| Heshimu Jaramogi | |
| Birth Name: | James Henry Wilson Jr. |
| Birth Date: | 17 October 1952 |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Death Place: | West Philadelphia |
| Occupation: | Journalist |
| Alma Mater: | Northeastern Illinois University |
Heshimu Jaramogi (born on October 17, 1952); and passing away on January 14, 2020, was a journalist known for pioneering multimedia journalism. His prominent outlets included "The Neighborhood Leader," alongside contributions to The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia radio. Over a span of forty years, he reached the pinnacle of his career as the president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists.
Jaramogi was born in Philadelphia to James Henry Wilson Sr., Rosa Braxton Wilson, and (later) a younger sibling (unknown). He graduated from West Catholic High and earned his bachelor's degree from Northeastern Illinois University. Post-graduation, Jaramogi got involved with activism and took action to demonstrate his radical change, specifically changing his name from James Henry Wilson Jr. to his current Swahili moniker.
His 1980s radio career culminated in the development of Jaramogi Communications and involved his work as a WHYY producer, host of Let's Talk About It and stints at WDAS-FM (105.3) and WUSL (Power 99 FM). Heading into the 1990s, Jaramogi wrote for The Philadelphia Tribune,[1] the Philadelphia Daily News, The Philadelphia Inquirer,[2] and the Philadelphia New Observer. Further drawing on his activist influences, Jaramogi Communications campaigned with U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Gov. Tom Corbett, and the District Attorney Lynne Abraham. He worked as an adjunct professor at Temple University. In 2011, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ).
Jaramogi's formative years informed his career moves. He was raised under catholic beliefs so influential that he aspired to be a priest. The religious orientation of concern for our neighbor's wellbeing inspired his choice of majors at Northeastern Illinois University,[3] Political Science with an emphasis on Inner City Studies. It also motivated him to run for president of the field's Student Organization, The Jacob H. Carruthers Center. The center's investment in Chicago communities propelled him into activism that would come to animate much of his professional life through politics.
Post Northeastern Illinois University, Jaramogi's short stint as an NPR reporter unlocked his interest in working behind the scenes, reporting, and, eventually, producing. In an interview with E. Stevens Collins and Karen Warrington, it is revealed that Jaramogi impressed the staff so much with his report on a woman who was wrongly accused of robbing a Brinks truck that they invited him to apply for a position.
At WDAS (80s), Jaramogi worked as a producer and host for his own radio talk show, Let's Talk About It. From 1986 to 1988, he covered city government and general assignments on WPEN-AM. He was a general reporter for WCAU AM. His colleagues spoke highly of him. Karen Warrington said, "Heshimu was a solid media professional...He was a cultural brother whose African-centric point of view informed him as a communicator."
Jaramogi was part of the Community Development Institute from 1992 to 1993. He took his journalism experience to the classroom as an adjunct professor at Temple University, Foothill College, and The University of Pennsylvania. At this time, he ventured into multimedia and created Jaramogi Communications, which popularized multimedia news and reporting in the late 90s. He was a one-man operation with proficiencies in film, audio, and other media platforms. He was president of Jaramogi Communications for 22 years before moving on to Clear Channel Communications from 2005 to 2007, which brought him back to WDAS AM & FM, WUSL (Power 99 FM) and WJJZ. He had a brief stint as media consultant for the AFSCME District Council 47.