Comic strip heroine Brenda Starr was Beverly Lyn Smith's frame of reference while growing up in Homewood. The Westinghouse High School student was drawn to the fascinating and glamorous life of the investigative reporter. Bev Smith, 60, the American Urban Radio Networks syndicated talk show host based in Pittsburgh, had a dream that is turning into reality. "The journey to my fullness is neverending," Smith says. And she travels in style. "She is a national jewel. We are lucky to have her in communications," says Rep. Charles Rangel , D-N.Y. "The Bev Smith Show" airs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays on Pittsburgh network affiliate WAMO (860 AM). Her "Straight Up" commentaries air on the network, too. Smith also hosted "Our Voices," a one-hour talk show on the Black Entertainment Television (BET) cable channel that was seen in 40 countries from 1988 to 1999. She has received more than 300 awards, as well as words of praise from Jesse Jackson. When Jackson was in Pittsburgh for the National Urban League convention recently, he bowed down and called her "the queen of the night." Comedian Bill Cosby gave her a different compliment last week. Cosby was on with Smith for two hours. "I do not know a lot of talk show hosts who can get that," says Laurence Gaines, her droll producer. "The passion to solve problems comes through on the air," says Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas. "She is quick-witted, and knows what she stands for and believes in. In one word: dynamic." Smith found her voice at an early age when her family sat around the kitchen table discussing articles in newspapers and magazines. As a teenager, speaking up became profitable. Smith won a $1,000 scholarship in a local oratory contest. "I remember saying I want to be like Dr. King. I wanted to make a difference for my people." Quite a difference for some. Smith was looking not so glamorous on the hospital bed waiting for her colonoscopy at Shadyside Hospital. It was the second time in her life that she had had the procedure. A man in another bed recognized her. "I am here for a colonoscopy," he said. "I saw blood in my stool and I was not going to do anything and I was scared." But he remembered Smith's series on men's health issues, including two segments on that procedure. "I am here because of you," he said. "That makes up for the money that Oprah makes that I don't," Smith says. "That was like money -- being paid for your work. Possibly saving his life. I cannot believe God gave me that opportunity." Empathy, too. "Compassionate -- it oozes from her skin," says Donna Brazile, Democratic strategist and vice president Al Gore's campaign manager in 2000. "She is not afraid to speak up for janitors, household workers and people who have run out of luck. Bev is their voice, their champion, so no one forgets them." The "Bev Smith Christmas Elves" also were unforgettable. During the mid '80s when she was on WWRC and then WOL in Washington D.C., her listeners raised money for people with AIDS, babies addicted to crack and parties for orphans. "She is a little bit flamboyant, effusive and a very inspired person," says Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. "She takes her craft seriously." Brenda Starr, eat your heart out. Smith was drawing on Starr's experience when she became an investigative reporter for consumer affairs at WIIC (now WPXI Channel 11) in 1971. She also had talk shows on WAMO (860 AM), KDKA (1020 AM) and WTAE (1250 AM) and was a Pittsburgh Courier columnist in the '70s and early '80s. WAMO was her favorite gig. "It was a chance as a black person to talk to every leader on down. No one ever said no!" During a show on child abuse, a teenage girl called from a pay phone. Her aunt had been beating her with the extension cord from an iron. Smith invited her to the station, where social services representatives had been summoned. When Smith talks, people listen. But even Gaines did not realize how much direct contact she has with influential people -- not just in the African-American community, but in the political scene and other areas, he says. "She also is instantly friendly." Smith does not mind that Brenda Starr gets more ink. But Gaines does not brush it off so lightly. "She is such a rarity," he says. "Sometimes it frustrates me that she does not get greater exposure -- especially since she is right here in Pittsburgh. Her show is the only one of its kind in this city." Broadcast spots Talk to him U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, a Republican from the Lehigh Valley running against incumbent U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter from Philadelphia, will be on "PCN Call-In" at 7 p.m. Thursday on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). Talk to them State Sen. Jack Wagner, a Democrat from Pittsburgh who will be on WPTT (1360 AM) Monday, and Dick Skrinjar, PennDOT spokesman who will be on Tuesday, are some of the celebrity guests from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday on the talk station. Reliving radio "Gunsmoke," "The Red Skelton Show," "My Friend Irma," "The Shadow" and "The Adventures of Superman" are some of the classic radio programs this week on "When Radio Was" airing at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday on KQV (1410 AM). Reliving rivalry Alby Oxenreiter, WPGH (Channel 53) sports director, hosts a special program on the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys airing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on WPGH. The Steelers and Cowboys preseason game follows at 8 p.m. Charter and charts Cyber charter schools and state medical assistance are the "Pennsylvania Newsmakers" topics at 1:30 p.m. today on WBGN (Channel 59). -- Dimitri Vassilaros

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---