First-ever African-American-owned radio station could return to Atlanta

The Masonic Lodge on Auburn Avenue is the historic home of the first Black-owned radio station WERD and the Atlanta chapter of the National Black Radio Hall of Fame.

Atlanta’s WERD, the first radio station owned and programmed by African Americans, is set to make a comeback.

After being closed for many years, the National Black Radio Hall of Fame Atlanta Chapter is reopening WERD, which still exists at its birth location, as a historical museum. The facility will undergo renovations before opening its doors to the public.

Jesse B. Blayton Sr., an accountant and entrepreneur, purchased WERD in 1949 for $50,000. He changed the station’s format to “Black appeal” and hired his son, Jesse Jr., as station manager.