She’s a voice Charlotte has trusted for decades — and now Ramona Holloway is bringing her storytelling and heart for community to a new stage. On this episode of Oui Talk Raw with host Terry Hudson, Ramona opens up about her transition from co-hosting The Matt and Ramona Show to becoming Director of Community Relations at The Mint Museum. She shares how her work builds bridges across the city, how events like #FamilyDancePartyCLT honor her late mother while raising Alzheimer’s awareness, and why storytelling remains at the core of everything she does.
Ramona Holloway | Director of Community Relations at The Mint Museum
About Me – Ramona Holloway
After more than 20 years as one half of the “Matt and Ramona Show,” nominated for radio’s prestigious Marconi Award, Ramona Holloway has segued into a corporate role as director of Community Relations at The Mint Museum and owner of her own media business.
At The Mint she is responsible for cultivating relationships with community partners and managing programs that align with the museum’s vision and mission. Her goal is to use all of her platforms — in the community and on social media — as bridges to connections that provide opportunities for hope and better health.
Ramona sums it up as “sharing life” when she talks about her 30-year career in media, motivational speaking and event hosting. She was awarded the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Award for radio comedy, and has been named Best Radio Personality three times by “Charlotte Magazine.”
Her experience on the microphone includes formats from country and urban to Top 40 and Gospel; she has served in a range of positions from news director to talk-show host. Comfortable in front of the camera as well, Ramona co-hosted NBC Charlotte’s “Charlotte Today” for two years; she and Matt hosted “News Edge” on WCCB-TV in Charlotte for four years. She also served as a part-time anchor for WBNS-TV in Columbus, Ohio, and co-host of WOSU-TV’s “Viewpoint” program. Ramona is a big believer in giving back to the community.
She sets aside time each month to volunteer with numerous charitable organizations and sits on the advisory council of Lift Up Carolinas, the board of directors for RAIN, Inc. and is a board member and advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Western Carolina Chapter. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority. Born in Oberlin, Ohio, and raised in Somerset, N.J.,
Ramona was educated at Penn State University. She is a fan of the arts and history, and in her free time, enjoys dancing, decorating, traveling and watching movies. Most Sundays, you will find her fellowshipping with other believers and watching her beloved Carolina Panthers afterward. On Saturdays, she indulges her passion — bargain-hunting.
On Community, Art, and Dementia Awareness
The latest episode of Oui Talk Raw with host Terry Hudson dives into a conversation equal parts heart, humor, and hard truth. Guest Ramona Holloway — beloved broadcaster, community advocate, and voice for dementia awareness — brings her trademark authenticity while sharing stories about family, faith, and the power of art to connect us all.
Ramona Holloway: From Radio to Community Leadership
Known for her years on Charlotte radio, Ramona Holloway has seamlessly transitioned her voice and influence into community engagement and nonprofit advocacy. Today, she works closely with the Mint Museum, helping bring art, dance, and cultural expression into the heart of Charlotte.
“Everything I have done up to this point was not done alone. I had a God guiding me and I have a network… who have lifted me up,” Ramona shares, underscoring her belief in collective effort and community support.
Mint to Move: Charlotte’s Biggest Dance Party
One highlight of the episode is the Mint to Move Cultural Dance Night, a signature Charlotte event blending music, dance, and art. This October, the event will take a new step forward by spotlighting local Latin American artists during Latin Heritage Month.
Key additions this year include:
- Latin dance lessons at the Mint Museum
- A live art demonstration by Rosa Diaz
- Local vendors showcasing and selling original artwork
Instead of buying generic décor, attendees can support neighborhood creators while celebrating culture.
Art, Vulnerability, and Sharing Your Gift
Ramona reminds listeners that art isn’t meant to stay hidden:
“Quit taking this great art to the grave. You were given that gift to share, you weren’t given that gift to keep.”
She encourages artists — whether painters, poets, dancers, or storytellers — to push past fear and share their work, stressing that even if one person connects, the impact is real.
A Daughter’s Story: Dementia, Caregiving, and Advocacy
The conversation turns deeply personal when Ramona opens up about her mother, Weezy, who became a beloved figure on her radio show before being diagnosed with dementia. What started with funny, uninhibited on-air moments turned into the difficult reality of caregiving. Ramona shares candidly about the emotional weight of role reversal, learning empathy, and eventually advocating at the national level with the Alzheimer’s Association. Her mission today is to support other caregivers through speaking engagements, mentorship, and raising awareness of dementia’s real challenges — including the little-discussed aspects like sundowning and the strain on families.
Community, Faith, and Letting Go of Expectations
Whether through radio, art, or nonprofit work, Ramona lives by the principle that connection matters more than numbers:
“If one person needs you, so many people need you. If one person gets you, you’ve made a difference because every single life matters.”
By letting go of expectations — whether in social media likes or event turnout — she stays focused on the bigger mission: building stronger communities rooted in service and creativity.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Art connects communities: Sharing creative work builds relationships and gives local artists vital exposure.
- Caregiving is both challenge and gift: Ramona’s journey with her mother highlights the importance of empathy, patience, and support networks.
- Community makes the mission possible: From Mint to Move to dementia advocacy, Ramona stresses she never works alone.
- Let go of expectations: Impact is measured in connection, not numbers.
- Service as a lifestyle: Her mother instilled a belief in giving back to every community she touched — a legacy Ramona continues.
And of course, catch her voice and community leadership in Charlotte and beyond.
This Oui Talk Raw episode with Ramona Holloway is a must-listen for anyone navigating caregiving, craving community, or needing the nudge to finally share their creative gift.
More Artists and Show Episodes
