99 shot by Anthony “Gadget” Mims for the “DC Symphony 3 (A Pocket Full of Dymes)” video.
Ninety-Nine (“99”) is an established media personality and entertainment journalist with 20 years of experience connecting to artists, musicians, and their patrons. She has worked in programming, promotions or as on-air talent for Washington, DC and Baltimore area radio and television stations WPGC FM 95.5, Heaven 1580AM, WIAV-TV Channel 58, and WXYV-FM (Baltimore’s former V103).
Take Me Out to the Go-Go Magazine has featured 99 as a staff writer, radio show co-host, and video host since 1998. Hopelessly in love with diverse artistic endeavors, 99 has also starred in a music video (“Black Love Superstars,” 2012), performed the intro on a go-go rap song (“DC Symphony 3,” 2013), starred in an episode of a web series (App Love, “Circle of Friends,” 2017), and starred in an episode of a true crime series on the TV One network (Thou Shalt Not, S1:E8 “Unnecessary Evils,” 2017).
Known elsewhere as Tahira Chloe Mahdi, she had early career success with bestselling books God Laughs, Too: Incidents in the Life of a Black Chick (fiction, 2001 & 2003) and How to Be Queen of the Universe (self-help, 2005). During this time, she toured nationally as an inspirational speaker and workshop facilitator for women’s groups.
Arts, media, community empowerment, and academics have always intersected in 99’s mission. From 2005-2007, she taught multimedia writing and production courses at the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. In 2007, she returned to university life to complete a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and in 2014, earned a Master of Arts in Human Services Psychology. In 2018, she completed her Ph.D. in Human Services Psychology, with a concentration in Community Psychology. In 2019, she started the Regional Tour of Go-Go History with historian/artist Kato Hammond and, in 2020, started a podcast with colleagues called Sista Docs Exhale.