Longtime Grambling State radio voice, administrator and professor Santoria Black has been named the new general manager for Red Peach Radio in Ruston.
Red Peach Radio operates radio stations Z107.5, SportsTalk 97.7, The Peach 99.3, and Hitz 96.3.
Black takes over the reins from long-time manager Gary McKenney who is retiring.
“Red Peach has been searching for a new manager since January,” said McKenney. “We are so pleased that Santoria agreed to take the general manager position. He has years of experience in the industry and in teaching broadcasting at Grambling University. He’s been with our company part-time for years, and will easily slip into this leadership role.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed running these radio stations for decades. I’ve been in radio for 56 years, and it’s time to kick back a little. I’ll be working part time with Red Peach during the transition.”
A native of Beloit, Wisconsin, Black has been in the radio and television broadcasting industry for over 30 years.
He attended Grambling State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication in 1998 and a Master of Sports Administration degree in 2008.
“I’m so blessed and thankful for this opportunity,” said Black. “There are truly great people at Red Peach that I have worked with over the years that are like family. I look forward to working with them going forward.”
Black has been the director of the Grambling State University Sports Radio Network for over 20 years. He has also served as a professor in the Mass Communications department and the creator/director of the online lab radio station at Grambling State University for the past eight years.
He has also been a part of the Red Peach Radio family since 2003, serving in numerous capacities. Black is married to his high school sweetheart and fellow Grambling alum, Shae, for 27 years and together they have three children: Dejorae, Jeralyn and Santoria III.
