Sunni, the newest radio host to join one of the area's top stations, WPGC, speaks on her move to D.C., working in a male-dominated field, and being the first woman from Bosnia to have her own show. She and her family moved to the United States from a Croatian refugee camp in 1997.
You're the newest radio personality to join WPGC. When did your radio journey begin?
I started in radio back in 2002, when I graduated from high school. I got my first internship at WJLB in 2002. I worked my way from being an intern to a promotions assistant, to a promotions coordinator, to part time on air, and finally landed my own show as a host for the Quiet Storm. It was quite the journey and I learned so much there and I've kept growing since.
What do you love most about living in D.C. so far?
I think D.C is like a mini New York; there are just so many things to do. I haven't been out that much, but I'm looking forward to learning the ropes of the city.
This past year you were a writer and on-camera correspondent for one of the country's most well known entertainment bloggers, Necole Bitchie. What was that like?
It was great! I really wanted to gain more on-camera experience and just be more out and about period; Necole definitely gave me plenty of opportunities to do all those things. I also learned so much from her; when she talks about not sleeping, she's not kidding. She showed me the importance of working hard and to go after everything you want.
You're a member of a very male-dominated field. Why do you think the radio industry lacks women?
If you look at the history of this industry, men [have] generally [been] the ones to spin records, therefore ending up on air. It's ten times harder for women because a lot of us don't start off as DJs. We have come a long way, though.
What's your role at WPGC?
I'm the new midday host Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. I want to be the city's midday relief. We have so many ideas and new things coming; I'm so excited. It hasn't hit me yet -- I'm the new midday host! This is my dream.
Do you feel like you've reached your ultimate goal now?
No, of course not -- there's so much I want to do, including having a family and kids. I know a lot of career-driven women cringe at the thought of having kids too early in their careers, but I can't wait. I also still hope to do more television, and of course, I want to be in radio forever. I feel like you're at your happiest when you have great people around you; I'm constantly working on that.
What advice could you give to a young girl who might want her own radio show one day?
I'd tell anyone who aspires to be something in life to never, ever say never. If you would have told me 15 years ago that me, a little girl who lived in a refugee camp in Bosnia would be the first woman from the country to have her own radio show, I would have never believed you. Looking back I never thought I'd be here, but now I know that anything is possible.
