::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . Syndicated radio host Doug Banks has passed away.  Banks, 57, died at his Florida home of complications related to diabetes and kidney failure on April 11.  The voice of the Detroit native was recognized all over the country, especially in cities like Philly and Chicago where he made his mark. Well respected by his peers and numerous people in the radio business whose careers he helped launch, the outpouring of grief and condolences online has been tremendous.   Funeral services for Doug Banks will take place today, Saturday, April 16. Starting at 10 a.m., Banks’ services will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest & Memorial Funeral Home, located at 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas. 

buzzz worthy. . . THE DOUG BANKS MEDIA GROUP SIGNS URBAN INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC LEGEND DONALD LAWRENCE TO HOST A NEW WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL RADIO PROGRAM Chicago, IL - The Doug Banks Media Group has signed Grammy Award winning Producer and Recording Artist Donald Lawrence to host a new syndicated, Urban AC motivational radio program entitled “Music Therapy with Donald Lawrence” that launches in January of 2015 with distribution to Urban Adult Contemporary (UAC) radio station formats. “I’m pretty excited about it,” says Lawrence. “I’ve always been committed to using music as therapy to inspire and encourage as well as to entertain and that’s what the Doug Banks Media Group recruited me to do with this show. It will be a mix of inspiring music by artists ranging from Jill Scott to the Sounds of Blackness. There will also be audience call-ins, motivational messages and daily words of wisd...