American Black Journal producer Daphne Hughes received WGPR Historical Society’s “Enduring Legacy Award” along with eight others on Oct. 4. The awards were presented during the 50th anniversary celebration for the former WGPR-TV 62. The Detroit station became the nation’s first Black-owned and operated television station when it began broadcasting on September 29, 1975. 

Most of the Enduring Legacy honorees held positions at WGPR-TV 62 and were recognized for “advancing the mission of America’s first Black-owned and operated television station and for preserving its history for future generations.”  

During her time at the station, Hughes produced the evening newscast, “Big City News.” Other award recipients were Jerry Blocker (posthumously), Jobai Burke, James Jackson, Greta Marshall, Gerald McBride, Doug Morison, Nat Morris, and Tim Rochon. 

In addition to the Enduring Legacy Awards presentation, the evening included a keynote address by former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas and a special recognition and award for WGPR-TV 62 alum David Roberts who is currently Executive Vice President of Sports News & Entertainment at ESPN. 

WGPR-TV 62 was sold to CBS in 1995. The original building was later designated as a Michigan and National Historic Landmark. In 2017, the site reopened as the William V. Banks Broadcast Museum named after WGPR’s late founder. 

During a recent episode of American Black Journal, host Stephen Henderson sat down with WGPR Historical Society President Joe Spencer and the organization’s Vice President & Treasurer Doug Morison to talk about the history of the station and how it provided career opportunities for African Americans interested in the broadcast industry.  

An article in the Detroit Free Press also featured the 50th anniversary celebration and showed how the station’s legacy lives on.