Sherry Carter
Encyclopedia
Early Career
Carter began her broadcasting career by appearing in television commercials which included a national spot for Mr. Coffee, working alongside baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. She later hosted the Ohio lottery drawing and co-hosted Soul Soundtrax, a music video show that aired in Cleveland, Ohio. Arsenio Hall was among Carter's many co-hosts on the show.Her background also includes work on radio as a morning drive anchor, public affairs show host and on-air personality at WJMO-AM and as a news reporter at WGAR-FM, both in Cleveland. She later joined the QVC Home Shopping Network ( based in West_Chester, Pa. ) as an on-air talent, advertising the network's merchandise.
Prior to beginning her broadcasting career, Carter worked as a sales representative for a publishing company. She later began modeling at the suggestion of a photographer who approached her at a fashion show. After a brief and successful stint modeling freelance, she decided to pursue it as a full-time career, resigning her job at the publishing firm, to work for the Midwestern-based firm David and Lee.
Carter, who currently resides in Howard County, Maryland, was born in Milwaukee, Wis. and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. She is a graduate of Miami University ( Ohio ) with a bachelor of arts degree in Communications and a minor in Fine Arts.
Host of Video LP
Carter first received national recognition in her career as the host of Video LP, a live, viewer call-in, music video program on BETBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
. She is credited as the first female VJ on BET. Her bubbly, vibrant presence as host of the show garnered her many fans over the time she helmed Video LP
Video LP
Video LP was a half-hour, live viewer call-in program that debuted in 1986 on BET . It primarily showcased R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop music videos. The original hostess was Robin Breedon, but the most well-known host was Sherry Carter from 1989 until 1992, when she moved on to co-host Video Soul from...
from 1986 to 1994. Her interview style during that time warmed her guests into discussing the details of their music career and current projects. She often shared stories of her experiences that related to the topic the artist was discussing. This warmth also carried over to her youthful callers from whom she would coax details about their opinions of the music featured on Video LP
Video LP
Video LP was a half-hour, live viewer call-in program that debuted in 1986 on BET . It primarily showcased R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop music videos. The original hostess was Robin Breedon, but the most well-known host was Sherry Carter from 1989 until 1992, when she moved on to co-host Video Soul from...
. During one Video LP episode, guest Gladys Knight admitted that she remembered Carter from a previous interview that occurred years prior, testifying to Carter’s effectiveness as a celebrity interviewer.
Also of note during her stint as host of Video LP
Video LP
Video LP was a half-hour, live viewer call-in program that debuted in 1986 on BET . It primarily showcased R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop music videos. The original hostess was Robin Breedon, but the most well-known host was Sherry Carter from 1989 until 1992, when she moved on to co-host Video Soul from...
were the fashion statements she made in each episode. Her audience looked forward to the outfits that she and her stylist(s) put together for her to wear during each show, which helped define a niche for Video LP
Video LP
Video LP was a half-hour, live viewer call-in program that debuted in 1986 on BET . It primarily showcased R&B/Soul and Hip-Hop music videos. The original hostess was Robin Breedon, but the most well-known host was Sherry Carter from 1989 until 1992, when she moved on to co-host Video Soul from...
.
Co-host of Video Soul
In 1992, Carter was tapped to co-host the BET flagship program, Video SoulVideo Soul
Video Soul was a 2-hour long American music video program that aired on BET from 1981 to 1996.-History:Video Soul premiered in June 1981 and was originally a half hour show. It was devoted to helping showcase new R&B/soul recording artists and performers...
, with Donnie Simpson
Donnie Simpson
Donnie Simpson is a longtime American radio DJ as well as a television and movie personality. He hosted The Donnie Simpson Morning Show on Washington, D.C. radio station WPGC-FM from March 1993 to January 29, 2010. Simpson is the first urban-format radio personality to have an annual salary over...
after his former co-host, Sheila Banks, moved to This Week in Black Entertainment. Carter held this position until 1997.
BET On Jazz
Carter continued to provide her hosting skills to BET since leaving Video SoulVideo Soul
Video Soul was a 2-hour long American music video program that aired on BET from 1981 to 1996.-History:Video Soul premiered in June 1981 and was originally a half hour show. It was devoted to helping showcase new R&B/soul recording artists and performers...
by segueing to BET’s sister channel, BET On Jazz, to host Jazz Scene, as the new cable channel was being established. Her current affiliations with BET or other career activities are unknown.