Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

WLOK Radio Station

Photographed by R. E. Smith, March 19, 2008

1. WLOK Radio Station Marker

Inscription. In 1977 WLOK became Memphis' first African-American owned radio station. Established on this site, Gilliam Communications' WLOK is a family-oriented format on which many of the nation's top African-American leaders have appeared. Several of the nation's leading disc jockeys starred here. WLOK's community involvement includes college scholarships and the renowned WLOK Stone Soul Picnic. The station's call letters, WLOK-AM, are "A Family Tradition."

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 135.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1977.

Location. 35° 8.146′ N, 90° 3.379′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is on South Second Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Here, on April 4, 1968 … / … Today, a Place of Remembrance (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lorraine Motel Vintage Cars (about 600 feet away); Martin Luther King, Jr. (about 600 feet away); The Lorraine Motel (about 600 feet away); Founders Park (about 700 feet away); Founders Park Banners (about 700 feet away); Welcome To The National Civil Rights Museum (about 800 feet away); The Blues Foundation (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . . WLOK Radio Station. (Submitted on November 21, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee.)

Photographed by R. E. Smith, March 19, 2008

2. WLOK Radio Station Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,918 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on November 24, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.