Tonya Rivens

Tonya Rivens

Tonya Rivens is an award winning Journalist with close to 30 years in Radio, ten years in television and is a feature writer for a monthly publication. Tonya received the 2021 Chan Zuckerberg Grant from the National Association of Black Journalists and is a 2021-2022 North Carolina Equity Fellow. She has a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family. 'After a lengthy career in Airline Management Tonya developed a passion for all things radio. As a radio veteran, Rivens has worn the titles of Program Director, Music Director and Community Affairs Director. Her current show, Sounds of Inspiration With Tonya Rivens, is featured on Praise 100.9 FM and she works as a television freelance reporter. Her radio career also includes stints at WPEG (Power 98 FM), WBAV (V101.9) and WPZS (100.9) and Streetz Charlotte. Tonya is a member of Hunters Chapel UMC, where she is a Lay Leader.

Medieval dark blue and burgundy church stained glass. Window frame with colored glass mosaic. Square tile art glass in the style of tiffany. Illustration

Historic Black Church in West Philadelphia Had Rare Tiffany Stained Glass Windows

Hickman Temple AME, an African American Church in West Philadelphia, had two rare Tiffany rose windows that were sold to…
05.27.23
The inside view of a church with pews on either side

The United Methodist Church’s Membership Drops by Six Percent

In 2019, the United Methodist Church (UMC) approved an exit plan for churches who disapproved of the denomination’s beliefs about…
02.17.23
Hutchison Funeral Home blog flowers thumb

Gospel Music Legend Tyrone Porter Passes Away

Tyrone Porter, one of the founders of the award-winning group, The Christianaires, died on February 14th after a lengthy illness. …
02.16.23
empty church

Black Women in Ministry Honored for Their Leadership

More than 300 Black female minsters attended the first Black Women in Ministry International Awards Gala at the National Press…
01.08.23
Church

Black Church in Utah Celebrates 100 Years

In 1922, six black families planted a church in Kearnes, Utah.  At the time of the church plant of New…
12.31.22
tonometer isolated on white

Million Dollar Grant to Fund Study to Reduce Hypertension

The National Institutes of Health has partnered with Tulane University and forty-two churches in the New Orleans area to start…
12.31.22
Shanquella Robinson

Shanquella Robinson’s Dad Discusses His Faith

Watch the story: https://youtu.be/4M2dMAVmmQc (https://youtu.be/4M2dMAVmmQc) Bernard Robinson, the father of Shanquella Robinson, says he is leaning on his faith and…
12.03.22
Faith

Pastor Robyn Gool of Victory Christian Center Passes

Victory Christian Center (VCC) released a statement today to advise that Senior Pastor Robyn Gool transitioned on yesterday, November 18th. …
11.19.22
Smiling Black woman playing with hair

The Impact of Natural Hair on the Future of Perm Products

According to Forbes, in 2012, 80 percent of Black beauty supply stores were stocked with products for chemically straightened hair…
11.06.22
Chicken Chop Suey

Recent Study Suggests the Ideal Time to Eat

A new study published by the journal Cell Metabolism indicates that eating early helps with weight loss.  The research from…
10.19.22
Man Escapes Lynching in Church

Group Works to Recognize AME Church From the 1800s

A group in Hastings, Minnesota says they are on a mission to excavate the history and share information about Brown…
10.18.22
Nurse Meeting with a Senior Patient

Mental Health Workshop Targets Black Faith Leaders

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has created a one-day training workshop to train Black clergy, staff, lay pastors and…
10.18.22
Stained Window Glass With Pews In Church

Study Shows the Impact of Church on Black Males Ages 50 and Older

The University of Houston has released the results of a study that indicates Black men in their 50s and older,…
10.16.22
Voting Booths; #TheBlackBallot

AME Churches and Black Voters Matter Partner to GOTV

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has partnered with Black Voters Matter to support church led ‘Get Out the Vote’ efforts…
10.15.22
Florida Prepares As Hurricane Matthew Barrels Towards Atlantic Coast

Historic Black Church in Florida Floods for the Third Time

Bishop Grace, Pastor of First Baptist Hilltop Church in Frostproof, Florida, says the 100-year-old church was almost completed under water…
10.15.22
Harriet Tubman Historical Marker

Black Church Leaders Challenge the National Park Service

Black Church leaders from some of the largest Protestant denominations and state Baptist conventions are encouraging the National Park Service…
10.13.22
Homes

The National Black Church Initiative Wants to Increase Black Homeownership

Homeowners have a greater chance of building generational wealth.  The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) says they have a ten…
10.13.22
black history month

Grant Fund Distributes Millions to Preserve Black History Sites

The National Trust for Historic Preservation says that their program, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHAF), distributed more…
08.27.22
Portrait of a Group of Men and Woman Holding Bibles Outside a Church

Ministries Joining Reparations’ Efforts for Black Americans

According to Newsweek, the number of religious groups implementing reparations programs for Black Americans are increasing. Rev. Ryan Marsh of…
08.23.22
Voting Booths; #TheBlackBallot

Black Voters are Concerned About the Economy

A recent study conducted by The Black to the Futures Action Fund shows that the community is concerned bout the nation’s…
08.13.22