Roula Christie Will Receive the 2017 "MIW Airblazer Award" During Upcoming 29th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp, August 3-4, 2017 in Atlanta, GA
Naples, FL (July 31, 2017) - The Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio (MIW) Group proudly announces that Roula Christie, host of the highly acclaimed Roula and Ryan Show on Cumulus' KRBE-FM in Houston, has been named the 2017 MIW Airblazer, an honor bestowed annually to a deserving on-air personality in radio broadcasting. The MIW Airblazer Award stems from an alliance formed in 2015 between the MIW Radio Group and Talentmaster's Morning Show Boot Camp (MSBC). Hubbard Radio Chair and CEO Ginny Morris will present the 2017 MIW Airblazer Award during the 29th Annual Morning Show Boot Camp's "Women's Forum" session, August 3rd in Atlanta, GA.
The Roula and Ryan Show first aired on KRBE in 2006, following a three-year stint with a market competitor. A Houston native, Roula's love of broadcasting began in college when KRBE DJ, Paul "Cubby" Bryant, solicited food delivery onair and Roula happened to be listening. Her family owns Houston's oldest restaurant, Christie's Seafood & Steaks. Although Christie's doesn’t deliver, she offered delivery service to Cubby and KRBE. One day, Cubby invited Roula to stay in the studio and watch his shift. "He single-handedly turned the fire for radio on in my heart! says Roula. Her first gig? Answering KRBE request lines for $5.00/hour. Two years into being "the phone girl", Roula was given a chance to go on-air. In 2000, after five years at KRBE, she was offered a morning show position at Q102 in Philadelphia. By 2003, local Houston radio was vying for their native daughter to return home, and Roula has never looked back.
Roula isn't simply on-air. Her deep community roots inspire her to live and give locally. "It's important to me to donate as much time as possible to as many charities as possible," says the super-charged morning show host and mother of three small children. Local Houston charities dear to Roula’s heart include: Kids Meals; Big Brothers, Big Sisters; The Alzheimer’s Association; Houston Area Women’s Center; Race for a Cure; Race Against Violence; and Avon Walk for a Cure. Many others benefit in some way from Roula's generosity, including American Diabetes Association in honor of her father and the Houston Greek Festival where proceeds are given to 25 Houston charities. This past year, Roula and Ryan’s Christmas Wish (held at Christmas and again in July) raised over $100,000 for local families in need.
"Roula is a consummate MIW Airblazer," says MIW Group Spokeswoman Denyse Mesnik. "She professionally navigates responsibilities that are unique to a morning show, while contributing to her hometown community and, most importantly as a working mom, raising three young children. We look for leadership and a selfless understanding of giving back in our Airblazer honoree. Roula leads by example and serves as a reminder to Houston listeners, and frankly to all of us in Radio, that the true power behind a radio microphone lies in establishing genuine emotional connections with the people and communities we serve."
Don Anthony, founder and host of MSBC comments, "Roula's road to success is nothing short of amazing – a real inspiration to both men and women throughout radio. I'm truly excited for Roula, and her remarkable show, that she'll be honored with this distinguished award. She's definitely earned it."
Cumulus Media EVP Content & Programming Mike McVay commented, "Roula Christie is one of the most natural talents you'll ever meet. Her humor, passion, connection to the market and big heart is at the core of her success. I have heard many describe her as a great female morning talent. That's inaccurate. She is a great talent...period."