Josefa Salinas

Known as radio’s “Angelita de la Noche” (Angel of the Night) Josefa Salinas’ sensuous, yet commanding voice has delighted listeners throughout California for twenty years. This breakthrough female Latina DJ, who continues to delight fans on L.A.’s HOT 92 JAMZ, has become a role model for women, and a powerful symbol for Latinos.

>>  I’ll be asking Josefa what initially drew her to radio, and what she’s learned from her different positions.

Josefa has extended her way of reaching people and changing their lives emotionally, psychologically and financially, by writing a first book entitled: 101 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU DATE MY DAUGHTER, MY BEST FRIEND OR ME.

This soon to be bestseller is a view of relationships and how they affect the different sexes. For years, Josefa collected information from both males and females of all ages, who would call her radio show and cry, beg, complain, give and receive much needed advice. Josefa’s listeners discussed issues and worries that both singles and couples deal with. After years of dealing with the various relationship issues, Josefa decided to compile the advice, and a book was born.

The format of the book makes it a very easy read for all ages. Each topic is a numbered statement offering advice to men and women on a variety of subjects related to relationships, all from Josefa’s experience and that of her listeners.

>>  What are some of the key messages of the book, and was there a defining moment that encouraged her to take on the project of becoming an author?

Two dollars from every book sold will be donated to the Heritage Begins Within foundation (among other causes). The various programs targeted by Heritage Begins Within are passionate causes to Josefa: single mothers who are interested in furthering their education and attending college, and programs providing single mothers or struggling families with down payment assistance for a home.

Ms. Salinas, who is herself a single mother, has been a relentless advocate for the underserved communities in Los Angeles, and is the director of Heritage Begins Within, foundation. In addition, Josefa has joined forces with the Denise Roberts Breast Cancer foundation, The Knowledge is Power foundation, The Barbara Davis Center for Children’s Diabetes, Fair Community Lending Services and the Hope for Life foundation, who will all be recipients of proceeds from her book.

>>  I’ll be discussing with Josefa how she finds time to volunteer for these various organizations, and how she chooses her involvements.

After undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Josefa began working in juvenile probation. Frustrated with the constraints of government work, she felt the need to reach out to a profession that would allow her to affect a lasting change in peoples’ lives. While still working in probation she walked into KSOL in San Francisco asked for a job and got it. In 1984 she initially covered community affairs for 15 minutes every Sunday. Those 15 minutes turned into a one-hour show that lasted for 3 years.

>>  What did she learn from her time in juvenile probation, and why did she leave?

It soon became clear that she had a real talent in the broadcasting field. In 1987 Josefa approached #1 radio station KKSF for the highly sought after position for their “Lights out San Francisco” program. From 1987-1989, her show held the #1 spot in the ratings. From 1989-1990, she became a top mid-day jock at cross-town rival KBLX in the city by the bay.

During her career in San Francisco Josefa learned from some of the best programmers in the industry. One of her former bosses called one day offering her a chance to work in Los Angeles at Stevie Wonder’s radio station, KJLH. With a desire to take on new positions in the radio field, Josefa moved to the City of Angels and from 1990-1991, became a promotions director at KJLH along with air personality. From 1991-1993, Josefa worked at KACE. Working as promotions director and midday personality, she was responsible for helping create the first all day music festival, “JAM FOR PEACE”, a 12-hour urban concert that included 33 music groups, and was attended by over 15,000 fans.

From 1993-1997, Josefa became known as the “Angelita de la Noche” at L.A.’s POWER 106, and created the “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER” foundation. She produced the album “Straight from the Streets” which raised the first million dollars for the foundation. The foundation still provides much needed assistance to the community via computer centers, family shelters, job growth programs and more. While holding down this lead position, Power 106 placed her on both the morning show and her own late night “Slow Jam Show.”

>>  I’ll be speaking with Josefa about her various experiences in radio, and the different kinds of shows she’s hosted, as well as the different positions she’s held.

Josefa soon gained the reputation as someone who could make things happen. A new recording artist asked her if she would take on the task of being his manager. Never missing a challenge, she accepted. A while later this same artist came to her with a sample problem in a song he had. The sample owner refused the use of the song. Josefa went to work and the rest is history. “Gangsta’s Paradise” (sample use of Stevie Wonder’s Pastime Paradise) went on to sweep the awards that year with a Grammy, American Music Award, Billboard, MTV Music Award and more for her client Coolio whom she managed for over 10 years. Although it was rumored the two were married, they were not, but they do share an 11 year old son.

>>  What can Josefa tell us about lessons she learned during this part of her career?

In 1998, the overwhelming demands of handling this international star caused Josefa to leave radio to focus on management and motherhood.

Josefa still had an intense love for radio and was delighted to join HOT 92.3 in the summer of 2001, where she currently holds the morning show news anchor position, as well as hosting a highly acclaimed talk show every Sunday morning from 7am-8am called “THE COMMUNITY REVIEW”, an investigative format that celebrates and investigates events in the community.

Josefa is one of the few air personalities in the industry that can boast successful runs in Adult contemporary, Urban, Urban AC, Hip-Hop, Jazz, News, Talk and Crossover formats. When asked about her philosophy, Josefa states, “It is my responsibility to be the voice of those who cannot be heard, to represent the listeners’ opinions, their voices, and concerns. Writing 101 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU DATE MY DAUGHTER, MY BEST FRIEND OR ME, and hosting shows on HOT 92 JAMZ has provided me with the opportunity to tackle the topics that affect our neighborhood, our streets, and our world. My dream is to continue to provide needed assistance nationwide and give the underserved a voice.”

Josefa stands by her personal philosophy and ends her weekly show with, “Stay strong, stay focused and most of all stay informed.” She is a current member of the HOPE Latina Institute class of 2007. Look for this Latina to bring her unyielding talent for tackling issues that affect the community to a television near you in 2008!

Learn more about Josefa also at her website:  www.josefasalinas.com.