A look into the history of the family who created WCHB radio | One Detroit

July 8, 2026

A Destination Detroit special report examines the historical significance of WCHB and WJZZ radio stations through interviews with the founding family's descendants. The Bass family made broadcasting history by establishing WCHB-AM in Inkster as the first radio station owned and operated by African Americans, building it entirely from scratch. Family members Annette Bass and Eric Bass share stories about their relatives' pioneering achievements in radio.

Who is affected

The Bass family (specifically Annette Bass, Eric Bass, and their relatives who founded the stations)
One Detroit producer Bill Kubota
The African American community in Detroit and Inkster
Listeners of WCHB-AM and WJZZ-FM radio stations
The smooth jazz music community

What action is being taken

One Detroit producer Bill Kubota is exploring and documenting the history of WCHB and WJZZ radio
Annette Bass and Eric Bass are talking about and reflecting on their family's radio broadcasting legacy

Why it matters

This matters because WCHB-AM represents a groundbreaking achievement in African American media ownership and representation, being the first radio station built and operated entirely by African Americans. The station played a significant role in covering pivotal civil rights moments, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom, giving voice to the African American community during a crucial period in American history. Additionally, WJZZ-FM's contribution to the smooth jazz genre demonstrates the family's ongoing cultural impact beyond their initial pioneering achievement.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com