Coming Direct with Radio's Newest Star ~ Freda Stukes

Come in. Relax. Put your feet up. We're about to keep it real. Those are the call words used by radio's newest talk show host, Alfreda "Freda" Stukes, whose Southern hospitality and direct approach with her guests, has made her show, in a very short period of time, a popular one with radio listeners around the country.

Only on the air since January, 2015, Freda Stukes' show is heard daily, Monday through Friday, from 4pm to 5pm (EST) on her flagship station, The Beasley Group, 1100 AM (Atlanta), iHeartRadio, TuneIn.

Freda is carving a path for radio success.

Being a radio talk show host, however, is quite a different path for this successful business woman and community activist who honed her business skills in the Metro Atlanta area going back to her grade school days and graduation from Morris Brown College.

Over a 20 year period, Freda successfully navigated a business career as a consultant where she helped businesses like IBM and with Montgomery Watson/KHAFRA Engineering in training their staff with quality skills to connect with the company's bottom line and maintain their professional status with clients and business partners.

Her work has garnered her numerous awards and accolades for outstanding service to the companies she has consulted for.

As a civic and community leader, Freda worked alongside her father and mother, who were both community activist, while as a student in school. She even had the distinction, as an 8th grader, of introducing the late, Maynard Jackson, first African~American Mayor a major metropolitan city in the United States, as Jackson spoke for the first time at a school rally with international press in attendance.

Freda's many business and community achievements over the years, and especially her work with the Women of Distinction Inc. and Men of Distinction-Atlanta non-profits, that she founded and is CEO of, gives help and supplies to the homeless and less fortunate, led the city Atlanta to proclaim August 20th as Alfreda “Freda” Stukes' Day, an official holiday proclaimed by the Atlanta City Council on behalf of the Atlanta citizens.

So how did becoming a radio personality figure into this successful business woman's career when, if anything, a run for a political office seemed like the natural progression. Freda says that the opportunity came her way by a radio executive who made her an offer to do a show with a community and entertainment platform. Freda certainly has approached her new gig with the same passion as she has in her business and community works.

But, whose to say that a run for political office is not in Freda Stukes' future. The sky is the limit for radio's newest star.

"She's dynamic, energizing, engaging, inspiring, and lets not forget, funny! Freda's the hottest new afternoon drive radio personality in the United States. The radio station provided the right woman with the right opportunity at the right time. Freda's content is relevant, thought-provoking, entertaining, and edgy. No topic is off limits. You can catch her chatting it up with national, local and community figures. Freda will reel you in and make you feel like part of the conversation. Bottom line, she'll make you feel at home."

~ The Women's Radio Network

Q: I see your alma mater is Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA. What was your Major there and what's your best memory of attending there?

A: Yes, I graduated from MBC. My major: Business Administration. Best memories; I gained knowledge to help place me professionally in the path that I am on and, I met and gained friends for a lifetime.

Q: Are you from Atlanta originally?

A: No. I was born in Birmingham, AL

Q: From reading your bio. and other articles about you, I see that you have quite a community service and business acumen. What led you to go into broadcasting and become a talk show host?

A: Many of my close friends are local and national personalities and from my experience and passion to serve the community over the years I was privileged to meet many wonderful people that support my vision. A gentleman reached out to me and offer an opportunity and here I am... still in a driving seat with a national talk/entertainment platform.

Q: I understand that the city of Atlanta has bestowed to you a "Freda Stukes Day", is that correct? That is quite an honor. How did that come about for you?

A: Actually, the correct name is Alfreda "Freda" Stukes Day in the City of Atlanta. I was honored to receive an official holiday proclaimed by the Atlanta City Council on behalf of the Citizens of Atlanta on August 20, 2012. In that same year under my leadership, it is documented that I reached out and touched well-over 300,000 Citizens in the State of Georgia. I have been working in the community well-over 27 years nonstop, striving optimistically to reach out and help people across the country and on a daily base.

Q: What has been some of your accomplishments in your community work that you are most proud of?

A: I have many accomplishments under my belt, therefore, it’s difficult to state "some." However, you can quote me as I'm proud of all as my mission has always been to help others and be the voice for the voiceless.

Q: Tell me your mission with Men of Distinction-Atlanta and Women of Distinction, Inc.?

A: First and foremost, the mission for each is different but the vision is the same. With that being said; the Men of Distinction-Atlanta Mission: To empower, support, instill positive values, embrace life lessons, focus on tomorrow and share knowledge with our youth.

Women of Distinction Inc. Mission: Mission: To better humanity, build up and empower our communities affecting social economics and creating collective consciousness resulting in positive social change.

Q: Are there any talk show hosts on radio, or on television, that have influenced you with what you are doing with your show on radio now?

A: Absolutely. Some people may flinch as I share the following names but here goes: Wendy Williams, Nancy Grace, and Diane Sawyer. Why these 3 ladies; they have unique personalities, attention grabbers, bring fact base information with their on perspective and opinions. They all fall within my slogan; #ComingDirect.

Q: Your show is named, "Coming Direct with Freda" (?), what do you think makes your show a standout, and how long has the show been on the air?

A: My show stands out as I'm not aware of any radio host that frequently have high profile guests and discuss topics that are important to people no matter their race, religion or economic status. I've had politicians, entertainers, actors/actresses, doctors, judges, attorney, and NFL icons from across the United States on my show. My fan base know that I will always bring content that relevant, thought-provoking, edgy, yet fun!

Q: You also have a co-host on your show, Lil' G?

A: What's his name and how did you two get together? Gary "Lil G" Jenkins is the lead singer with the Legendary R&B Group Silk. I met the group which includes "Lil G" in the early/mid 90s as they came out in support of a Holiday Concert that I put together in Atlanta for less fortunate children that was nationally broadcast by Black Entertainment TV (BET) Team Summit. Silk is a member of my organization; Men of Distinction-Atlanta. We've been friends/family since the 90s.

Q: You have a very commercial look. You kind of remind me of NBC's Tamron Hall. Do you have any plans to do television?

A: What other ventures or opportunities are presenting themselves since you started doing radio? Thanks for your kind words! I would love to host or co-host a television show. Coming Direct; I will bring a lot to the table (smile). I'm open and accepting ideas and requests.

Q: Who has been some of your favorite guests so far, and who is it you would really like to have on the show as a guest?

A: That's a HARD question; as I had so many interesting, informative, funny and courageous guests; but to name a few: former 2-term Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond, State Senator Marlon Kimpson, Judge Vonda Evans, Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes, retired NFL icons Billy "Whiteshoes" Johnson and Ray Lewis, Freda Payne, Melba Moore, R&B Group Silk, R&B Group Troop, Tiffany Cochran (daughter of the belated Johnny Cochran), Alia Bundles, Trina "Thumper" Parks (first African American James Bond 007 Girl), Lisa Nicole Cloud (BRAVO Reality Star Married to Medicine), Pastor Taffi Dollar, Dr. Barbara King and more.

Q: So, what's next for "Coming Direct with Freda", where do you see the show going over the next two years?

A: That's a good question. I'll leave it at that.

Q: I always like to close my Q&A sessions with some advice to any young girls, especially, who may see this article, or hear you on the radio, what advice would you give them about pursuing a career in radio?

A: Never STOP dreaming. Write a plan of action and execute with precision while staying in prayer.