If you’ve been in Tallahassee longer than one day, the chances are good that Dot Trotman Ealy’s presence has impacted your life. As the woman behind five of the most popular radio stations in the market, Dot leads with compassion, wisdom, and a finger on the pulse of Tallahassee.
Her creativity, leadership, and contributions to our community make her one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know for 2024. But when she got the news she thought there must be a mistake. “I’ve been reading about these women for years, and never thought I would be one of them,” she said.
It’s no surprise to anyone who has met her. Ealy is the vice president and market manager at Cumulus Media Communication, which means she manages five radio stations, including 96.1 Jamz, Star 98, Gulf 104, Blazin’ 102.3 and Heaven 98.3. “Having all of the personalities we have on our team is amazing,” she says.
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She started her career in print media, working in sales for The Augusta Chronicle. “That’s how I met the people at Cumulus,” she says. When the opportunity to move into radio in the Tallahassee market came her way, she wasn’t sure. “I thought, Tallahassee? What in the world is there?” she laughs. “But I came to visit, I loved the team and the diversity of the radio station, and I have been here for 16 years.”
Teamwork is at the core of how Ealy operates, looking for ways to help small businesses make the most of their advertising budgets. “It can never be an individual job,” she said. “From the engineers to the techs, each person’s individuality is what makes us successful. And they have to be smarter than me! We all learn from each other.”
Some of Ealy’s introduction to the business world came from an older sister, who took her under her wing at a young age and mentored her through her first job as a waitress. “She was opening a restaurant, and she showed me how to talk to people, have confidence, and interact with people,” she recalls. “She said, ‘you’re not going to stay here in our small town, that is not for you. This is training ground.’”
One of Ealy’s favorite parts of her work is the opportunity to partner with nonprofit organizations to give back to the community. “I remember how my mom and dad brought me up, teaching me and my eight brothers and sisters that if you can’t help someone, at least don’t harm them.”
She wants us to know her parents’ names — George and Bura Mae Trotman — and honor the impact they had on her life. She and her siblings gather on the family farm each Thanksgiving, and she makes family a priority. “I love playing with my grandkids, being thankful for each blessing we receive daily, and learning from them, too.”
Tallahassee has grown on Ealy, and now you can find her cheering at FAMU and FSU sports events, enjoying the city’s best restaurants, and boutique shopping with friends. Her favorite things have a bonus, because she has curated them into the annual What Women Want event, one of the largest of the year.
“It’s amazing how it grows every year,” Ealy said. She sets aside 10 booths for women-led nonprofits who may not be able to pay the vendor fee but have something to offer. “It’s a way we can grow small businesses and help everyone.”
Dot’s calm and purposeful outlook on life demonstrates her conviction that she is living a legacy, handed down from her parents and taking root here in Tallahassee. “The way I see it,” she says, “if I do the right thing, God will take care of the rest.”