Frank Ski is an American radio personality, DJ, public forums host, journalist, and philanthropist. Ski just recently returned to being the morning host of V-103 after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year in August. His debts were reported to exceed a million dollars. V-103 is a top rated Hip-hop/R&B radio station which he led from 1998 until 2012, where he pulled in monster ratings. With his name being in top news story’s because of his bankruptcy and his ex-wife’s claims of his not fully paying child support, there are probably several other things you don’t know about him. Here’s five things you didn’t know about Frank Ski.
1. His Names
Frank Ski’s real name is Frank Rodriguez. Ski was born in Harlem, New York on May 9, 1964. During the 1990s, Ski also had a recording career as Doo Doo Brown, a noted pioneer in hip hop/house music industry with moderate success. However, Ski is most famous as a radio personality, hosting ”The Frank Ski Show” and breaking ratings records as ”The Rainmaker of Urban Radio”, captivating audiences in Atlanta, DC, and Baltimore.
2. His Restaurant
In 2011, Ski opened Frank Ski’s Restaurant and Lounge, hoping to create his own chain of restaurants like the nearby Houston’s, a chain he was familiar with. When it first opened, Ski said it was all about living his dream and that the restaurant was the fruition of that dream. Unfortunately, Ski’s restaurant only remained open for about four years, closing in 2015. It became a massive money pit and Ski was unable to pay back the loan he received for opening it, also contributing to his filing for bankruptcy.
3. His Charity
Ski hosted an annual celebrity wine auction in his name in order to raise money for his Frank Ski Kids Foundation. His ”Frank Ski Wine Auction” would draw names such as basketball legend Julius Irving, hip-hop artist Young Jeezy, music mogul Sean Combs, actor Idris Elba, and the mayor of Atlanta, Shirley Franklin. Ski hobnobbed with both dignitaries and celebrities, typically raising a hundred thousand dollars or more for his foundation. In addition, Ski also often takes under-privileged and at-risk children on vacations such as to the Galapagos Islands and a yearly organized trip to NASA.
In addition to his own foundation, Ski also spearheaded a fundraiser for New Orleans after being hit by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In fact, he helped to raise in excess of half a million dollars, given in support of New Orleans and those who lost their livelihood due to the hurricane.
4. His Hosting
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame is also hosted by Frank Ski. Created in 2004, this movement is a partnership between the National Park Service and the Trumpet Awards Foundation. It was created in order to give special recognition to those, who as civil rights leaders, have promoted equality and justice for all.
5. His Awards
- “Journalist of the Year”, Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition, 2002
- Achievement in Radio Award, Georgia March of Dimes, year unknown
- Distinguished Community Service Award, National Urban League, Atlanta Chapter, 2007
- Community Service Award, Ludacris Foundation, 2008
- Alive Community Service Award, 2009
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