Art Gilliam: pioneering voice in broadcasting

Discover the legacy of Art Gilliam, a visionary Memphis media trailblazer whose dedication to journalism, local ownership, and community advocacy opened doors and amplified voices across the South.

Breaking barriers in journalism

Born on March 6, 1943, in Nashville and raised in Memphis, Art Gilliam showed academic brilliance early, entering Yale University at just 16 to study economics before earning his MBA from the University of Michigan. In 1968, he made history in Memphis as the first African American columnist for The Commercial Appeal and the city's first Black television news reporter and weekend anchor at WMC-TV, paving the way for generations of Black journalists before serving in Washington, D.C. alongside Congressman Harold Ford Sr.

A landmark in Black ownership

Gilliam’s most transformative contribution came in 1977 when he purchased WLOK Radio. This historic milestone established WLOK as the first Black-owned radio station in Memphis and the very first locally owned station in the city. Gilliam intentionally reshaped the station into a vital community-centered heartbeat, championing the cultural, spiritual, and civic interests of Memphis's African American community.

Enduring legacy of empowerment

Across multiple decades, Gilliam harnessed the power of the airwaves to elevate Black history, education, gospel music, and active civic involvement. His distinguished contributions were celebrated with his induction into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2023. Art Gilliam stands as a lasting inspiration—a media pioneer who showed how communication platforms can build bridges, preserve history, and empower an entire community.