Steve Harvey is the host of the Steve Harvey Morning Show radio program, and the popular TV shows STEVE, Family Feud, and Celebrity Family Feud. His popularity continues to grow to global proportions, bolstered by his role as host of the Miss Universe Pageant. In 2020, Family Feud will expand to Ghana and South Africa. Harvey is currently one of the most powerful voices in media, touting a career spanning nearly 30 years as a top stand-up comedian, actor, award winning TV personality and talk show host, best-selling author, entrepreneur, and humanitarian.
Harvey began his entertainment career as a comedian, working the stand-up circuit. He grew to have a roster of acclaimed specials, including co-starring in one of the most successful comedy DVDs in historyThe Original Kings of Comedy, and the hit Don’t Trip…He Ain’t Through With Me Yet.
Harvey first made his mark in television and film as host of It’s Showtime at the Apollo. He went on to star in several popular shows, including The Steve Harvey Show, and has appeared in such movies as You Got Served, and Johnson Family Vacation.
Harvey expanded his reach into radio as host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show. 2019 marked the program’s 14-year anniversary in national syndication with Premiere Networks and it’s the #1 syndicated morning show in America with more than 6 million weekly listeners on more than 100 stations nationwide. Harveyco-created and hosted The Neighborhood Awards from 2002-2016, an awards show that honored local businesses, institutions and leaders for the excellence demonstrated in their communities.
Harvey is also author of multiple New York Times best-selling titles. His first book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment inspired the 2012 box office topping movie, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man and its 2014 sequel Think Like a Man Too.
As a humanitarian and an entrepreneur, Harvey makes it a priority to giveback.Through The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, he and his wife provide hundreds of teens annually with mentoring and educational opportunities. His company, HARCAL, allows him to create business partnerships that specifically target and benefit the working middle class.
Harvey’s list of accolades includes several NAACP Image Awards, a People’s Choice Award, induction into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. He also won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host for STEVE in 2018, The Steve Harvey Show in 2014, 2015 and 2017, as well as Outstanding Game Show Host for Family Feud in 2014 and 2017.
Harvey is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a proud parent with wife Marjorie to seven children.
Shirley Strawberry’s career in radio began in the mid-80s at Chicago’s WCGI-FM, where she was co-host of The Doug Banks Show. By the early ‘90s, her local popularity soared and caught the attention of the programming team at 92.3 The Beat, KKBT-FM, in Los Angeles. That’s where she was introduced to Steve Harvey. From 2000 to 2005, Shirley was the co-host of Harvey’s popular LA-based morning show and it was Harvey himself who dubbed her: “The Best Voice in Radio.”Their program went on to become the #1 morning show in Los Angeles and one of the most talked about in LA radio for their tireless community efforts – from helping students get desperately needed books, to honoring women and teachers, as well as feeding and helping the underprivileged all over the city.
On May 23, 2005, Harvey, Shirley and the rest of the morning show aired their final broadcast in Los Angeles. It was a sad and historic day in LA that left a lasting impact on the Southern California radio dial.
In October of 2005, The Steve Harvey Morning Show was re-launched via a national syndication deal with Premiere Networks, and Shirley joined the show as co-host. Heard on more than 100 radio stations by nearly seven million weekly listeners, it’s the number-one syndicated morning show in America. For her work on the top-rated program, Shirley has been recognized numerous times by industry publication Radio Ink as one of the “Most Influential Women in Radio,”and she was honored with the Alliance for Women in Media’s annual Gracie Award in the National Radio Co-Host category in 2018.
On April 5, 2011, Shirley released her first book, The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy. Based on the popular Strawberry Letter segment on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, which is also a popular podcast hosted by Shirley, she delivers more of the no-nonsense woman-to-woman straight talk her listeners have come to love. Shirley tells it like it is from the heart. Whether the topic is cheating boyfriends, crazy mother-in-laws, job troubles or money problems, Shirley’s girlfriend-next-door honesty has made the Strawberry Letter segments of the show a huge hit. Now, in this uplifting motivational guide, she brings her vivacious, inspirational, and down-to-earth message to women everywhere: Get up, get out, and be the best you can be! Shirley was honored with an NAACP Image Award for “Best New Author” for the best-selling book.
Kier “Junior” Spates, a native of Houston, Texas, is a gifted comedian and entertainer whose impressive resume boasts notable roles across a variety of media platforms.
As co-host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, Spates is known for his hilarious and high-energy commentary. Airing weekdays from 6-10 AM on more than 100 radio stations, the program is heard by nearly seven million weekly listeners and is the #1 syndicated morning radio show in America.
Prior to joining the program, Spates performed on stages across the globe with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Lyfe Jennings, Musiq Soulchild, Maze and Frankie Beverly, Gerald LeVert, Anita Baker and Anthony Hamilton. In 2012, he appeared as the opening act on Steve Harvey’s Grand Stand-Up Finale comedy tour, with numerous critics dubbing him “The next big thing in stand-up comedy.” Spates also lent his talents to USO Tours in Japan and Bahrain, and was one of the primary acts on the popular Rickey Smiley and Friends Show Tour.
In addition to receiving wide acclaim on the improv circuit all over the United States, Spates’ standup has been embraced on college campuses as well. He’s performed to sold-out crowds at the University of Southern California, Texas A&M, University of Houston, University of North Texas and Texas Southern University.
Spates has made many appearances on the small screen, receiving rave reviews for his roles on BET’s Comic View and Getting Paid, just to name a few. He also appeared in the film Barbershop Blues as “Dre” alongside New Edition’s Ralph Tresvant. Spates has traveled with many hit stage plays, including Hinton Battle’s Love Lies featuring Brian McKnight and Angie Stone, as well as Confessions, starring the late Gerald LeVert, Kelly Price and Tommy Ford.
