PraiseRichmond – Praise 104.7

Clovia Lawrence, a seasoned broadcast journalist who is best known in the Richmond Metropolitan area as “Miss Community”.  With more than 20 years experience and a real passion for tackling tough topics and issues that affect the lives of people from every walk of life, Ms. Lawrence is the product of the Richmond Public School system and a graduate of Virginia Union University.  Covering the Central Virginia market, she has a proven track record as a news reporter, announcer and community affairs director working at more than a dozen radio stations and virtually every format, Ms. Lawrence has produced top ratings.

Currently the news director for Radio One Richmond's 4 stations and Executive Director of the Nationally Syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. She is also the Community Affairs Director for three of the networks' stations and she hosts the market's number one public affairs show, “Community Conversations” which covers a wide range of topics including health, education, crime, politics and wealth.

Ms. Lawrence, who has a loyal following of more than 300,000 listeners is a diligent community servant who dedicates much of her time making public appearances, hosting events, movie roles, commencement speaker, moderating forums, organizing gubernatorial forums, raising public awareness and participating in community fund-raisers. In her role as Community Affairs Director, she provides voter education and mobilizes citizens to take part in the political process through her “Rolling Rallies”. She staged the first Radio One Richmond Gubernatorial debate also, she joined leaders of Virginia's Democratic Party including Governor Tim Kaine, former Governor Mark Warner, U.S. Senator Jim Webb and Presumptive Presidential Nominee Senator Barack Obama in Richmond for an endorsement campaign bringing  hundreds of Radio One listeners  as part of the voter education and empowerment initiative.  Organizing a Restoration of Rights forum for the past six years, Ms. Lawrence has also made it a priority to educate ex-felons on the process necessary to regain their voting rights via her “Rolling for Freedom” initiative.

Ms. Lawrence's accomplishments have propelled her to the National reporting scene, covering the Michael Vick Federal court case and on site live at the Jena 6 march and trial. Ms. Lawrence co-hosted a nightly talk show with Andre Eggelletion providing extensive coverage from the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado on Syndication One.  She has made the commitment to not only educate, but to elevate the African-American Community and is probably at her best when there is a need for calling citizens to action.  Ms. Lawrence used her community connections and was the driver in a 12- hour Radio-thon to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims as well as a successful 12-hour Radio-thon benefiting the prevention of domestic violence. She spearheaded the fund-raising of almost 100-thousand dollars to assist residents of a Richmond neighborhood flooded by tropical storm Ernesto.  Ms. Lawrence is also a strong advocate for youth and recently organized a campaign raising money to send more than 600 children to camp for the past three years.

Ms. Lawrence is everywhere and making a difference in many lives, but her number one career goal is being the very best mother to her five year old daughter Kenya Sarai. Other accomplishments include being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., appointed to Governor Bob McDonnell’s Supplier Diversity Council, appointed to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones' Anti-Poverty Commission, Board Member of Prevent Child Abuse Virginia and the recipient of numerous  community service and activism awards including the : Legends in the Community Award from the Urban League of Greater Richmond; BET/Southwest Airlines Every Day Local Heroes Award; Community Service Award of the Year from Las Amigas, Inc., Top Media Personality of the Year from Special Olympics Virginia, 2011 Heritage Award for Community Service, Community Service of the Year Award from Richmond City Council under Mayor Doug Wilder’s and Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ leadership. She received a proclamation from the City of Richmond for her 3rd annual Cancer Survivor’s Day 2010 which brings awareness  and raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.