About

Some of Mina’s most important accolades include being a member of the 2024 “Marquis Who’s Who” list, a previous Gracie Award Winner, Mina received an “Honorable Mention” in the category of Non-Morning Drive, Major Market Personality in 2024. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communications, Mina was inducted in Syracuse’s WJPZ Radio Hall of Fame in March of 2024. Mina was also chosen by the Kamala Harris campaign to be a “Creator For Kamala” and her content generated over 5.4 million views for the campaign. Mina is on the Advocacy Committee for the Recording Academy’s (Grammy) Philadelphia Chapter, which she’s been a member of since 2022. 

When Mina is not working on her broadcast career, she is busy with her most important job, being #MamaMina to a very adventurous toddler. Follow Mina’s journey as a working mom and broadcaster on social media @MinaSayWhat

Full Bio

Mina “SayWhat” Llona’s career in broadcast began when she was 18-years-old. As a freshman at Syracuse University, she received her first on-air shift at her college radio station, WJPZ-FM 89.1, where she also eventually became the Vice President of Programming and had a daily afternoon shift. While in college she interned at two radio stations: WQHT-FM Hot 97 New York as a Programming Intern under Ebro Darden and WWHT-FM Hot 107.9 Syracuse as a Promotions & On-Air Intern. Mina graduated Cum Laude from Syracuse’s S.I. Newhouse School Of Public Communications with a dual major in Television, Radio, and Film/Political Science and a minor in Music Business.

One week after graduation, Mina joined SIRIUSXM as a Music Programmer working on the 80s on 8 and 70s on 7 channels. Mina was shortly elevated to Program Director for SIRIUSXM Love, the Christmas channel, Holly and other various pop up channels on the platform. She also started as a fill in on-air talent on SIRIUSXM’s Hip Hop and R&B channel, The Heat, and was the Music Director on the channel as well.  Within her first year she was given her own on-air shift broadcasting nationwide on SIRIUSXM The Heat.

Mina’s drive and talent eventually landed her a Morning Show Host position when she was 25 years old at WUSL-FM Power 99 Philly, where she woke the city of Philadelphia up for 6 years.  She also oversaw the station’s digital platforms as the Digital Manager. She helped change the scenery of Power 99 and the Philly radio landscape as the first Latin morning show host ever. At the time she was the youngest on-air personality on staff.  The show reached #1 Persons 18-34 while she was there.

Ready to continue to showcase her solo abilities, Mina returned to SIRIUSXM to take the evening talent position on The Heat Monday through Friday. She also accepted a weekend on-air position with Radio One Philadelphia on WPHI-FM 1o3.9. Eventually she was elevated at Radio One to Mid-Day Host on 100.3 WRNB- FM Philly. Mina’s show “Mina In Your Mid-days” aired Monday through Saturday 10a-3p and Mina was able to increase ratings significantly becoming #5 Women 25-54.  Mina did both shifts daily for years. After almost 6 years, Mina decided to move on from Radio One Philadelphia. She remains hosting her SIRIUSXM The Heat show titled “Mina’s House.”

In 2018, Philadelphia Weekly titled Mina “one of the most prominent voices in the hip hop game.”  Mina was the voice of the weather at WMIB-FM 103.5 The Beat Miami for 4 years and worked at WNBM-FM Radio 103.9 New York producing digital content for the station that was also syndicated to Cumulus Urban station websites across the country.

Mina’s need for growth eventually propelled her on-camera. As Mina Llona, she has contributed digitally on WPVI-TV 6ABC Philadelphia and contributed weekly as an Entertainment Reporter on WTXF-TV FOX 29 Philadelphia. Mina has also appeared nationwide on The Rachael Ray Show and featured on Inside Edition, Cardi B’s E! True Hollywood Story, Oxygen’s Sisterhood Of Hip Hop, VH1’s Nick Cannon Presents: Future Superstars and BET’s Hustle In BK. In 2021, Mina started writing and reporting on lifestyle and entertainment news for The Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest continuously published African American newspaper in the United States. She writes for their digital property, print and magazine. Mina has also been contributing on the Law & Crime network since 2023, offering her insight on the criminal trials of artists like Diddy, Young Thug, etc.

During her extensive career, Mina has had the privilege of interviewing some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, sports and politics. Mina is very versatile and can easily speak to entertainers, athletes and politicians.  She has interviewed Kamala Harris, Kanye West, Cardi B, Mariah Carey, Joe Biden, Nas, Kobe Bryant, Usher, J. Cole, Stevie Wonder, Mark Wahlberg, Megan Thee Stallion, Cory Booker, Rasheed Wallace, Nick Cannon, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, Boyz II Men, Jason Derulo, Hilary Clinton, Allen Iverson, Kevin Hart, LL Cool J, Dameson Idris, Lil Nas X, Rev Run from Run DMC, Jamie Foxx, 50 Cent, Michael B. Jordan – just to name a few!

As a brand ambassador and social influencer, Mina has represented companies such as Pepsi, Aquafina, Kicks USA/Snipes, Gift Of Life Organ Donation, McDonald’s, Ideal Image Laser Hair Removal, Mattress Firm and Citizen Bank.  She is also an event host and public speaker. She has hosted events for Footlocker, The Jordan Brand, National Kidney Foundation, The Philadelphia 76ers, Live Nation, etc. Mina has also spoken at her alma mater Syracuse University, Temple University, Delaware State University, Villanova University and University Of Pennsylvania to name a few. Mina has moderated countless panels including a Girl Scouts Of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Girl Convention panel, a panel on music’s role in politics for the Hilary Clinton campaign and a Roots Picnic Con panel on the evolution of music.

Mina has always had a passion for music, sports, and dance. She loves to learn and is very inquisitive. Mina’s father passed away when she was young, which left her mother to raise her as a single mom in Union City, New Jersey.  She still thrived, graduating Salutatorian from her high school. She played basketball, volleyball and softball and was the Vice President of Student Council. Her excellence in and out of class helped her secure a full academic scholarship to Syracuse University. Mina was an ambassador for the Philadelphia 76ers sponsored “La Liga Del Barrio” kids basketball league for 5 years and also founded, managed and coached an all female dance team, “Mina’s Dance Squad,” for 6 years.

In addition to all her roles, Mina is also a proud member of Syracuse University’s WJPZ Alumni Association and was inducted into their Radio Hall Of Fame in 2024. She served on the Association Board for 1 year as a Youth Ambassador and continues to visit the campus yearly to host events, participate in panels and speak to students with interest in media and music.

Keep up with everything happening in #MinasHouse Follow @MinaSayWhat on Instagram, X, Tik Tok, Facebook! Visit MinaLlona.com for more of her professional TV work.