Today we’d like to introduce you to Kwamé Hall
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Elementary, my dear Voyage. My origin story begins at Whidby Elementary in Houston, Texas.
In preparation of Black History Month my fifth grade teacher asked the class who wanted to compete for the opportunity to present the Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have A Dream” speech in front of the entire school.
I came out victorious in the readings from the classroom which led to countless hours of memorizing and rehearsing at home. When the day came to hit the stage (school cafeteria) I remember the teacher in charge of the Black History event briefly saying, “If you get nervous just look at the clock on the back wall”.
Welp! I looked at that clock on the back wall for a second and realized play time was over. Immediately, I got into character and looked directly into that crowd of familiar and unknown faces. As I scanned the room and mimicked the gestures of MLK, his dream became my reality. I received a standing ovation and was quickly educated on what an “encore performance” was which led to a second standing ovation.
At the age of 10 I had no idea that this moment would be a core memory foreshadowing my life.
What they (classmates and teachers) didn’t know, was that this vibrant, quick-witted kid who eagerly jumped at the chance to compete/perform was the baby brother of two much older, extremely competitive and sometimes dangerously combative brothers. The oldest Anthony (9 years older) and the middle child Corey (5 years older) made sure that young Kwamé took many losses on a daily.
From losing in Super Tecmo Bowl on Nintendo, to dibs on who would use the bathroom first. There were zero chances of joining with them in any athletic endeavors, “you’re too small” or “you will get hurt” were the common objections. Let’s not even talk about dinner time lol it was guaranteed last place (I wasn’t that hungry anyway).
The summer after that performance in fifth grade, my mom was contacted by my elementary school that an opportunity was available for her son to perform that same speech but this time at the George R. Brown Convention Center for MLK Jr.‘s nephew. The only catch to this amazing moment would be, the event takes place the next day. With that being said Black History Month was in February. Since then I had graduated from elementary and it was the summer before I started at Ryan Middle School. It had been almost half a year since I rehearsed that speech.
Even with this adversity, I still accepted the invitation and prepared for my new moment in the spotlight. My confidence was high and I was ready to go until I got to the podium. All of a sudden, everything I hustled to remember the day before went blank. I stood there for about three seconds without saying anything and in the business of public speaking that’s a lifetime of silence.
Thankfully, my mother was there and she yelled “I have a dream” from an audience so full of people I couldn’t identify where she was but that outburst was enough to resuscitate my memory, and I was able to execute my oratorical goals.
The crowd applauded and I received hugs and handshakes from the different people on the panel, including the family members of MLK. Even so, this was the first time I felt sad after a performance. I remember coming off stage being embraced by my mom, and I began to cry, feeling embarrassed, and thinking I failed. There was a random man who greeted my mom and I who said he worked in radio. Then began letting me know how good of a job I did and that the mistake I felt I made, happens to the best of us.
In high school I joined the morning announcements team for a brief stint. By this time, I was long removed from the competitive oratorical scene and started to show more of my humorous personality.
The little one liners and attention grabbers that I would intertwine with the mandatory information made such an impact, that the teachers had complications with controlling their classrooms after I was done.
This lead to a probation from the morning announcements. When asked if I was ready to return, I declined. The fact they (administration) thought I didn’t take it seriously even though that was contrary to the time and effort I put in to connect with my peers, who would normally ignore the announcements completely. No way would I comply to some generic way of speaking.
After graduating from Mayde Creek High School I was able to develop my nindo (ninja way) at Texas Southern University.
My entire tenure at TSU was accomplished without having a vehicle to call my own. I carpooled, used taxis, used public transportation and walked everywhere (ride share did not exist). My five (2003-2008) years at TSU would be too rich of a story to detail in one setting on this platform. So I will highlight some accolades preceding my BA in Communications with emphasis in Broadcast Journalism:
* Public Address Announcer for Football, Basketball and Soccer
* Sports Editor for Newspaper and Yearbook (also sold articles to local newspapers)
* Sports Writer for TSU Sports Information Department
* Created my own show on YouTube before it was cool (Talk On Da Walk)
* Hype Man for the Ocean Of Soul Marching Band
* Multiple On-Air slots with KTSU Radio
* Walk-On Track & Field Decathlete (Flying T)
* Houston Texans Media Relations Internship
* Sports Radio 610 Internship
* Radio One Houston Internship
* Produced TV Ad for local Pet Shop
* Member of NABJ
* VP of TSU ABJ
Just before graduating from Texas Southern University, I was able to create a new career for myself during my internship with Radio One Houston based off my skill set with video editing and creating social media content.
