{"id":12273,"date":"2026-06-30T10:41:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/?p=12273"},"modified":"2026-06-30T10:41:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T14:41:30","slug":"alyssa-barnes-road-to-success-a-radio-career-built-on-resilience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ww2.georgiasouthern.edu\/news\/magazine\/2026\/06\/30\/alyssa-barnes-road-to-success-a-radio-career-built-on-resilience\/","title":{"rendered":"Alyssa Barnes\u2019 Road to Success: A Radio Career Built on Resilience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alyssa Barnes is exactly where she planned to be when she graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2010. The multimedia communications major, known as Danie B in Atlanta, is the midday personality and digital coordinator for radio powerhouse V-103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be on the radio and on TV,\u201d said Barnes, who was raised in metro Atlanta. \u201cGrowing up, I took a liking to television news anchors like Monica Pearson and radio personalities like Tom Joyner, so it came naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deciding moment came in her childhood at a V-103 event when she met station personality Melissa Summers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe was so pretty and so nice,\u201d Barnes remembered. \u201cShe autographed a picture for me that my mom let me put on the refrigerator with a V-103 magnet. From then on, I started to pay attention to the people on the radio and TV and decided that I wanted to be like them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Georgia Southern Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite her early ambition, Barnes acknowledged she was \u201cpretty shy\u201d when she first arrived at Georgia Southern. However, she pushed herself and got involved in different campus activities. She was active in the Student Government Association, the Xi Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Eagle Entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Georgia Southern, I learned that I was capable of being the main character,\u201d she said. \u201cTaking advantage of opportunities \u2026 challenged me to step into the spotlight, grow in those moments and it gave me the footing to be successful in what I\u2019m doing now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She credits several professors for giving her a critical dose of reality about the profession she wanted to pursue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had some pretty tough professors, but their toughness prepared me for the brutality of the entertainment and media business,\u201d she explained. \u201cThey prepared me for things that really happen in the real world. Sometimes you do your best and your best still doesn\u2019t cut it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bumpy Road to Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Immediately upon graduating, the alumna discovered the competitiveness of the media industry. While many of her friends had jobs lined up, she had an unpaid internship. It took her three years to land her first full-time position as a radio personality. And her career challenges didn\u2019t end there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had tons of bumps in the road that are well documented on social media,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve been let go of radio gigs three different times due to budget cuts, consolidation and business restructurings. At one point, it felt like I was getting cut every year like clockwork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chasing her passion, she served a three-year stint in Albany, New York, and seven years in Orlando, Florida. Now, back in Atlanta, the popular radio host is living her dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this point in my career, after getting knocked down so many times, it feels good to be able to say that I did it,\u201d she proudly admitted. \u201cAfter doing radio in so many different places, to be back in my hometown and to show my parents that I made something that seemed so impossible for myself is a dream come true. And for childhood friends, teachers, mentors, family members and classmates to see and know my journey and my struggles and say that they are proud and truly mean it is extremely rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barnes\u2019 current role on V-103 is a demanding blend of on-air hosting, conducting interviews, managing the station\u2019s websites, apps, social media and promoting community initiatives. Her midday show airs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is aimed at people who are at work or running errands. The on-air personality provides information that \u201cpeople may not know, but they need to know,\u201d as she covers everything from local elections and food recalls to scams and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI try to stay on top of all things that affect the lifestyle of the average Atlantan,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her job comes with some cool perks, like meeting celebrities or hosting the season-opening pep rally for the Atlanta Falcons. But more important was overcoming an early career challenge: \u201ccode-switching.\u201d She would alter her on-air voice or \u201cclean it up\u201d for the mainstream audience. However, following candid conversations with co-workers, she pivoted and embraced her \u201cfull, silly, authentic self\u201d behind the mic. That genuine voice is what resonates with her listeners and makes the job so rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Danie B Caring Foundation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not only is she flourishing in a top 10 market, but she is also the CEO and founder of a nonprofit, the Danie B Caring Foundation. Her mother\u2019s experience with lupus, and the support Barnes received from a former colleague during a tough period in her life, inspired her to create the recently established foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Florida, I lost my job twice,\u201d she noted. \u201cThe first time, I had a couple of months to figure out where I would go because I had to give up my apartment. Renee, a lady I worked with, invited me to stay with her and her family free of charge. When I tried to pay her back, she said, \u2018You pay me back by helping someone else. You pass the blessing on.\u2019 So, that\u2019s what I\u2019m doing with this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The foundation is dedicated to creating programs for young people, boosting their self-esteem and raising awareness and providing support for lupus warriors. The nonprofit\u2019s first two planned events include a hair clinic for young girls and a big prom dress giveaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encouraging Eagles to SOAR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Barnes has deepened her connection to Georgia Southern as well. She has returned to campus for speaking engagements and to meet with students. For the next generation of Eagles, she offers experience-driven advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Network with everyone: The guy pitching tents and handing out T-shirts at the station\u2019s events can be your boss in five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to do everything: \u201cOne of the major reasons that I ended up with my dream job is because of my digital skills \u2014 managing websites and social media.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take advantage of social media: Create the content you want to do, put it out there and be consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alumna easily admits that Georgia Southern helped shape the person she is today and said staying connected is a way to give back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing an Eagle is about carrying yourself with pride and always finding ways to soar,\u201d she said. \u201cFor me, that has meant using my voice both on the airwaves and in the community to inspire, uplift and connect with others. Georgia Southern has instilled in me the resilience to keep pushing forward, the courage and tenacity to stand tall and press on no matter the season, and the commitment to lift others in the same ways my fellow Eagles have lifted me so they, too, can rise. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle. We don\u2019t just fly; we soar above it all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 Sandra Bennett<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Alyssa Barnes is exactly where she planned to be when she graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2010. The multimedia communications major, known as Danie B in Atlanta, is the midday personality and digital coordinator for radio powerhouse V-103. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be on the radio and on TV,\u201d said Barnes, who was raised […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":12275,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[91,92],"class_list":["post-12273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","tag-fall-2025","tag-spring-2026"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t