“Praise In The City” is our public affairs program heard Saturdays on Praise 103.9 from 6-8 a.m. This show discusses and addresses issues affecting the Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware area and the nation. We make certain that there is a spiritual angle to our discussion. We want to empower, enlighten and bring hope to the lives of our listeners with “Praise In The City.”

Tiffany Bacon began her career in radio in 1990 while attending Temple University. The university radio station WRTI sparked a life long love for radio and broadcasting in general. She spend a few years at B101, more than a decade at Power 99FM and now she is happy to be the night jock at 107.9 WRNB and the host of two talk shows on Praise 103.9FM. Outside of her dedication to the field of broadcasting, Ms. Bacon serves as a high school Drama/Dance/Broadcasting teacher. She also founded and manages a improv theater troupe, which includes a few of her students. The iTheatre Company inspires and entertains audiences on a weekly basis. Ms. Bacon is inspired by and a big supporter of the performing arts. She has been an actress, dancer, choreographer, costume designer and director. Tiffany Bacon hopes to continue to share her gifts and knowledge while continuing to learn about herself through discovering the world.

Co-Hosted by: Tiffany Bacon

For the last 20 years, Marcos Mercado has devoted his life to helping people all over the world. Marcos answered his calling at the age of 16 when he started preaching at his local congregation in New York City, where he was born and raised. He graduated summa cum laude from Manhattan College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management. Over the last two decades, God has transformed him from a young zealot to a spiritual and mature man of God. He has worn many hats in his life; including that of a Full-time Minister, Preacher, Teacher, Motivational Speaker, and Marriage and Life Coach. Now, he is taking his seasoned experience and his passion for people on the airwaves via the weekly radio show “Marriage Beyond the Vows.”

Marcos’ God-given ability to minister to all-types of people has taken him on mission trips around the world. Marcos, who is fluent in both English and Spanish, has preached throughout South America and the Caribbean. He has also led life-changing marriage seminars throughout the country helping couples from all walks of life find healing and a future.

After helping to build a dynamic church of over 5,000 people in New York City, Marcos moved to the Philadelphia area in 2007 to lead a ministry in the heart of the city. He is happily married to his wife Amarillis, who serves alongside him as a Women’s Ministry Leader. They are the proud parents of two beautiful children ages eight and five.

Hallelujah! Ms. Kala feels blessed to be back on Praise 103.9. She made her debut in 2008 as Ms. Kay with The Gospelflava of the day and then as a weekend host. She has trained with some of the Best in Radio: Radio Legend Tamlin Henry, Ed Long, Darryl Taylor, Lorraine Ballard Morril, “BJ in the Morning,” Lady B, Derrick Sampson, and the lovely CeCe McGhee.

Ms. Kala is also a professional actress who has been in over 25 regional theater productions, and performed on radio, television, and film. She has been nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress and was most recently seen in a national commercial for Saladworks as Sophie. She publicly confessed the Lord as her Savior in 1997 and is a member of The Christian Church in Philadelphia. Her social and professional memberships include Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and The Actors Equity Association.

Ms. Kala is happily married with two beautiful daughters and two very handsome step-sons.

Civil Rights Leader, Whitney Young once said, “It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” Certainly NEICY TRIBBETT was prepared, when the Broadcasting opportunity came in November 1990.

Ms. Tribbett is a native of our country’s capital, Washington, D. C. Her Gospel roots where birthed from her rearing in the church. A credit to her two godly parents, Deac Wilbur and the late Evang Essie Belton. She is the proud mother of four GREAT MUSICALLY gifted children who are in the gospel industry as well, and six grandchildren.

Currently she is a resident of New Jersey and attends Fresh Word Ministries in Cherry Hill under the leadership of Apostle Wynell Freeman. Where she serves on the ministerial staff.

Her broadcasting career has catapulted over a 14-year span. She started as a “part-timer” at WIMG in Trenton. A progressive opening escalated her to WURD Love 900 in Philadelphia. It just kept getting better and better. In 1993 she moved on to WNAP 1110 AM in Norristown where she was an on air personality and Music Coordinator.

In 1996 the bar was raised when she came to PHILLY’S BEST IN GOSPEL 1480 AMEN. She began her WDAS journey as an on air personality and a music director. Her bubbly personality, love for the gospel music and listeners, overflowed onto the sister station on 105.3 for Sunday Celebration. This lady must know something about sports because she has “taken the ball and ran with it”.

