For the past several weeks, Nationally Syndicated Radio Talk Show Host Bev Smith says she has been bombarded with questions about her award winning nationally syndicated show leaving the airwaves forever on October 28, 2011. Rumors are circulating that Smith is retiring because of health related reasons. Smith says nothing is further from the truth and she wants to set the record straight with PUM. “I am not retiring; instead, I was notified by the American Urban Radio Networks that effective on October, 28, 2011 that the network would no longer carry “The Bev Smith Show.”

Smith says the reason given to her by AURN Management is that she could no longer attract a younger audience. Smith says after 13 years of being on the air at AURN, and numerous awards including 6 consecutive years of being named one of the top 50 Radio Talk Show Hosts in the country, by Talkers Magazine, that she was shocked and disappointed. Particularly because she is concerned about the lack of African American female voices utilizing the airwaves to highlight issues affecting the black community at such a politically critical time for African Americans and all Americans. “With President Obama under attack by the extreme right, the unemployment numbers skyrocketing in the black community and a health bill that is in jeopardy, voices like mine are needed more than ever.” Smith is concerned that in a media industry dominated by white and black males that her disappearance will signal the end of a strong black female voice, unafraid to stand up, be counted and get involved.

Smith tells Pittsburgh Urban Media, that she is being contacted by stations that currently carry her show and new stations are expressing an interest in adding her relevant voice and activism to their programming.

Smith continues to be in demand, this week she appeared again on FOX TV’s Lou Dobbs show, and next week she will join a host of African American leaders as they celebrate the 16^th anniversary of the Million Man March as a guest speaker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Smith says she is looking forward to continuing what she does best to make sure that the issues that affect African Americans globally do not get lost or ignored by mainstream media. “I appreciate all of my fans that are blowing up my Facebook page, calling my nationally syndicated show, finding any way possible to connect with me to let me know that they are not ready for the Bev Smith Show to leave the airwaves.”

In the meantime, Smith is continuing to bring the kind of information and activism that she has done for the past 42 years in her career in radio and television, “Thank you for the love and support, and I want you to know that ‘Ms. Bev’ will not stop talking.”