Soul Train is an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from October 1971 to March 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared.As a nod to Soul Trains...
” fame—and Roy Wood as Anchor on “ A Black’s View of the News”.
Sanders was a special correspondent for KPOI radio in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1968 .
In 1969 Vince introduced the nation's first black and white stand-up comedy team Tim
Tim Reid
Timothy L. "Tim" Reid is an American actor, comedian and film director best known for his roles in prime time American television programs, such as Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati , Marcel "Downtown" Brown on Simon & Simon , Ray Campbell on Sister, Sister and William Barnett on That 70's Show...
and Tom
Tom Dreesen
Tom Dreesen is an American stand-up comedian.Dreesen grew up in Harvey, Illinois, south of Chicago. His family was one of the few white families in a largely African American community...
. He managed them for 4 years before their break-up.
In 1970, Sanders moved to Chicago’s NBC station WMAQ. As an anchor-reporter for the parent company, he worked for both the Radio and TV operations. In 1972, he narrated a second award winning documentary for NBC—“The House That Jack Built”.
A move from Chicago to New York City in 1973 provided a ground-floor role in the development of the National Black Network. NBN was the nation’s first Black owned and operated radio news network. In the 2nd year, Sanders was promoted from News Anchor to News Director, and shortly thereafter to Vice President of Broadcast Operations. With this addition he became Executive Producer of the Ossie Davis-Ruby Dee Story Hour.
In 1974, Sanders and NBN's sports director, Frank Bannister, covered the return to the ring of Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
when he knocked out George Foreman
George Foreman
George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...
in 8th round—it was the fight of the century;held in Kinsasha, Zaire.In 1976, Sanders was part a US delegation of journalists in South Africa for the Transkei transfer from Apartheid rule. Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
was the first homeland to achieve internal self-government in 1963 and followed by full "independence" on 26 October 1976. In that same year,Sanders was part of US delegations to Nirobia, Kenya, Israel and Jordan.
In 1983—as NBN continued growing under Vince's management, he became Vice President and General Manager of its New York City radio station—WWRL-AM. He held both positions until his departure from the company in 1995. Both companies enjoyed noteworthy achievement under Vince's control.
Life After Retirement
Vince Sanders has published two books since returning to live in Orlando in 1997. The manuscript to his third title—Misapplied Passions—is 70% complete and due for release in the Fall of 2010.The most recent release—That's Not Funny! —tells of the years when Actor/Producer Tim Reid and stand-up comic Tom Dreesen formed the nation's first Black and White stand-up comedy team and endured the disdane of hostile audiences while trying to induce Americans to laugh at the unforunate
aspects of America's racial practices. Vince's first book--can't get HERE from THERE-- tells of the ups & downs the nation's first Black owned and operated radio news network designed to cover news from an African American perspective.
Both books are Memoir/Social History genre treatments. They are based on vince's role in the development of the [National Black Network] (NBN), the world’s first Black owned and operated Radio News Network and his management of the Nation’s first Black and White stand up comedy team Tim and Tom
Tim and Tom
Tim and Tom were an American comedy duo. DuPont marketing manager Tim Reid and insurance salesman Tom Dreesen met at a Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting near Chicago in 1968. They were "put together to promote an anti-drug program in the local schools" and, prompted by a comment from a child,...
.