While operating in all of the above positions there was added another hat. Yes, she soared to the Program Directors chair. Her innovative and creative ideas launched WDAS into the “ESSENCE” of the industry.

In December of 2003, due to downsizing of the company, Tribbett was released soon to find herself as the manager of the gospel sensation Sony recording artist Tye Tribbett and GA. As manager, Tribbett traveled extensively around the world. That season was the prelude to her current position as the account executive of W&W Public Relations Agency.

Her experience in the industry has developed strong relationships with record companies and artists as well. She has been nominated and won several awards in the radio field corporately and individually.

HER MOTTO IS “I AM …. BECAUSE – GOD IS!”

Cory Condrey, better known as CoCo Brother, is more than your average radio personality. He is a powerful voice crying out from the wilderness and into the streets. Born in Germany, it seems that he was destined to make an impact of
international proportion from the beginning. CoCo Brother first came to Atlanta, GA after graduating from high school in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the start of his career in radio.

In 1995, CoCo started interning with Hot 97.5(now Hot 107.9). From delivering pizza to loading trucks, he had a variety of odd jobs, working tirelessly at night and interning during the day. His hard-work and diligence paid off and he was finally hired at Hot. Even with all of his potential, his time there was short-lived and in 1997 he was fired. After losing his job, he became homeless. The spirit in CoCo Brother would not allow him to quit and after being homeless for a year, he landed a position with V-103 as their Promotions Coordinator.

CoCo wanted to be on the air, but was told that he could not be an On-Air Personality. It has been said that whenever one door closes, another opens. The next door flew open. Still hungry to reach the people, he took a job in a smaller market with Foxy 107 and Mike Roberts in Macon, GA. Within months in that market, CoCo’s personality and drive made the show #1.

In January of 2000, CoCo left Georgia for a position in Washington D.C. on 93.9 WKYS. He was in direct competition with Big Tigger, the former host of BET’s Rap City. For two and a half years, he dominated the airwaves with the same passion, high-energy, and creativity that made him a success in the past.

CoCo Brother came full circle on September 11, 2001 when he returned to Hot 107.9, Atlanta, in the 6- 10 pm time slot. This time things would be much different. It didn’t take long before CoCo Brother and the Home Team made their presence known. When the first book came out, the show was #1 with 12-17 year olds. It also made history for Hot, ranking #1 with 18 – 34 year olds for the first time. CoCo was responsible for breaking some of the hottest records as well as capturing exclusive interviews with artists such as 50 Cent, David Banner, Ludacris, and T.I. His influence reached beyond the city limits and included:

• · Hosting Vibe’s TV show and BET’s Talent Search
• · Appearances on BET and MTV
• · Hosting video show on UPN
• · Hosting Michael Vick’s Shoe Release for 3 consecutive years
• · Appearances in Vibe, Source, Creative Loafing, and Rolling Out Magazines

Yet, even after years of success, he was not content and began to hear God telling him to shift into a different arena. In March of 2005, CoCo Brother announced that he would be leaving the 6–10 pm slot. When he left, the show was on top. After 6 weeks off the air, he emerged with a new fire and a new sound called The Spirit of Hip Hop (SOHH). The show kicked off from 7 – 10 am and soon made history in its ratings when it moved up to 6 – 10 am. The constant demand for the show led it to its current slot of 6 – 12pm on Sundays mornings. The ratings continue to soar. With that success, the SOHH expanded to 5a-6a Monday-Friday in addition to the weekends, and now syndicated all across the country reaching millions every week in virtually every major market, including Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia, with more markets coming on board each day.

The Spirit of Hip Hop is more than just a nationally syndicated show; it’s a lifestyle. It’s a ministry focusing on Jesus Christ, that bridges the gap between generations; sinners and saints; hip hop and gospel music. The show features original skits, and exclusive in depth spiritual interviews with gospel, hip hop, and R & B superstars. Within the shows’ first few months, CoCo was able to interview and host some of the most influential artists and leaders in hip hop and in the church such as: TD Jakes, Kirk Franklin, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Lil’ Jon, Yolanda Adams and Smokie Norful, just to name a few.

