Black History in the Upstate - February 2005

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* Information for this page obtained from Leroy Chapman Jr., Associate Editorial Page Editor for Greenville News Do you know of someone in the Upstate that you would like to nominate as a part of our local Black History list? If so please email us their name and contact information.

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February 6, 2005
Bo Griffin: Where drive meets talent

Bo Griffin was just bold enough to leave Greenville right after graduating J.L. Mann High School nearly 25 years ago and head straight for New York where she wanted to be a stage actress. It took boldness, grit and resiliency to mine the rocky road of acting. It was enough for Griffin not only to achieve her goal of becoming a stage actress but to also carve a new path that landed her a career in broadcasting. Griffin is the host of "Blue Ribbon" on Turner South and she is a regular contributor on the nationally syndicated show "Good Day Live," which airs locally on WBSC-40. WJMZ salutes Greenville native Bo Griffin, an entrepreneur who also owns and operates Goddess boutique in Haywood Mall.

Griffin is an example of how dogged determination pays off for those willing to put in the work, take rejection and learn from failure. Griffin braved the tough world of acting for a while but wanted more after tiring of the limiting roles being offered to African American women. So she decided to take a broadcasting course. It was a fateful decision.

Griffin found a niche and a new love: radio. Griffin began her career in North Carolina and eventually landed in Miami, where she worked her way up to becoming the drive-time host on Miami's WPOW Power 96. For her radio work, Griffin won the Glass Ceiling Award from Black Radio Exclusive magazine. But soon TV would come calling and Griffin would answer. She worked as host of the Psychic Network and as a reporter for the entertainment TV magazine show "EXTRA." For a while she had her own talk show called "That's Life" and she co-hosted the short-lived "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus."

But eventually Griffin would return to Greenville where she would open her Goddess boutique, transitioning into a career as an entrepreneur. Of course she is still on television. "Good Day Live" airs daily at 1 p.m. "Blue Ribbon" airs Friday's at 8:30. WJMZ salutes Bo Griffin and her determined, independent spirit during this Black History Month.

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Listen weekdays during February at 7:45AM in the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and again at 12:50PM during the K. J. in the Midday Show, for McDonald's Black History Moments featuring interesting historical facts about African American history in the Upstate. McDonald's celebrates Black history 365 days a year by communicating the pride, achievement, heritage, and contributions of African Americans to American history. McDonald's, "I'm loving it."

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Read about Dr. William F. Gibson

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