Rachell Montgomery's Page

Who is Rachell Montgomery?

"Embrace being different", familiar words to a person who knows all about not following the status quo. This is Rachell Montgomery. Rachell, a lifelong Chicagoan, has always followed her own heart, and her endless love for music led her into the competitive world of broadcast radio.

Rachell began working in Washington, D.C. at radio station WKYS-FM with legendary Radio and Television Personality, Donnie Simpson, the original host of BET’s Video Soul. There she learned to appreciate the professionalism of broadcasting and the art of marketing. According to Rachell, “Watching Donnie work was like watching magic… he was so intelligent, so cool and I wanted to be just like that".

Upon receiving her B.A. from Columbia College Chicago, Rachell landed a job at legendary radio station WGCI-FM, where she worked with noted radio personalities Doug Banks and Tom Joyner, now both nationally-syndicated hosts for ABC Radio Networks. Rachell’s earliest radio influences range from Dr. Demento to Howard Stern. Rachell has also lent her talents at Chicago radio stations-WXRT-FM, WSCR-AM, WVAZ-FM, WPWX-FM and WSRB-FM.

In the fall of 2000, Rachell channeled her energies to television by creating the only Urban Alternative music entertainment show in Chicago THE ULTIMATE-TV, seen weekly on Chicago Access Network Television. She created "THE ULTIMATE" because of the lack of recognition African-American artists receive from traditional R&B radio stations. Artists like Res, K-OS, Mandrill, Craig David and Ayo are stellar performers with create amazing product and never get the recognition they deserve because their music goes against the traditional music grain and the record company doesn't know how to market them.
As the self-proclaimed “unknown-known person”, Rachell also gives back to the community by teaching a radio broadcasting courses at Illinois School of Broadcasting and classes she created for Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. On teaching, Rachell believes "you should share those gifts with others” and maybe you'll be blessed as well.

Not bad for someone who as a child used to steal her mom’s wigs and high heels and pretend she was Cher. Rachell has become a creative force unto herself, and continues to share that creativity through broadcasting. Rachell truly is the embodiment of change and we love it!!