Alvin Washington Jr. aka Vince Brown in the Morning Dies at 51

Alvin Washington Jr. had a big personality and huge heart. He passed away over the weekend after a brief illness. Photo courtesy of Biggs Radio

I don't talk about the people who I shared my Chicago State experience with enough. Then a moment like this happens and it all comes back to you. Alvin Washington Jr., aka Vinnie Fresh Mix, aka Vinnie "The Voice," passed away over the weekend at the age of 51. His father passed on May 28th, which was the last time I communicated with him.
When I decided to go into journalism my junior year at Chicago State University, Alvin was one of the first people I came across. He was on the radio side of things and I was on the newspaper side. He was helpful from the day we met and continued to give me advice, constructive criticism, fact checking, and opportunities while being a good pain in my ass.
He allowed me to broadcast CSU games with him when I was a student and I didn't have a clue on how radio worked. He supported every media endeavor I took on from my freelance career, to my current “What's Up Cuz?!” podcast, to this website www.joydenreports.com. Alvin always shared a kind word and spoke frankly with me. He once told me while we were in college: "Jason, while our administration might hate you, the work you do is important and if you are making the powers at be mad then you are telling the truth. Keep writing the truth."
I never forgot that conversation and I have patterned my career on those words he left me with. When I was a guest on his morning podcast a few months back it reminded me of how far the both of us had come in our careers. It is not a lot of Black men who are professional public address announcers. Alvin, along with myself, Andre Morgan and Jimmy “In the Gym” Smith, were always in high demand for our services. We never had to compete with one another because there were so many opportunities for all of us, we could usually tell each other about open gigs so the other could benefit. That sums up Alvin in general, always seeking to help other people in the media business.

Alvin Washington spent much of his career broadcasting or serving as a public address announcer for several Chicago area college and high school teams. He also served as a tutor to many young people who were seeking to get into the business. He shared his knowledge of the industry with anyone who was willing to listen and learn and was an encyclopedia on sports history. Photo provided by Triton College.

Vince was a board member of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame Chicago and Indiana Chapters where he received the Presidential Award for Community Service from the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden in 2022. He was a broadcaster for several local colleges, including Purdue Northwest, Chicago State, Triton and served as one of he primary public address announcers for the Chicago Public Schools. His business partner at Biggs Radio Dinahlynn Biggs described this loss as “devastating.”
Alvin had his challenges like all of us. He had his health battles. He could get himself into situations that would drive you nuts, but he was ALWAYS a caring human being and his heart was always in the right place. Triton College men’s basketball head coach John Clancy said it best: “Alvin was flat out a great human being.”

Even in death, Vince is still caring for his fellow person, according to his mother Harlette Smith Washington. His remains were donated to the Lamplight Donor Services and another agency was given his eyes for transplantation to help someone else to see.
A good part of the world has died with his passing. I will miss him dearly and carry on with my journalism work in his honor. Rest well buddy. You have signed off for the last time.