Hour of Excellence

A tribute to Glynnell Presley for his Birthday in April 2026.

Stories and poems about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Originally aired November 15, 2025 on 107.9 WUAF FM Lake City, FL

Columbia High School (CHS) in Lake City, Florida, tribute to honor Cordez Markeith King, a beloved member of the school community who served as a permanent substitute teacher. The tribute highlighted King's significant impact on both students and staff. Principal Mr. Trey Hosford shared personal reflections on King's dedication, emphasizing his consistent presence and positive influence throughout the halls of CHS. Cordez Markeith King was more than a substitute; he was a fixture whose kindness and commitment to the students left a lasting mark on the Fighting Tiger family. The podcast interview was conducted by Cordez's godmother, Mrs. Bernice Presley.

Hour of Excellence: “Mr. Sun” Join us as we learn all about the mighty sun! Aired September 13, 2025, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL

Summary: In this encouraging and eye-opening episode, we explore why making mistakes isn’t something to fear—it’s something to learn from!

Interview with a talented young violinist. Her story will inspire kids to believe in their abilities. The episode also features an interactive nursery rhyme segment, where everyone can sing along and learn new rhymes. Aired July 5, 2025 on 107.9 FM WUAF

Join us as we celebrate the birthdays of two beloved community leaders --- Pastors Anthony and Minnie Gomes from The Angel Radio Network, 107.9 FM WUAF in Lake City, FL. Originally aired June 19, 2025, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL.

Summary: In this special Hour of Excellence episode, we celebrate Father’s Day and honor the powerful history behind Juneteenth! Listeners will enjoy fun facts about Father's Day and explore the important role fathers play in our lives. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. Through age-appropriate stories and songs, kids will learn why June 19th is a day of freedom, pride, and celebration in African American history. Originally aired June 14, 2025, on 107.9FM WUAF Lake City, FL

In this episode, we explore the wild and wonderful world of weather—just for kids! Originally aired May 31, 2025, on 107.9FM WUAF Lake City, FL

Historian Dr. Christopher M. Esing discusses Florida Emancipation Day. Florida Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on May 20, commemorating the proclamation of emancipation in Tallahassee on that date in 1865. This date marks the end of slavery in Florida, eleven days after the Civil War ended and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Happy Emancipation Day, Lake City and Columbia County, FL. 2025. Celebrating 160 Years of Freedom. Many enslaved African Americans in Columbia County, upon being set free, married in mass. Weddings for those who were enslaved were generally only recognized on the plantation and not in the legal system, so 25 couples took the chance to legally become husband and wife. A Justice of the Peace in Gainesville named Fryer offered to wed all freedmen, and a group from Columbia County went to his home. He provided a barrel of free lemonade and refreshments. The newlyweds danced and partied all night long at the judge’s house because of the distance they had to travel. Their wedding day offered local freedmen their first real taste of freedom. ~ Florida Emancipation Day with Dr. Christopher M. Esing.

Podcast Summary – Hour of Excellence Radio Show for Kids The Hour of Excellence is a dynamic, engaging educational podcast designed especially for curious and ambitious kids! Each episode delivers a fun mix of knowledge and inspiration, featuring: These kid-friendly lessons on the stock market and the S&P 500 help young listeners understand money, investing, and the economy. Exciting Japanese language segments, where kids learn basic vocabulary, fun phrases, and cultural insights. Fascinating history lessons that bring major events and important figures to life. Bonus content like trivia, fun facts, and mini-challenges to keep kids thinking and growing. With a focus on excellence, discovery, and real-world learning, Hour of Excellence is where young leaders start their journey toward greatness.

Linda Hugley is President and Founder of Women of Veteran Affairs (W.O.V.A.) Website: https://wovainc.org. The Women of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to honoring the dignity and quality of life of all veterans and their families by eliminating barriers to opportunities. Every Veteran and their family will have the opportunity to receive education, available resources, and counseling to enhance their lives. Originally aired on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL March 26, 2025

KC is a 4th-year college student from Mississippi State.

Reverend Barbara Thomas, Union Hill AME Church, Wacissa FL Originally aired on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL on March 19, 2025

Elder Daniels serves at Living Word Outreach Ministries in Lake City, Florida, under the leadership of her husband, Pastor Sammy Daniels. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Theology from Life Christian University in Tampa, Florida. In addition to her ministry work, she is a mentor and serves as the Secretary of the Youth Women of Excellence Organization. Originally aired on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, Florida March 12, 2025

In the "Health and Wellness for Kids" episode of the Hour of Excellence podcast, listeners are provided practical tips to promote children's well-being. The episode covers easy-to-follow exercise routines, tasty snack ideas, stress-relief techniques, and positive mindset practices, all tailored for kids. This episode is part of the "STEM at Home" series, which aims to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into daily family activities. The series encourages families to explore educational and enjoyable practices at home by combining health and wellness topics with STEM concepts. Originally aired March 8, 2025, on 107.9 FM WUAF Lake City, FL

Pastor Ava D. Curry is an ordained itinerant elder in the Mount Tabor African Methodist Episcopal Church, committed to her faith and community. She pursued theological studies at Payne Theological Seminary. Pastor Curry is married to the late Rev. Rickey Lamar Curry Sr., who served in Bellville, Florida. She has a passion for helping others and enjoys engaging with her community. In her upcoming podcast episode, Pastor Curry will delve into women’s history, sharing insights and stories that highlight the significant contributions of women throughout time.

Originally aired on 107.9FM WUAF, Lake City FL

Alonzo “AJ” Brinson is a dedicated servant-leader and scholar hailing from Lake City, Florida. Currently, he is a sophomore majoring in Religion at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. At Morehouse, Alonzo holds the esteemed position of Student Government Association Chaplain, where he provides spiritual guidance to the student body. He also serves as the Outreach & Evangelism Chair for the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Assistance Program, reflecting his commitment to community engagement and spiritual development. Additionally, he is on the Executive Board for the Student Government Association, serving as the Chaplain of Student Safety, where he works to ensure the well-being of his peers. Alonzo’s leadership journey began at Columbia High School, where he was elected Class President for all four years. During his high school tenure, he was inducted into the National Honor Society and served as Vice President of the National Achievers Society, underscoring his academic excellence and leadership capabilities. Beyond his academic and leadership roles, Alonzo has gained valuable ministerial experience through internships at prominent churches. He served as an intern at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church under the mentorship of Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin and at The House of Hope Atlanta under Rev. Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr. These experiences have enriched his pastoral skills and deepened his commitment to faith-based community service. His voice has reached far beyond the church walls, as he has been invited to speak at significant events and organizations. He was honored to speak at the 15th Annual MLK Praise and Worship Service in Lake City, Florida, in January 2024. Additionally, his impact was recognized by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Atlanta, where he was invited to share his message of faith, justice, and empowerment. Through his work in ministry, leadership, and community engagement, Alonzo Brinson continues to inspire and uplift those my around the him, embodying the values of Morehouse College.