Franklyn Verley

Sunrise: December 27, 1960                  Sunset: September 28, 2019

Franklyn Gerrard Verley III was born in New York, New York "Harlem USA" on December 27, 1960 to Franklyn Fitzgerald Verley II and Carroll Ann Howell Verley. From the beginning Franklyn was influence by his Jamaican grandparents both of the Howell's and the Verley's. The family sat around the table and told stories of life in Jamaica and the journey to New York. These stories instilled in him a strong commitment to family and community. Franklyn's parents and grandparents also impressed upon him an authentic appreciation of his roots through submerging him in black culture. Franklyn's father taught him how to be a strong black man who balanced education and self-discipline. His mother's love for educating young people inspired Franklyn's love for mentoring young minds. Growing up in Harlem during the 70's and 80's gave him a flair to his personality that only the community could. Franklyn build lifelong relationships that have sustained through the years.

While growing up, Franklyn was a sports enthusiast, he excelled in wrestling and football. In 1985 Franklyn enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Franklyn later went to work for the New York Times. During his 19 years at The Times, he grew his career to become the regional head of distribution, covering all of New York State and surrounding areas. While at The Times, he cultivated even more lifelong friendships. Relationships that he credited as helping increase hi love for journalism and writing.

After relocating to Las Vegas, Franklyn did what came naturally to him....

Franklyn, aka "Verl" started working for the City of Las Vegas in the Parks & Recreation Division over 21 years ago. He acted as an advocate for his team, he is passionate about keeping the team inspired and motivated. And as with every place Frankly goes, he built lifelong friendships and impacted lives. 

Wanting to connect the community and power of mass media back to its historical relevance in the Black community, he set his sights on radio and joined KCEP FM in June of 2000. His NY roots provided "Franklyn G" insights to Rap, Hip-Hop, New Jack swing, Disco, Soul, R&B and Jazz that shaped his style of programming and events. Franklyn developed his experience in various musical formats as part of the KCEP family, yet he was always hoping to create pathways to connect this small desert oasis to the larger Black diaspora though "Black Intelligent talk radio". In 2006, Franklyn developed "Like It Is Radio!" He used this outlet as an opportunity to speak truth to power and birth events such as "Kemet in The Desert", "Men Who Cook", "Emancipation Circle" and countless other community events. Franklyn is also a part of the renowned :Breakdown Crew". During his time in Las Vegas, Franklyn is the recipient of countless certificates, declarations and awards most recently including the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Fountain of Hope Community Activism Award and NAACP Legacy Builder Award.

Franklyn leaves a legacy wherever he goes, but this Desert has been impacted by his bold creative community involvement. Weather "F to the Jizzle". "Franklyn G", "Frank-o-domus" or "Student Verley," this city has been challenged to keep this important work alive. He will tell you "there is still work to be done!"