Long time broadcaster and community leader E. Steven Collins, 58, has passed away. He was the Director of Urban Marketing and External Relations for the Radio One group here in Philadelphia.
Collins was to be one of the honorees at the prestigious Lew Klein Awards at Temple next month. Klein is a former President and former Chairman of the Board of this organization.
Collins was the host of "Philly Speaks" on WRNB, 100.3.Throughout his career, he also hosted many of similiar programs. He was also a guest on many national programs including Philadelphia born Chris Matthews.
E. Steven Collins worked at many radio stations including WDAS AM & FM. He was one of the announcers of the live 14-hour broadcast that the stations aired. What was the event? It was Philadelphia's very first "Unity Day." Then, it was not in Center City but on Haverford Avenue in West Philly near 42nd Street. Collins was a WDAS newsman at the time.
The producer of that live broadcast was our very own Chairman of the Board, Gerry Wilkinson, who was Operations Manager of WDAS during that time period. Gerry said:
This is a real loss for our city. E. Steven Collins was a true professional in every sense of the word and he will be missed.
Many people have referred to him as a leader of the African-American community, but in my opinion, he was a community leader in the Delaware Valley and his concern was for everyone. He cared. He loved Philly and everyone in it. I never heard him say one bad word about anyone.
Collins had an unusual side to him. He liked to call people "frog." I never had an explanation for that but it was never meant to be negative.
About twelve years ago, my wife, Michele, and our youngest daughter, Zara, were walking down the halls of Central High in Philly when from behind, someone yelled out, "Hey, Frog." Without turning around, I knew exactly who it was. Collins was there with his wife and son, who was also a student at the school.
He cared - about our country - our city - our schools - and his family. That first "Unity Day" was definitely all about love. I remember E. Steven Collins saying on that broadcast, a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great of a burden to bear."
We'll miss you, my friend.