In 2013, Spates signed on as the national celebrity ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA),after speaking out about his struggle with the disease. Together, SCDAA and Spates launched the “Rise Above” initiative, which aims to educate and raise awareness about the blood disease across the nation.Spates is also the founder of Kier’s Hope Foundation (KHF), a non-profit organization benefitting those affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
Kier is a rising star as a writer and producer, earning credits for several shows such as the Emmy Nominated daytime television hit STEVE, the Miss Universe pageant, Showtime at the Apollo on FOX, and Little Big Shots.
Born in Chicago, Ill., and raised in Houston, Texas, Carla Ferrell began her career in radio at KMJQ-FM in Houston, where she served as the morning show producer and co-host, before being promoted to assistant program director. She then moved back to Chicago and joined WGCI-FM and WVAZ-FM as assistant program director. During this time, Ferrell contributed to all three radio stations reaching number one in their respective demos.
In 2002, Ferrell moved to New Orleans, La., where she served as operations manager for WQUE-FM, WYLD-AM/FM and KSTE-FM, and helped lead the stations to top rankings. In August 2005, the weekend that Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, Ferrell joined The Steve Harvey Morning Show as program director. Ferrell worked to create morning drive entertainment featuring music, compelling content, sidesplitting humor, current events, topical stories, and community issues. Shortly after, Ferrell was asked to join the show on air as a co-host as well.
Broadcasting live each day from 6 -10 a.m. EST, The Steve Harvey Morning Show is heard on more than 100 radio stations by nearly seven million weekly listeners. Launched nationally by Premiere Networks in 2005, it’s the #1 syndicated morning show in America.
In February 2007, Ferrell added additional duties as program director for The Sweat Hotel. Nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks, the music-intensive radio show hosted by Keith Sweat features a mix of R&B and slow jamz, in addition to special guests, live in-studio musical performances, and listener confessions, apologies and dedications. The Sweat Hotel is #1 nationally syndicated Urban AC evening radio show.
Ferrell has garnered numerous industry awards including the “Office With A View” spotlight by Sister 2 Sister magazine in 2006; a “Program Director of the Year” nomination by Radio and Records in 2004; and the Midwest Radio and Music Association’s “Grit Award” in 2002. The National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME)named her one of the “Ten Most Influential Women in Radio” in 2001.
Ferrell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Prairie View A&M University. In her personal life, Ferrell draws inspiration from her husband, grandmother, other family members, and a tight-knit circle of girlfriends. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and volunteer work.
Radio host, actor, comedian, producer, entrepreneur Thomas Miles, aka “Nephew Tommy,”is making his mark on the world of entertainment. As co-host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, which airs weekdays from 6-10 AM on more than 100stations, Tommy entertains nearly seven million weekly listeners. The program, which combines heart, humor, music and celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment, is the #1 syndicated morning show in America.Tommy provides a key role in the morning show, lighting it up with his own cast of colorful characters and zany humor, which are showcased in the fan-favorite segment, “Tommy’s Prank Calls.”
In 2018, Tommy added hosting duties for OWN’s new dating series Ready to Love. The show explores the real-life dating interactions of sexy, successful and grown Black men and women in their 30s and 40s who are looking for lasting love and an authentic relationship. A unique twist on a typical dating show, Ready to Love, highlights the men’s observations and experiences in the search for true love in Atlanta.
A multi-faceted entertainer and comedian, Tommy served as the exclusive Main stage host for the Essence Festival in New Orleans for 7 years (2009 –2016), which draws over 250,000 fans and features acts such as Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and Kanye West. In 2017, he hosted the Time To Laugh event at Bishop T.D. Jakes Megafest.
Currently, Tommy continues to keep ’em laughing as he tours nationally in his sold-out stand-up comedy shows. He recorded his one-hour special at the famed Motor City Casino in Detroit, and once toured the U.S. for nearly three years as the exclusive opening act for the late, great Luther Vandross. “I had the choice of hundreds of comics to choose from, but in the end I choose Thomas Miles. His skill as an actor and comedian fits in perfectly with the classy and entertaining show I believe in presenting,”said Vandross.
In 2011 and 2013, Tommy traveled to over a dozen military bases in the Middle East with the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff USO Holiday Tour, where he shared his humor, insight and wisdom with thousands of military men and women. This interaction with soldiers, both stateside and around the world, inspired Tommy to establish Miles of Giving, a non-profit foundation created for the purpose of assisting wounded veterans.
At the center of Tommy’s body of entertainment works and business ventures beats the heart of a gifted thespian. With years of experience starring in over a dozen stage plays and independent films, earning a Theater Arts degree, and working with the Royal Shakespeare Company of London, Tommy has honed his craft as an actor on both stage and screen. He has a number of films on his resume, including 2011’s “N-Secure” and “The Heart Specialist” with Zoe Saldana; David Talbert’s “Baggage Claim;” “Think Like A Man” in 2012 from the international best-selling book by Steve Harvey; and Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Made a Halloween.
Though he enjoys a successful career as an entertainer, Tommy has also set his sights on the creation of a broader empire. Listeners of The Steve Harvey Morning Show often hear Tommy refer to his affinity for curvaceous women. With an eye on designing clothes to make plus-size women feel sexy, comfortable and confident, he launched a fashion line called Big Luv Denim, catering exclusively to full-figured women.
Whether in business, on the stage, big screen, television or radio, Tommy continues to demonstrate his remarkable talent to the delight of audiences worldwide.