Coco is responsible for spearheading some of the most powerful and well attended community events in the country and is dedicated to underserved communities, such as feeding the homeless and The Spirit of Hip Hop Annual Toy Give-a-way. In 2004, Evander Holyfield and Ludacris played a major role in the Spirit of Hip Hop Toy Give-a-way by donating a combined amount of $100,000 dollars worth of toys. The SOHH was active in Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts such as David Banner’s Heal the Hood Benefit Concert and the Gospel Music Channels Angel Concert. Coco even recently organized and hosted Radio One’s One Love Gospel Cruise along with Dottie Peoples, Fred Hammond and John Gray. Other involvements include:

• · Honda’s Battle of the Bands
• · Opening up for Kirk Franklin at Mega Fest 2005
• · The Shannon Anderson Foundation
• · The Jamie Foxx Laffapalooza / The SOHH meets Comedy
• · Annual Martin Luther King March
• · Discipleship Award (Community Service) Gospel Connection 2005.

Other notable accomplishments include hosting the biggest hip hop concert in the USA, Birthday Bash: Presenter and Creator of the SOHH award for the Radio One Dirty Awards); Integral part of LudaChrisMiss (this is the charitable event that Ludacris, Chris Webber, and David Banner facilitated for Katrina survivors:: Annual Martin Luther King March presenter; and Recipient of the Power 30 under 30 award from AUC Digest.

In 2005, the SOHH made history with Exodus; where the Church meets the Streets hosted at one of the hottest clubs in Atlanta, GA (Club 112). Guests included Kirk Franklin, Bone Crusher and Bishop Eddie Long. There were thousands in attendance, with hundreds in the streets when they couldn’t get inside. The following year, Exodus was held at the Word of Faith Family Cathedral and the attendance quadrupled. Over a thousand youth came to the altar and gave their life to Christ. In all, there were 8-thousand people in the Church and another 3-thousand outside trying to get in; this happening while the police were closing the interstate because of all the traffic.

CoCo’s ultimate vision is to see the church go to the streets worldwide. Stand 2007 will be the platform that springboards this dream. A one-day event taking place at the internationally known Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, where over a million strong will come together and Take A STAND to change the landscape of hip hop forever by promoting a positive lifestyle. This historic solution-based movement will mobilize the hip hop community by taking its core and putting it in a positive light. This will be the biggest experience hip hop has ever witnessed, a monumental event with lasting implications on generations to come.

CoCo Brother’s life is a testimony of what God will do in willing vessels. Never despise small beginnings. After being denied in Market 12, he went to Market 147; eventually rising to Market 7 and to the top. He operates in excellence and he just won’t quit. He is an example of someone who sometimes against all odds constantly raises the bar and sets the tone in everything he does. From homelessness to hosting and leading the official and defining movement for change in hip hop, only time will tell what is in store for both him and the Spirit of Hip Hop. Indeed, after hearing his powerful testimony on the radio weekly, on CNN, and on CNN International, it’s very clear that Coco will be one of those anointed leaders insuring that a new day has arrived and a generation is about to be changed. Furthermore, with the blessing of being on the radio on the largest inspirationally-based network in the world targeting our youth, CoCo is making the world turn the volume up generating record setting ratings, but still and most importantly saving souls along the way.

Marcus C. Smith, known to the world as Brother Marcus is the latest addition to the Praise 103.9 line-up. He holds a Degree in Business Management from Berkeley College, a diploma in Theology from Urban Academy, Certification from the New York School of the Bible and was a student at Seminary of the East (Bethel Theological Seminary). He was very active within his church In New York as an Elder, Youth Director, former Worship Leader and Mentor. He was also a Substitute teacher for several years in South Jersey.

Brother Marcus was the former host of “The Focus Radio Show,” which was heard on on 800 AM, WIFI Vision Radio, as well as the Host for “The ARS Group Television Preview Show.” Some of his radio accomplishments include of “The Elements of Inspiration” on Praise 103.9′s sister station 100.3 The Beat, “Elements of Inspiration” on WIFI Radio 1460 AM, “Backline Magazine Radio Show” on WNWR 1540 AM, “On Solid Rock” WPEB Philly 88.1 FM, “Elements of Inspiration” on 720 AM The Rock, and “The Brother Marcus Show” on The Praise House Internet radio station.

The vision that God has given to Brother Marcus is to help people believe in themselves more then ever before, and to let them know they are not alone in this journey of life. Bro. Marcus does this by giving Elements of Inspirational words that motivate, encourage and inspire people of all walks of life to strive to be better and always trust God.

At the end of every broadcast, Bro. Marcus, The Radio Show Host Extraordinaire, leaves his faithful listeners with The Elements of Inspirational quotes. Then he signs off with this phrase, “Stay focused everybody, remember God loves you and so do I!” It’s your Brother talking … let’s spread that love.

Find more from Bro. Marcus at www.BrotherMarcus.com.