Rob Redding

Robert "Rob" Redding, Jr. (born January 13, 1976) is an American commentator, Independent activist and author. Redding is Publisher of "ReddingNewsReview.com" and host of "Redding News Review", a nationally syndicated radio show and podcast targeted to black people and beyond.

Redding News Review

Redding Web site, Redding News Review, is responsible for breaking stories like: former Atlanta Mayor and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young's comments about Sen. Barack Obama not being ready to be president; syndicated Columnist Leonard Pitts being threatened by a white supremacist group; and NBC Nightly News Managing Editor and Anchor Brian Williams comments about diversity not being a big issue. Both Williams and NBC apologized for those comments. [Redding News Review: url http://reddingnewsreview.com/ourstory.htm]

The Web site's top content is syndicated hourly by Google News. Its stories are heard regularly on NPR, XM Satellite Radio and the Fox News Channel. Its comprehensive coverage of the black community became a resource for Fox News during the Don Imus "nappy-headed ho's" controversy. Its scoops have also been acknowledged or linked to by BET, MSNBC, Roll Call, The Baltimore Sun, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Washington Times, The National Newspaper Association and many more. [Redding News Review: url http://reddingnewsreview.com/ourstory.htm]

The Web site - which has been called "an Internet clearinghouse for African-American news," by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - won a black Web Award in November of 2007. [Redding News Review: url http://reddingnewsreview.com/ourstory.htm]

The Washington Continent

He is also publisher of "The Washington Continent", a general interest continuously updated website covering politics in and around Washington, D.C., from a nonpartisan, Independent perspective.

Background

Redding is the son of Rev. Robert Redding Sr., an Atlanta pastor and former president of the Fayette County's Black Voters League, and the late Mary Ann Redding, who was an Atlanta public school teacher and a Fayette school board candidate. He began his media career as a hip-hop radio personality at KZWA-FM, while on a full debate scholarship at McNeese State University in Lake Charles in 1994.

In 1996, he accepted a full time position as a hip-hop night personality at WIBB-FM in Macon, GA - where he was named "Tony Smoove" by his program director. (Ironically, Macon is a city where the Redding family name is known for the accomplishments of another family member, '60s soul singer Otis Redding - known for Sittin' On the Dock Of The Bay, Try A Little Tenderness, I've Been Loving You Too Long, These Arms of Mine, Shake, Tramp and Merry Christmas Baby/White Christmas).

He has since been named one of the "100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America" by "Talkers Magazine" and awarded a proclamation by the Atlanta City Council for his hard hitting uniquely Independent talk radio show.

He has also been called "one of the most respected names in the media" ("Upscale magazine"), "one of the most intellectual and intriguing radio talk show hosts since Tavis Smiley" ("Radio Facts") and a "rising star" ("Talkers magazine").

Redding is author of "Hired Hatred: Why politicians and the political prejudices they tout are mutually exclusive from good government". His Independent manifesto is said to "invoke an activist spirit," according to a review in 2005 by New York's "Black Star News".

In 2006, he founded IndependentThinkers.org, an organization dedicated to conducting research and rewarding its members with scholarships, internships, jobs, publishing, broadcasting and networking opportunities that advance critical nonpartisan, Independent thought, according to the group's website.

The Smear Painter

Redding is also an artist, who paints abstract "smear paintings." The Washington, D.C., "Georgetowner" highlighted only his art in a group show on Capitol Hill in 2006 writing: "It is always an event anytime Rob Redding's smear paintings are featured."

References

External links

* [http://robertredding.com/ Rob Redding official website]
* [http://reddingnewsreview.com/ Rob Redding news site]
* [http://washingtoncontinent.com/ The Washington Continent site]
* [http://smearpainting.com/ Rob Redding art site]
* [http://independentthinkers.org/ Independent Thinkers site]