Rivertown - Warehouse District in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
WGPR-TV
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021
1. WGPR-TV Marker
Inscription.
WGPR-TV. . 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.
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.
Erected 2015 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S0738.)
is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in the Rivertown - Warehouse District. Marker is at the intersection of East Jefferson Avenue and McDougall Street, on the right when traveling east on East Jefferson Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3146 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit MI 48207, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Whatever its popularity among blacks in the television industry, WGPR-TV failed to attract a large audience outside the African American community. Even within that community, it competed with larger stations that after 1975 offered more programs directed toward African Americans.
(Submitted on May 4, 2021.)
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 3, 2021
2. WGPR-TV Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 449 times since then and 38 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 26, 2021. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
