By Marissa Spencer
At 107.7 The Bronc, two twin brothers, Ellis and Jaden Foreman, have taken the initiative to honor Black History Month, African American culture, and music through 107.7 The Bronc’s annual Milestones in African American History. With a shared passion for storytelling and culture, these Film & Television students have crafted an engaging month-long series that highlights the contributions of Black figures who have left an indelible mark on American history.
Sophomore Film and television major, Ellis who doubles as the station’s Assistant Promotions Director, was motivated to lead the programming out of a deep respect for the trailblazers who paved the way for him and others. “I chose to write and produce Milestones to highlight the important contributions that African Americans have made to the United States. As an African-American student, I feel like I have a certain responsibility to uplift the people who came before me and made it possible to be where I am today,” he shared.
Undertaking a project of this scale came with its obstacles. “The biggest challenge was writing two to three paragraphs of interesting information for 31 different individuals,” Ellis explained. “The second challenge was diversifying the amount of talent recording each and every milestone. We wanted as many people as possible to read and engage with these stories.” Jaden echoed similar sentiments, “Not only did we have to find fantastic individuals to highlight, but we also had to navigate the logistics of recording. Since much of our staff and on-air talent were away during the winter break, a lot of the recordings were complete just days before publishing,” he added. Despite the hurdles, their dedication paid off, and the project successfully aired, bringing awareness to lesser-known, yet equally significant, African American figures featuring every one of The Bronc’s executive staff members.
Born and raised in Union, NJ, Ellis and Jaden’s heritage is a blend of Jamaican and African-American roots. They celebrate Kwanzaa annually as a way to reflect, grow, and uplift their community. “African-American culture was the dominant culture surrounding me growing up,” Ellis said. “I learned many valuable life lessons, recipes, and song lyrics through it.”Jaden added, “Music is a huge part of our culture. Even though I’m not religious, Gospel music helped us get through decades of oppression. Jazz, Hip Hop, and Soul continue to push the boundaries of Black success in the world.”
Ellis and Jaden both credit Black artists and historical figures who came before them for shaping their perspectives and passions. For Ellis, Gil Scott Heron and Michael Jackson stand out. “They both left a lasting impact on the way people view art and how future generations create it.” Jaden finds inspiration in a variety of musicians, from Dr. Dre to Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis. “These artists not only paved the way for future generations but also spoke about issues facing the community through their music.”
Beyond music, Ellis admires Hiram Revels, the first African American to serve in the United States Congress. “Despite facing opposition for the color of his skin, he fought back and worked to improve life for African Americans post-Civil War.” Jaden sees Black influence everywhere. “I don’t think I can choose just one person. From politics to music, engineering to activism, African Americans have shaped the modern world in countless ways,” he exclaimed with pride.
When choosing which historical figures to feature, the brothers were intentional about selecting individuals who might not be widely known to give them the coverage they deserve. Many BHM events feature the likes of those we’ve learned about in history books; however, it was up to the Foreman’s to show our listeners a broader impact of the Black community. “We started by searching for ‘the first African-American elected to Congress’ and ‘the first African-American registered architect,’ and from there, we discovered even more names,” Ellis explained. Jaden emphasized the importance of bringing these figures to light, “Many in the world want the general population to be oblivious to the greatness that is Black History, so we must keep pushing it forward to new audiences.”
While Ellis sees himself continuing with more programming at 107.7 The Bronc in the future, Jaden enjoys focusing on his role as Promotions Director but remains open to similar projects. Be sure to catch Jaden and Ellis the first Thursday of the month at 107.7 The Bronc’s Club Pub to get a glimpse of their DJing in action!
Regardless of where their careers take them, both brothers are committed to storytelling and ensuring Black history remains at the forefront of conversations. Through Milestones in African American History, Ellis and Jaden have given a platform to voices of the past, educating and inspiring listeners today. Their efforts at 107.7 The Bronc demonstrate the power of college radio as a tool for representation, awareness, and change within one’s community.
You can listen to Milestones in African American History every hour, from now until February 28 exclusively on 107.7 The Bronc and 107.7 The Bronc Retro. Click here to listen live; or here to listen to every milestone on-demand.