Linda Broadous Miles – Executive Director at Bill Duke Media Foundation
Linda Broadous Miles aka Linda Miles, is one of the “Jewels of the Southbay.” Born to a Baptist preacher, Linda was raised in Compton, California with her parents and three siblings. Singing in the church her father pastored in Los Angeles is where Linda began to develop her powerful vocal stylings.
Linda attended and graduated from California State University at Northridge, in the 70’s with a major in Broadcasting – Specializing in Radio, Television and Film Production. Soonafater she started her career by hosting three radio talk shows on Radio Station’s KCSN and KPFK.
In the early eighties Linda joined “The Living Disciples” gospel group, founded by Philip Bailey, Lead Singer of Earth Wind and Fire. The group toured Southern California and was the opening act for Grammy Nominee Deniece Williams and Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo, also, in the eighties Linda began to hone her acting skills. She played the lead in the original video productions, “Ten Cents A Drink” and “Crushed Dreams” in 1986, and later played minor roles in the video productions, “I See Santa” and “The Visitor.” In 1987 Linda joined the touring company of the hit stage musical “The Gospel Truth”, and starred opposite Songstress Jennifer Holiday, Tramaine Hawkins (of the Hawkins Family Gospel group), and Actor Johnnie Brown. Linda has also sung background vocals for Natalie Cole, Patrice Rushen, Kirk Whalum, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Deniece Williams, Doc Powell, Zapp! and The Watts 103rd Street Band. . In the early nineties Linda began writing and producing her own independent films. In 1992 she garnered several awards which included “The Best Drama Award” from Compton Community Television and a “Programming Excellence Award in Drama” from the South Bay Producers Guild, for her original short film “The Love Affair”. In 1993 her original short film “On the Road Again” won her three awards which included, “Best Overall Production Award,” from Gardena Community Television, “Programming Excellence Award” from the South Bay Producers Guild and the “Best Innovative Producer Award” from Compton Community Television.
In 1995 Linda formed her own gospel band, “The Linda Miles Ensemble.” The group became a gospel favorite at Twin Palms Restaurant in Pasadena and Newport Beach, where she performed as a regular for over six years.
From 1987 to now Linda has served as Minister of Music/Choir Director of several churches including Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Crossroads United Methodist Church, St. John’s United Methodist Church and Crenshaw United Methodist Church. In addition, she served ten years as Minister of Music at Grace Temple Baptist Church her home church in Los Angeles. In 1996 Linda produced her first gospel album “His Love” with the Our Lady of Victory Gospel Choir in Compton, California. In 2005 Linda produced her first independent film “Ain’t God Good”. Since that time Linda has worked on several films as Associate Producer and Script Supervisor. She will be producing her first documentary in the Summer of 2022. In 2008, under the management and guidance of Francis Gavin, Linda released her first solo cyber blues CD entitled ‘LINDA MILES’ – “HOME COOKIN’ “ She currently performs gospel, blues and jazz throughout Southern California with her brother’s band, The Greg Broadous Band. In November 2013, Linda recorded an original music single entitled “Take Me Cruisin’ – Los Angeles”, and an accompanying music video, both on YouTube, iTunes and CD Baby.
Linda’s career also includes a 20 year history as Executive Director of the Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center in South Los Angeles. The Wooten Center provides a safe haven for youth ages 8 thru 18. Linda was instrumental in building the center that today provides afterschool services for youth such as college preparatory classes, computer classes, reading and math tutoring, gang intervention classes, and sports and recreation classes.
In 2012, Linda became Executive Director of the Duke Media Foundation, founded by actor, producer Bill Duke. She has spearheaded the foundation to this day and is instrumental in helping to teach over 100 students the basics of filmmaking and expose them to the many careers in the world of media technology.
Linda also currently serves on the Board of Directors of We Reach Media Arts & Tech Center, a non-profit youth center catering to at risk youth ages 8 thru 24 in underserved communities.