A look into the history of the family who created WCHB radio

Jul 8, 2026

In a special Destination Detroit report, One Detroit producer Bill Kubota explores the history of WCHB and WJZZ radio with members of the family who founded the stations. Annette Bass and her brother-in-law Eric Bass talk about how his grandfather, father and uncle made history when they built the Inkster-based WCHB-AM radio from the ground up — a first for an African American owned and operated radio station. Annette and Eric reflect on the family’s arrival in Detroit, WCHB’s coverage of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom, and WJZZ-FM radio’s impact on the smooth jazz genre. 

Stay Connected

Subscribe to Detroit PBS YouTube Channel & Don’t miss American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit PBS, WTVS-Channel 56.

Catch the daily conversations on our website, FacebookTwitter, and Instagram @amblackjournal.

 

View Past Episodes

Support Provided By:

Subscribe to American Black Journal

 


Article Topics

American Black Journal

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*

Support Provided By

Cynthia & Edsel Ford
Fund for Journalism at Detroit PBS

 


And Support From Viewers Like You. Thank you.