Jeffonia Wynn (’12), known to radio station listeners across the Greater Cincinnati area as Ms. Ebony J, started her career in a Landrum Academic Center studio on Northern Kentucky University’s campus in 2008.
With nothing more than a soundboard, microphone and computer, she launched “The Ebony J Show” within three weeks of joining Norse Code Radio, NKU’s student-operated radio station.
Wynn’s love for radio started at the age of 5, when she spent her days with an ear cradled next to a speaker listening to the week’s top musical hits. During high school, she turned her radio obsession into focused involvement, completing internships at WCPO, the Scripps Howard Foundation and Radio One Cincinnati.
She could never shake the feeling that she was meant to be on the radio, and in 2010 things really took off. While still a junior in the College of Informatics, Wynn saw that people were already taking notice of who she was.
“The radio show was growing. I had a really big following in Cincinnati,” she says. “People would tune in and call me to see if I could come and speak at their event. As I got closer to graduation, I realized I needed this as a business.”
After leaving NKU with a bachelor’s in electronic media and broadcasting and a minor in communications, Wynn went on the hunt for her dream job as on-air talent. But when she landed a producer position at The Wiz, she took a step back, into the studio but away from the mic, to focus on working her way up the ladder. And when potential hosting opportunities arose, she pursued each one.
“It took me five interviews to get hired,” she says. “But when I started, I was ready.”
Wynn’s first on-air job found her hosting her own show at 101.1 The Wiz, after which she moved to shows such as The Doll House with Paigion, The Russ Parr Morning Show and The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Currently, she’s back to hosting her own show on R&B Cincy 100.3.
Wynn chased her dream and caught success—but she credits much of it to her experiences on NKU’s campus.
“NKU prepared me for my career because it allowed me to understand everything I’m doing now,” she says. “I was doing nothing but practicing what I was learning in the classroom and developing the habits that come along with being a host and media personality. NKU gave me that, and it’s something I will always be thankful for.”
And, through hard work, Wynn grew her radio success in a variety of different directions. In addition to her on-air work, she teaches at the Ohio Media School and emcees parties, fundraising events, leadership camps, awards ceremonies, conferences and concerts.
Beyond career endeavors, though, Wynn’s passion is empowering survivors of sexual assault, abuse and rape through her business, Ebony J Media, which she launched in 2015.
“Our life is a journey, and we might not like or love it, but it’s who we are,” she says. “My business has grown to be a platform to empower queens to live out their true purpose. I’ve worked kings into that equation as well.”
A victim of assault herself, Wynn chooses to share her own experience in hopes of helping survivors move forward.
“We know that one in five women and one in seven men suffer from sexual violence. That shows how it’s not about me, and it’s about making people heal,” she says. “I use my platform to let survivors know that you can’t go numb based off the pain you have experienced in the world, because pain is preparing you for what is meant for you. I’m a survivor. I want to be the example to show people that they have the power to heal.”
Wynn wants to create a safe space where survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape can feel safe—something she is grateful she was able to experience following her trauma.
“There were multiple people who didn’t give up on me and saved my life. It took real love, and I want to share that. This is way bigger than me. What keeps me going is that one girl at home who’s broken and scared. I’m doing all of this for her.”
