Freddie Bell is a Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee whose work has helped shape community media across the state. He serves as CEO and General Manager of the Center for Communication and Development and KMOJ‑FM, and is Chairman of Ampers, the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations. His leadership centers on strengthening public media, uplifting Communities of Color, and advancing an affirmative Black image. Introducing young people and emerging voices to broadcasting remains one of his deepest commitments.
Bell is also a familiar voice on the air. He hosts New Beginnings, a nationally syndicated program exploring issues important to Baby Boomers—from health and fitness to housing, finances, spirituality, and aging with dignity. He also hosts The Barbecue Radio Network with Freddie Bell, a nationally syndicated show celebrating food, culture, and community.
A motivational speaker and author, Bell wrote Words to the Wise: Guide to Daily Living and was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2022.
He helped lead Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice, a journalism initiative created by Ampers, KMOJ, and the Minnesota Humanities Center. The project covered the trials of former Minneapolis police officers charged with the murder of George Floyd, the community’s response, and the ongoing work toward a more just society. The series aired statewide and nationally, earning First Place Honors from the Society of Professional Journalists in 2022.
Bell’s work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights’ Change Makers at Home Award (2021) and AARP’s 50 Over 50 Award (2022).
His early career included roles in broadcast journalism with ABC affiliate KETV and on‑air work with KOWH‑FM in Omaha. He later held leadership positions in communications and sales in both the private and public sectors before returning to community broadcasting, where he continues to guide one of the nation’s most respected urban community stations. Bell is also active in his faith community at Unity South Twin Cities.