Jay Dukes
By Shampele Williams

     Growing up Jay Dukes aspired to be a platinum rapper but he soon realized that although he could flow he would rather be behind the scenes. He feels alive when he is on the radio or hosting and making people laugh, "Laughing is good for the soul" explains Jay Dukes.

     His motto is "Hard work won't kill you, no one ever drowned in sweat" and hard work and dedication is exactly what separates him from his peers. As a recent college graduate from Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina he is now on the morning show at 107 JAMZ in Greenville, South Carolina. Jay Dukes said it doesn't feel like work when it is your passion and purpose in life.

     He also has his own production company, Jay Dukes Production which is a hosting and marketing company. He aspires to create opportunities for others and to one day look back at a legacy that he built one day at a time.

     Five years from now he sees himself as a fulltime on air personality and a millionaire. He thinks it is important to look at the big picture, to take steps to get there but don't get lost in the moment. Jay Dukes encourages aspiring entertainers to write down their goals to remind them of where they want to be and to stay focused. Jay Dukes says young people should never lose sight of their goals, "Life is not a race, it's a marathon, it's all about who will last the longest."