Today, the Living Legends Foundation celebrates Kansas City, paying tribute to the Black radio stations that helped define and elevate the culture.
In Kansas City, KPRS rose from a vision planted in 1950 by Andrew & Mildred Carter, a vision that still lives in family hands today. 76 years later, it stands as the oldest Black-owned & operated radio station west of the Mississippi.
Its call letters, KPRS, were chosen with intention: the People’s Radio Station. Beginning as a modest 500-watt daytime signal at 1590 AM, the station carried R&B, soul, news, and talk. In 1971, the music climbed higher on the dial to 103.3 FM, transforming into KPRS Hot 103 JAMZ while 1590 AM became KPRT, devoted to gospel.
Today, Carter Broadcast Group is led by Mike Carter, grandson of the founders, who first touched the airwaves as an 8-year-old DJ spinning jazz records. Reflecting on the station’s deeper purpose, Carter recalls, “The station pushed for peace and calm when riots broke out in Kansas City, & was always a place where Black leaders’ messages could be heard.”
KPRS remains a family affair. Mike’s cousin Rod Williams serves as Vice President. Rod’s mother, Prim Carter, once guided the station as General Manager. Mike’s son Robinson Carter shapes Marketing & Promotions, while Mike Carter Jr. leads the Street Team. Through the years, a chorus of voices has filled its airwaves: Chris King, Freddie Bell, Julee Jonez, Tommy Marshall, Tony G, BJ Murphy, Dyan Deveraux, Sonny Andre, Sean Tyler, Myron Gigger, and Myron D (Fears). PDs include Sam Weaver, Dell Rice, Bobby Wonder, Andre Carson & current PD Myron Fears helped steer its sound, with Tony Gray lending his guidance as consultant. More than music, Carter Broadcast Group became known for community-centered programming like Voices from Midtown. Today’s voices include Brian B. Shynin’ & Deona Hustle of the Hustle & Shyne Morning Show, Julee Jonez, and DJ Chris Playmaker Stimpson. In the 1990s, with Kansas City’s Black population at just 12.8%, KPRS still rose to become the city’s #1 station. Today, it continues to rank among the Top 10. #VoiceOfThePeople #BlackHistory #LivingLegends #BlackRadio #BlackHistoryMonth