Hop on 'The Wave:' Brianna Nobles ’21 shares unique perspectives on WSOE airwaves

The sophomore promotions chair has channeled her enthusiasm for music, black culture and diversity into her radio show.

by Julia Oakes '22

Brianna Nobles ’21 has always had a passion for radio.

“I love radio,” said the sophomore journalism major and Communications Fellow from Randleman, North Carolina. “I think everyone here who knows me knows that I love radio.”

Nobles joined WSOE 89.3 FM, Elon University’s student-run radio station, in her first year and quickly rose to the title of news chair. She’s now the promotions chair and host of a radio show that she hopes will make an impact throughout campus.

The show is called “The Wave,” and it introduces genres of music to a listening audience that may be more accustomed to hearing underground or indie rock. But the show also incorporates a couple of her greatest interests:  black culture and diversity. The show has not only been an avenue for Nobles to create a brand for herself, but also to combine her interests into something shareable.

“I think what really made me want to do it was when I saw on the schedule that there was only one rap show,” Nobles said. “When I read the description of it, it was like an underground type of rap.”

From that point on, Nobles said she focused on bringing “a fresh perspective” and more diverse content to the airwaves, while simultaneously incorporating her own love of R&B and mainstream rap music.

“The main purpose of ‘The Wave,’” Nobles said, “was to have another rap show scheduled on WSOE's programming, while also providing a platform to highlight students of color and the issues we face on campus.”

In November, Nobles welcomed School of Communications Dean Rochelle Ford on the show to discuss navigating a predominantly white institution as a black individual.

“(Ford) gave some really good advice for listeners,” especially for the university’s young black professionals, added Nobles.

Nobles’ desire to work in radio was ignited fully just months before she enrolled at Elon when she participated in WSOE’s summer promotions team – a program open to incoming first-years and current Elon students, in which members are able to conduct interviews, write concert reviews and produce content for the WSOE website.

During her time in the program, Nobles wrote two album reviews and covered local concerts, including Postmodern Jukebox, a YouTube cover band that produces “modern songs in older styles,” she said.

“I knew I really wanted to do something with radio and (the summer program) was where I decided I was going to try to get my feet wet,” she said.

Looking forward, Nobles plans to invite more guests to her show, particularly individuals who identify themselves as part of a minority or marginalized group and are able to talk about their personal experiences as Elon students.

“Something that I really look to dabble with in the future is bringing on more guests and people who can really speak on their experiences here,” she said. “I think that is what I’m really passionate about.”

She’s appreciative of the community of people in WSOE – and, of course, her mother, who has never missed a show – for their support of her show and perspective.

“Having that communal support of being one of the only black DJs here, and seeing that people really supported me and supported what the show was about, was the idea behind ‘The Wave,’” she said.

“The Wave” airs from 5-7 p.m. every Wednesday on WSOE 89.3 FM.