Syndicated radio host Greg Smith is a one-in-a-million African American power wheelchair, user born with muscular dystrophy, who despite extremely limited physical strength has used “inner strength” to establish himself as a rising “crossover” media talent with star potential.

Smith has created multiple markets for his syndicated radio talk show, professional speaking, television talent work, and now, his autobiography, "On A Roll: Reflections from America's Wheelchair Dude with the Winning Attitude,” which will be in bookstores in October 2005, just in time for National Disability Awareness Month.

Greg weighs only 65 pounds. He can not sit upright in his wheelchair without a strap holding him vertical. He had metal rods surgically implanted in his spine at the age of 13. Yet despite these challenges, he is a single father of three healthy children, travels the globe as a motivational speaker, keeps an active social and dating life, and continues to thrive in his pursuit of the American Dream. With humor and masterful storytelling, Greg’s memoir delivers an entertaining “insiders look” at the crossroads in America where family, disability, race and inspiration meet.

For more than a decade, Greg has inspired millions through “On A Roll Radio” a nationally syndicated show that he created and hosted from his power wheelchair. In February 2005, PBS aired a documentary film about his life, which won the “Audience Award” as the viewer favorite for 2005. This has led to discussions with media power brokers about his entree to the mainstream as a social commentator. A reality television show, a “life-story” motion picture project, and future book publications are currently the topics of New York and Los Angeles restaurant and conference room discussions.

Mass Market Appeal for “On A Roll”

Self Help Market - Greg’s appeal extends well beyond his minority groups. His story inspires universally, which is why he changed the focus of his radio program and speaking career in 2003 from “On A Roll,” to “The Strength Coach.” Currently, he travels the country lecturing on how to “build inner strength by lifting the weights of life’s challenges.” This powerful message will find a niche in the self help market.

Disability Market - While “On A Roll” is much more than a disability book, Greg Smith’s base of support is strong within America’s largest minority group: people with disabilities. He created “On A Roll: Talk Radio on Life and Disability” on one radio station in 1992 and through passion and determination, managed to get the program syndicated on more than 70 stations in the span of a decade. During that time, he has built a strong following in the disability rights movement, a population of 54 million Americans. This market also extends to family members of people with disabilities and their friends and professionals in the medical and service delivery industries.

African American Market - “On A Roll” is not limited to readers who belong to Greg’s ethnic group. However, Greg’s story does have an automatic appeal with America’s second largest minority group: African Americans. It is the story of a black family from Mississippi who overcame racial discrimination in the 1960s to achieve corporate and educational success in the North, and who recently, triumphantly returned to their native land. The book also deals with cultural differences between the races, sharing Greg’s observations as an African American child raised in a predominately white, middle class and suburban environment. As a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Greg has many allies in the black media who will be instrumental in announcing this title to the African American community nationwide.

Sports Market - Greg Smith is a life-long sports enthusiast and former sportscaster who covered the NFL, the NBA and major college sports for a decade. In the book, Greg’s metaphor for building inner strength (by working out with the weights of life’s challenges) is mixed with reflections from his sportscasting days, including encounters with famous athletes and coaches. The book will be very appealing to sports fans, and marketable through the sports media.

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