Pablo de Jesus Colón Jr.
At the third annual Latin Music Festival at Paradise Green on Sunday, the sounds of jazz and salsa paused briefly as a prominent member of our community was recognized for his service.
As part of the celebration, Mayor John Harkins presented a plaque to honor longtime Stratford resident Pablo De Jesús Colón, Jr., president and CEO of Radio Cumbre Broadcasting, which owns and operates radio station WCUM in Bridgeport.
Colón is regarded as a a pioneer of Hispanic radio in Connecticut and he was recently inducted into Connecticut's Hall of Fame.
Colón began his career in 1955 as an on-air personality in the Dominican Republic. He emigrated to Puerto Rico in 1961 and was an on-air host at WABA in Aguadilla and WPRA in Mayaguez. Eight years later, he came to Hartford where he spent two decades at WLVH 93.7 FM rising through the ranks from announcer, program director, sales manager and executive vice president.
In 1989, he co-founded Radio Cumbre Broadcasting, WCUM 1450-AM in Bridgeport, which he still leads.
Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the Music Fest, which included food trucks representing the cuisine of many Latin cultures.
