Today, the Living Legends Foundation pays tribute to the Black radio station owners who helped define & elevate the culture. This is part 3 of 6.
Bishop Levi Edgar Willis Sr. stood among those trailblazers. As head of Willis Broadcasting, he built what became the largest Black-owned radio network in the United States. His purchase of WOWI-FM and WPCE-AM made him the first Black man to own and operate a radio station in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region.
At its height, Willis Broadcasting encompassed more than 22 radio stations stretching from Virginia to Arkansas and Pennsylvania. Known widely as “The Crusader,” Willis hosted the influential call-in program Crusader for Christ, the spiritual heartbeat of his gospel-formatted network. In 1974, the company’s acquisition of WWOC-AM and WOWI (102.9 FM) positioned it as the first Black-owned stations in direct competition with white-owned WRAP.
Another formidable figure in media ownership was Willie Davis, the legendary Green Bay Packers defensive end who successfully transitioned from professional football to broadcasting and business. In 1976, Davis founded All Pro Broadcasting, beginning with the purchase of KACE-FM (103.9) in Inglewood, California.
He steadily expanded beyond California into markets including Milwaukee — where he owned WLUM-FM and WMCS-AM — as well as Houston and Seattle. Following his passing in 2020, All Pro Broadcasting remained family-held and continues to operate in Southern California’s Inland Empire, including KHTI-FM (Hot 103.9) serving Riverside and San Bernardino, and KATY-FM serving the Temecula/Menifee area.
Beyond broadcasting, Davis also built Willie Davis Distributing, a highly successful beer and wine distributorship he operated for more than 27 years, demonstrating that Black ownership in media could extend into broader business leadership.
Founded in 1986, Davis Broadcasting Inc. (DBI) stands as one of the longest-running 100% minority-owned media companies in the country. Established by Greg Davis, the Columbus, Georgia-based company has grown into a major presence in both Columbus and Atlanta.
Its holdings include WFXE (Foxie 105) in Columbus, and in Atlanta: WJZA (Smooth Jazz), WCHK (La Mega 96.5/105.1), and WLKQ. DBI has consistently emphasized community service, hosting initiatives such as a children’s Christmas party for families in need and the Davis Family Day Music Festival — reinforcing its role not just as a broadcaster, but as a civic partner.
Jim Snowden began his career on air in 1974 at WELM in Elmira, New York, hosting The Dr. Soul Show. After three years at KHYS in Houston — then owned by Clear Channel — he moved into management. With financial backing from the company, Snowden acquired WYLD AM/FM in New Orleans and built Snowden Broadcasting into a powerful regional force.
By 1994, Snowden Broadcasting was on track to become the third-largest radio group owned by a person of color in the United States. In a surprising and complex decision, however, Snowden chose to dissolve the company — closing a significant chapter in the evolving landscape of Black media consolidation.
Civil rights activist and political leader Charles Evers, brother of the late Medgar Evers, also left a lasting imprint on Black radio ownership. In 1987, Charles Evers became general manager of WMPR in Jackson, Mississippi, eventually assuming ownership and operating the station under the J.C. Maxwell Broadcasting Group.
His long-running talk show, Let’s Talk, aired for more than 40 years until his death in 2020. Today, ownership and leadership remain in the family, with his daughter Wanda Evers continuing the legacy.
Together, these stories reflect more than business success. They represent determination in the face of structural barriers, a commitment to serving Black
audiences, and the creation of generational wealth and leadership in American media.
These leaders carved out platforms that amplified Black voices & built institutions designed to endure.
If you have memories of these leaders, please add them in the comments.
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