09/05/2025
C.I.T.A's own Clarence Norton featured in DATV Production Spotlight!
Keeping it Simple with Clarence Norton
By: Leslie Mitchell, Production Assistant | Edited by: Evelynne Brown
K.I.S.S. 'Keep it Simple, Sir'
Producers: Clarence Norton, Frances Norton
Airs Weekly on DSTV
Premieres: Mondays @2:00pm
Re-runs: Thursdays @10:00pm
Filling the Need - Clarence Norton began his production journey in 1980 through a spiritual broadcast on WCXL (now WUBE-FM) in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a Military Veteran who specialized in communications during the War in Vietnam (he was stationed in Berlin), Norton was eager to contribute to his community - to “[bring] people together, lend a helping hand,” and spread the gospel. Clarence produced a Christian Radio broadcast in Cincinnati for 5 years until WCXL’s restructuring in 1985, incidentally leading him right through the doors of DATV!
Although his military background and previous experience in broadcasting fostered many relevant technical skills, Clarence had little experience with the Studio Production Process. In the first few years of his membership with DATV, he took full advantage of our workshops and production classes, all while volunteering his support for local events and his fellow members’ productions.
Throughout his 40 years at DATV, Norton has produced various shows, including the talk show, “You Don’t Say," with host Veronica Cunningham, various spiritual programs, such as “Youth and The Word” - a program engaging youth in spiritual discourse!, and assisted DATV with various in-house projects - shout out: Africa Town Narrator!! Not limited to studio productions, Clarence has also worked passionately to promote and record our Community’s history, assisting (sometimes even organizing!) DATV’s coverage of many community events and parades. In recognition of his dedication to providing quality productions, Norton received the Roxie Cole Award of Excellence in 2024.
Keeping it Simple, Sir - Although the program has aired under multiple titles, Clarence Norton has produced some form of “KISS,” ‘Keep It Simple, Sir,’ with DATV since 1985. Together, Clarence and his wife, Frances, saw a need for less-restrictive spiritual programming - and so, the talk show was born! True to its namesake, ‘Keep it Simple, Sir’ works to tackle and demystify often complex/challenging conversations in order to promote a more informed, understanding, empathetic community.
“It’s all about life,” Norton maintains, using K.I.S.S. as a platform to confront a variety of issues – from religious trauma, in the series ‘Church Hurt,’ to grief, in the special ‘My Spouse, My Lost, Heaven Gain’ with guest co-host, Minister Cherrette Taylor Hankerson. Throughout the program’s run, he has met with countless Community Figures, Subject Matter Experts, and known advocates to investigate local history, creativity, current events, and community outreach services. In one such episode, Clarence met with Superintendent Robert Stewart of The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, located in Wilberforce, OH. Superintendent Stewart shared a wealth of information concerning Young’s legacy and the history of the famed ‘Buffalo Soldiers.’ Through the insights of Park Ranger and Project Manager, Angela Stewart, another K.I.S.S. episode invited viewers to join the Paul Laurence Dunbar Sesquicentennial celebrations with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park!
Seeking to go “wherever there is a [cultural] need,” Clarence is determined not to limit his productions to spiritual content. He aims to create programs that educate, empower, and inform viewers while valuing both our spiritual and physical well-being. In addition to his work on K.I.S.S., Norton has produced many programs bringing awareness to medical conditions and social issues, empowering viewers with information and connecting families to the resources they need.
Clarence’s dedication clearly shows through his programming. He defends that “We are all spiritual people,” and is unafraid to tackle difficult topics with impacts that extend beyond the Dayton community. Norton confesses he is “just gifted” in communication and uses this skill to tribute the many people making a difference in our community. Whether in sub-control or an editing suite, the studio or out in the field, Clarence Norton has spent countless hours producing content for the DATV community. Join us in congratulating Clarence on 40 years with DATV and keep him on your radar!
Thank you for taking the time to tell us more about you and all that you do with DATV! We look forward to watching as you continue to highlight the hidden Gems within our City!
see more K.I.S.S Episodes on
DSTV Spectrum ch 992 or at datv.org
you can also visit the K.I.S.S YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/
