Today we’d like to introduce you to Ambie Renee.
Hi Ambie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
How I got into media/communications is a crazy story. The short version is when I was younger, I was a little mischievous lol. So, whenever I’d do something crazy my mom would make me write about it. So, I’d write “I will not lie to my mom” about 3000 times – literally. She’d make me write it 3000 times. I used that to perfect my handwriting lol. Then I started loving writing overall. I loved it so much that when I was 15, I interned at our local newspaper, The Virginian Pilot. Then I wanted to venture into a different form of media and interned at our local news station WAVY-TV 10. At the time television broadcast didn’t seem for me. So, I started working at iHeartRadio as a promotions assistant. It wasn’t what I wanted to do but I just needed to get my foot in the door. I’d sneak in the studio at night around midnight to about 4A and just practice my on-air skillet. Eventually, I got caught but they knew I wasn’t going to stop so they put me on at 6A on our hip-hop station, 103 Jamz, on Saturday mornings. My rating were really good and now I’m on all of our IHeartRadio music stations and I guest host on our local news station on Wednesdays all thanks to my mom lol.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not, I kept asking to be on-air and was told no HUNDREDS of times. That’s why I kept sneaking in the studio and practicing. I’d go on LinkedIn and find Program Directors in other markets and ask for feedback as well as our PD here in Norfolk. I kept bettering my craft. On top of that, although I’m born and raised here, getting the community to accept me as the only female on-air here with the company was a task. The struggle for me was I was and still am EXTREMELY introverted. That’s why love radio. It brings me out of my comfort zone. But I couldn’t be the anti-social radio personality. So, I had to put myself out there. And I was socially awkward for so long. But over time I grew accustomed to the “outside life” and was embraced by my home.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an on-air radio personality on Movin’ 107.7, 103 Jamz, and 92.1 The Beat and I’m on-air Mon-Sun from 10A – 7P. I also oversee iHeartCommunities so I’m known for bridging the gap between radio and the community. I’m also the only local female on all of those stations and that’s what I’m known for – being the female representation. Because of that, I launched a platform called “Finding Her Way” to help other women stand out in their fields and flourish!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One thing about Norfolk and the 757, we stick together. We’re a very supportive community. Over the years, the violence has really ramped up and gave us a bad reputation. That’s what I like least. This isn’t the Norfolk I remember growing up in, but I still have faith in my city that we can turn it around.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @AmbieReneeOnAir
- Facebook: @AmbieReneeOnAir
- Twitter: @AmbieReneeOnAir
- Youtube: @AmbieReneeOnAir
