Report: Simpson Inks Multi-Year Deal with Radio One

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Donnie Simpson

Veteran Washington, DC air personality Donnie Simpson, 61, is leaving retirement after five years to handle afternoons (3-7pm) on Radio One's Urban AC WMMJ-FM (Majic 102.3) under a multi-year deal, beginning August 17, reports the Washington Post. Simpson is also reportedly in discussions with co-owned cable TV channel TV One to host a music-themed program.

Simpson started his radio career at WJLB in Detroit when he was 15 years old. After eight years on Detroit airwaves, he moved to Washington, D.C. to host the morning show and serve as program director at WKYS-FM. In 1993, he accepted a disc jockey position at WPGC-FM. Simultaneously, Simpson's television took off in the early '80s when he was the backup sports anchor for George Michael on NBC's WRC-TV in DC. This led to his 14 years at BET, where he started as one of the nation's first video jockeys hosting the hit show Video Soul.

As an active community volunteer, Simpson has served as Honorary Chairman of the National Black Family Reunion and has been instrumental in fundraising efforts for AIDS research and the United Negro College Fund. He and his wife also established The Donnie & Pam Simpson Scholarship Fund to assist minority college hopefuls.