05/27/2026
Fighting off some mid-week blues? Enjoy the latest edition of the HBCU Radio Preservation Project!
Danise Dorsey grew up in the West End of Louisville, Kentucky, a Black community that she says taught her much about self-determination and self-reliance. The area had a strong economy based on Black businesses and entrepreneurship, and community institutions like churches uplifted people through education initiatives. Her parents were both hardworking, and her father was a veteran and community organizer who focused on labor rights. Later, the family relocated to Glenarden, another Black community near Prince George’s County, Maryland. She saw similarities between her new home and Louisville, emphasizing that she was able to meet many prominent, inspiring people in the community. In high school, Danise got involved in social justice initiatives related to education, as the issue of integrating schools was front and center at the time. At the University of Maryland, she continued her organizing journey, becoming treasurer for the Black Student Union and creating fundraising projects for Black students.
After graduating, Danise began working for NASA. In this new stage of her life, she started to feel somewhat isolated. TV and radio were a constant in her home growing up, so she turned to radio and came across WEAA. Instantly a fan, she recalls loving “Two Way Talk” and learning about griots and the significance of oral history traditions. She began donating, and today she is proud to be a sustainer of the station with regular contributions. Danise especially appreciates the way WEAA provides a space for deep conversation into relevant topics as well as hands-on opportunities for students. She is excited to see the listenership expanding along with the number of women involved with the station. Danise continues to be community-minded, with much of her work centering around fair, safe, and affordable housing. She has even been interviewed at WEAA.
📻 Listen to the full interview on our YouTube channel!
