Freddie Bell is a member of the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame, CEO and General Manager of the Center for Communication and Development and KMOJ-FM, and Chairman of Ampers (Association of MN Public Educational Radio Stations). Throughout his career, Bell’s leadership and talents have advanced the important missions of these and other public and community-based broadcast organizations, specifically at KMOJ, to educate and engage Communities of Color and reinstate the affirmative Black image. Introducing people of all ages and People of Color to broadcasting is a passion for him.
Bell is also an on-air host at KMOJ and host of the nationally syndicated New Beginnings, and the Syndicated Freddie Bell Show, an old-school music show. New Beginnings addresses the needs of Baby Boomers examining topics including employment, health and fitness, end of life issues, housing and aging in place, financial concerns, spirituality and more.
Bell, also a motivational speaker, is author of Words to the Wise: Guide to Daily Living and 2022 Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame Inductee.
He spearheaded Racial Reckoning: The Arc of Justice, a journalism initiative created by Ampers, KMOJ and the Minnesota Humanities Center covering the trials of former Minneapolis police officers charged with the murder of George Floyd, the community’s response, and the changes needed to create a more just society. Episodes were broadcast on stations across Minnesota and nationwide. In 2022 the Society of Professional Journalist awarded the project with 1st place Honors.
Bell received the Change Makers at Home award from the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights in 2021, AARP’s 50 Over 50 Honor in 2022 and has received numerous awards during his career.
Professionally, Bell began as a Broadcast Journalist for ABC News Affiliate, KETV while also working for KOWH FM in Omaha, Nebraska.
In private industry, Bell’s career led him to Communications and Sales leadership positions with Mutual of Omaha, and Northern Petrochemical Company in Nebraska; Nextel and Sprint Communications in Florida and Washington DC; Broadcasting Leadership stints with CBS Radio’s KSGS-AM, and The Center for Communication’s KMOJ-FM in Minnesota. Bell is also active in his church, Unity South Twin Cities.