THE JAZZ OF THE CITY
A COMMUNITY HISTORY OF JAZZ IN ATLANTA
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CALL FOR BOOK CHAPTERS & ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS
The Jazz of the City will combine academic research and oral history to offer both historical outlines and vivid narrative color.
We invite scholars to shine a light on the details of jazz in Atlanta in all forms and fashions.
We also invite individuals central to creating and honoring jazz culture to contribute their stories via oral history interview.
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co-editors
Stephanie Y. Evans
Stephanie Y. Evans
Stephanie Y. Evans
Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans is a Professor of Black Women’s Studies (WGSS and AAS) at Georgia State University. Her research focus is intellectual history, mental health, and wellness. She is author of four books, including Black Passports: Travel Memoirs as a Tool for Youth Empowerment (2014) and Black Women in the Ivory Tower, 1850-1954: An
Dr. Stephanie Y. Evans is a Professor of Black Women’s Studies (WGSS and AAS) at Georgia State University. Her research focus is intellectual history, mental health, and wellness. She is author of four books, including Black Passports: Travel Memoirs as a Tool for Youth Empowerment (2014) and Black Women in the Ivory Tower, 1850-1954: An Intellectual History (2007). She is lead co-editor of five books, including African Americans and Community Engagement in Higher Education (2009). She is the 2025-2026 National Director of the Association of Black Women Historians.
Kiplyn Primus
Stephanie Y. Evans
Stephanie Y. Evans
Kiplyn Primus hosts The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus, heard Saturday mornings at 7a on WCLK. Primus is a graduate of Howard University and Clark Atlanta University and has a long career in public and commercial media. She is a veteran facilitator for StoryCorps' Atlanta studio and has written extensively on global and local initiatives for a number of publications.
WCLK editorial board
Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams
Wendy F. Williams is one of the nation’s pre-eminent female leaders of a major market media outlet. In addition to her role as the creator and executive producer of the inaugural Jazz Music Awards (JMA) which launched in Atlanta in 2022, Williams serves as general manager of Jazz 91.9 WCLK-FM, an NPR public radio station licensed to Clark
Wendy F. Williams is one of the nation’s pre-eminent female leaders of a major market media outlet. In addition to her role as the creator and executive producer of the inaugural Jazz Music Awards (JMA) which launched in Atlanta in 2022, Williams serves as general manager of Jazz 91.9 WCLK-FM, an NPR public radio station licensed to Clark Atlanta University. WCLK is now celebrating 50 years on the air. Williams’ career in broadcasting spans nearly 40 years; and is inclusive of commercial radio and television, and nonprofit public radio with formats ranging from hard news, country, and jazz music formats. Williams’ decisive and steady leadership at WCLK for the past 30 years has helped to earn WCLK a solid reputation as a world-class jazz radio station in Atlanta’s crowded multimedia landscape.
Jamal Ahmad
Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams
Jamal Ahmad is an award winning syndicated on-air personality who has served Jazz 91.9 WCLK for over 30 years. Jamal says when he began as a 20 years old junior at Morehouse College junior, “jazz became my ministry.” He hosts the S.O.U.L. of Jazz (Sounds of Universal Love) and is a producer/member of The DangerFeel Newbies.
Curtis D. Byrd
Wendy Williams
Curtis D. Byrd
Dr. Curtis D. Byrd is CEO and co-founder of Academic Pipeline Project (APP) and has served as a guest DJ and voice over artist for WCLK. Prior to APP, he served as the Special Advisor to the Provost at Georgia State University as well as the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Sr. Associate Director of Graduate Enrollment at Clark Atl
Dr. Curtis D. Byrd is CEO and co-founder of Academic Pipeline Project (APP) and has served as a guest DJ and voice over artist for WCLK. Prior to APP, he served as the Special Advisor to the Provost at Georgia State University as well as the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Sr. Associate Director of Graduate Enrollment at Clark Atlanta University. He is the lead singer of the Mooky Byrd Band and was a radio DJ throughout college.