First African American Owned TV Station in continental U.S. - Detroit, MI
N 42° 20.429 W 083° 01.021
17T E 333845 N 4689551
The first wholly African American-owned television station in the United States, and was marketed towards Detroit's urban audience. It began broadcasting September 29, 1975.
Waymark Code: WM15HQ8
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 01/08/2022
Views: 1
From the State of Michigan Historical Marker at the site:
In 1973, the Federal Communications Commission granted the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons, led by Dr. William V. Banks (1903-1985), a permit to operate UHF television Channel 62 in Detroit. WGPR-TV debuted a few seconds before noon on September 29, 1975, becoming the first African-American owned and operated television station in the continental United States. The station provided job training and employment opportunities for African-Americans in television production, broadcast journalism and sales. Programming, most of which was locally produced, was crafted for an urban black audience. Popular shows included The Scene, Big City News and Gospel Time. In 1979, WGPR-TV began providing programs, such as The Arab Voice in Detroit, for the city’s minority ethnic communities.
FIRST - Classification Variable: Item or Event
Date of FIRST: 09/29/1975
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.
Recent Visits/Logs:
| There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|