In my first year at Radio One Houston, I developed several YouTube accounts for multiple radio stations. During this time I made the transition for traditional radio personalities a little less rocky when navigating the unexplored space of digital media.
This allowed me to build and cultivate relationships throughout the company, therefore creating new opportunities in old spaces. In exchange, I became the producer of the Swisha House Mix with Michael 5000 Watts. Learned the life of promotions and marketing as well as taking on the role of Assistant Online Editor. Eventually, I became an On-Air personality which meshed well with my already prominent online presence.
My exposure to the Houston community and surrounding areas grew exponentially in a short amount of time, allowing me to build relationships with local TV programs such as “Find Me In The H TV” where I would produce and host. This program was based out of Houston but traveled the world to create content.
That success led me to collaborate on another program titled “The Hip-Hop Shop”. Here my responsibilities expanded to director. This show focused on up and coming talent from the creative arts space. Primarily teenagers were hosts.
At one point you could hear me on the radio and see me on TV simultaneously. When attending red carpet events like the BET Awards I would live stream and film separately but at the same time from different angles.
After a decade in the radio industry, I transitioned to live performances as a host and hype man working with Night Nation Run. The experience points I collected from elementary competitions all the way to my professional days on radio and tv accumulated to a space where I could put everything I’ve mastered on display. Night Nation Run is the world’s first running music festival. A 5k musical voyage filled with live music, lights, lasers and celebration for the lover of EDM.
While touring the world with NNR I met my beautiful wife Angela who just happened to be from Fort Worth, Texas. With my gift of gab allowing me to travel or make money wherever I’m located, it was no problem to settle in Funky Town and make the DFW my new head quarters of purpose.
The first community I connected with was Las Colinas located in the city of Irving. Based off the work I had done with NNR. The Irving Marathon Running Series linked up with me at the Toyota Music Factory and we’ve been making magic ever since.
TMF management saw how I engaged with the crowd during the Irving Marathon and noticed that I create experiences opposed to just filling the air with meaningless chatter. Not long after I got a call to become the go to emcee for TMF.
The relationship with TMF branched off and allowed me to work directly with the City of Irving hosting their Holidays at Heritage Tree Lighting where I introduced their mayor Rick Stopfer, so he could start the countdown for lighting the Christmas tree.
My bond with IMRS has proven to be equally beneficial providing me the privilege to host multiple events for the Las Colinas Association. I recommend all the dog lovers reading this article to try Paws Colinas 5K-9.
Last but not least, I’m also associated with the fighting industry that is alive and well in DFW. Remember that beautiful wife Angela I told you about earlier? When I married her, I became related to two prominent Fort Worth fighters turned coaches turned promoters. These guys are deeply respected and rooted in the community.
Durwyn Lamb of Lamb IV Promotions and Kendrick Releford of REMG Talent. Between these entities I’ve worked both sanctioned and non-sanctioned fights.
My interview skills have provided up and coming fighters as well as their gyms quality content they can share with family and friends. The ones who have winning records or good enough followings have been able to use the content to get sponsors.
My punch by punch commentary adds a comedic flare unseen to the fight world. The combination of my impact on a live audience and post production skills caught the attention of UFC Veteran Steven Ocho Peterson.
Ocho and I along with Lamb IV Promotions have successfully executed several sanctioned fights around the DFW.
If you or someone you know needs tips on #HowToHost visit kwamehall.com and use the CONTACT tab.
For booking visit kwamehall.com and use the CONTACT tab.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There was no road lol. My gift of gab was a metaphorical machete allowing me to create a path for others.
Some of the struggles along the way:
•Single Parent Home
•Divorced Parents with opposing religious beliefs
Church Of Christ vs Baptist Church
Awkward lol
•older siblings and primary grandfather out of my life by 10yrs old
-oldest sibling left for college
-next sibling moved with his dad and was in and out of jail/prison
•culture shock moving from hood to suburbs
•strict upbringing
•living in Houston, TX with no vehicle until graduating from college
•lack of financial literacy early on
•emotionally neglected (my feelings didn’t matter)
Challenges:
Learning to drive a stick shift from YouTube so I could get to work at a Radio Station in one of the top markets
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a creative. Primarily I host events and specialize in making those experiences become positive core memories for everyone in attendance.
I’m known for being prepared.
I’m most proud of being able to adjust.
“Be Water My Friend”-Bruce Lee
My energy sets me apart from others.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like that this city has accepted me with open arms and a smile.
I dislike the false confidence of Dallas Cowboys fans lol #RaiderNation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kwamehall.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwamehall_com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypeLife101?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@daboigenius?si=Tme9nYIX1aSoVJ1a
Image Credits
Stephen Goodgame
Audia Studio llc
Next Up Affiliated
