Radio personality Ramona Holloway is leaving the air to become the community affairs manager of Radio One.
This comes after the station’s announcement of her departure from co-hosting MIX 107.9’s Matt and Ramona Morning Show for more than 20 years.
In her new role, she plans to build relationships with local organizations to create change in the community and provide them with a platform at all six of Charlotte’s Radio One stations.
“I wanted to be a part of spreading the word about the people in our space who are doing things to make [the community] better,” she told QCity Metro.
Prior to MIX 107.9, Holloway has more than three decades of experience working with radio and talk shows, working at stations in Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina.
Her experience on the microphone includes hosting shows with formats from country and urban to Top 40 and gospel. She has served in a range of positions, from sales to news director and talk-show host.
Holloway said she and her co-host Matt Harris first met in 1993 while they were both working in Columbus, Ohio.
The two reconnected in 2000 when they co-hosted their first Morning talk show in Virginia Beach. A year later, they were recruited to bring their show to Charlotte, she said.
The Matt and Ramona Show was voted “Best Radio Show” by Charlotte Magazine readers two years in a row.
The show has been nominated for a Marconi Award, an honor that recognizes individuals and stations for their excellence in radio. And Holloway is the 2009, 2010 and 2011 winner of the Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Award for radio comedy. She was also named Best Radio Personality three times by Charlotte Magazine.
She has also co-hosted NBC Charlotte’s “Charlotte Today” for two years. And she hosted News Edge alongside Harris on WCCB-TV in Charlotte for four years.
Holloway said women co-hosts aren’t always viewed as equals compared to their male counterparts.
She said she is grateful to have worked with Harris and the station over the years, providing her with an equal say in the production of the show.
She said she appreciates her time at the station and how they gave her the opportunity to connect with people from different races and backgrounds through her work.
“I was willing to listen to other people and share my experiences without judgment with other people,” Holloway said, reflecting on her radio career. “And I think it showed people that we’re more alike than we are different.”
Holloway said Harris will remain with the station. She plans to join him as a special guest on his show from 9-10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The two will continue to record their “Off Air Podcast” episodes.
