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STERLING

The Voice of Bragg

11/11/2022 2:58:00 PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Who is 'The Voice of Bragg,' you might ask? A man with passion, projection, and personality. A product from Florida A&M University's School of Journalism, and an eight-year on-air radio personality, Sterling Stevenson is the voice heard rumbling through Bragg Stadium. 
 
As one of Florida's grooviest radio personalities today, Stevenson has a 'sterling' story. Before taking his throne on the Highest of Seven Hills as FAMU's Voice of Bragg in 2018, he was Orlando, Florida's Star 94.5 host.  
 
Stevenson began his radio career in the summer of 1997 at WANM-FM 90.5, FAMU's The Flava Station. "My on-air name was 'ForePlay,'" exclaimed Stevenson, "striking you with the Jamz." He currently hosts "The Top 10 Countdown" on Soul95.com. 
 
Stevenson has an undeniable talent, but behind the deep baritone voice that fills Bragg Stadium on Saturdays is an introvert. Stevenson hid his identity from the majority and only shared his recognition with a trusted handful. 
 
"For the longest, my preference was to be heard, not seen," said Stevenson. "Many don't believe me when I say that one of my personality traits is that I'm an introvert." After meeting Stevenson, one would never believe he is typically reserved and shy. 
 
The grabber of Sterling Stevenson's story is how he stumbled upon the public announcing career pivot in his life. In 2010, Stevenson was asked to introduce a lifelong friend's drumline for Jones High School in Daytona. After hearing Stevenson's mesmerizing voice, the Jones High School Band Director was so impressed that he requested him to take the position as the band's new voice. 
 
Jumping ahead to the first game of the 2010-11 football season, Jones High School's regular PA Announcer didn't show up. Immediately, the Athletic Director turned to the band's new voice, Stevenson, to hop on the mic and PA for the game. Stevenson was entirely unaware that this night was about to be the beginning of greatness. 
 
"We were at Camping World Stadium; capacity at the time was 75,000," said Stevenson. "Little did I know, their AD was introducing me to the world of public address." 
 
This special talent, and God-given voice of Stevenson's, has offered him a variety of opportunities. Although Stevenson was most comfortable providing public address for football and basketball, the two sports he played growing up, he realized he was missing numerous opportunities by not availing himself to other non-traditional sports.  
 
"With this evolution of thought, I've been able to be the public address announcer for cheer competitions, wrestling matches, and other sports that I hadn't ever thought to explore," Stevenson exclaimed.  
 
One of The Voice of Bragg's greatest personal achievements is being selected to provide PA for NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, Florida, in 2012. Another humbling moment of his career was receiving praise and compliments from his radio idol, Tom Joyner, who said Stevenson did a "good a** job calling the game like I've never heard a game called before." 
 
After fulfilling the dreams of public address for the NBA, NFL, and now the NCAA at the beloved FAMU, Stevenson's goals are to teach individuals with similar or greater talents and make them legendary. "I'm humbled that God trusted me with a talent that he didn't bless many," he stated. "My end goal is to be a bridge builder in the world of voice professionals, radio, and public address." 
 
Catch the 'Voice of Bragg' at FAMU's next home game, where you can hear the extraordinary Sterling voice firsthand. 
 
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