Sundays will never be the same. Popular host and New York radio veteran, Bob Slade lost his fight with kidney disease, leaving fans and supporters heartbroken.

Most notable for his stint as a News Director at NYC’s popular adult contemporary station 98.7 Kiss FM, his take on news was culturally sensitive as well as hard hitting.

With a deep milk-chocolatey-voice, his commentary was perfect for his weekly show with Bob Pickett and James Mtume called Open Line. On the show, the team broke down the psychology and pathology of racism and social justice. Whether looking at in through the lens of education, police brutality, pop culture or politics, the trio (with Slade playing an intricate part in the content development of the show) are predecessors to the work of millennial media darlings like Shawn King and Deray, that use their voice to drive attention to discrimination towards people of color.

Today many are mourning.

RIP, to my brother,friend, and partner, Bob Slade. For a quarter of a century we struggled together, you are irreplaceable. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/n2QMOfoH7M

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) March 24, 2019