50 years ago, WGPR-TV made history and the station’s legacy is still worthy of study today

50yearsago,WGPR-TVmadehistoryandthestation’slegacyisstillworthyofstudytoday Fiftyyearsago,WGPR-TVmadehistoryasthefirstBlack-ownedandBlack-operatedTVstationinthecontinentalU.S.Today,throughamuseumandstoriestoldbyWGPRalums,thelegacyliveson. Hisnameconjuresupvisionsofcurrency.AndwhenthelateDr.WilliamV.BankspurchasedWGPR-TV,heandtheInternationalFreeandAcceptedModernMasons—thefraternalorganizationBanksfounded—neededtoraiseabout$2.7milliontoacquireandequipthestationforbroadcastingtoaDetroitaudience. ButthosewhoknewBanks(May6,1903-Aug.24,1985)willsayhispurchaseofWGPR-TV—thefirstBlack-owned,Black-operatedtelevisionstationinthecontinentalUnitedStates—representedaformofBlackempowermentthatwasmorevaluablethananythingthatmoneycouldbuy.     “WhenpeopleaskifthereisaneedforBlack-ownedmedia,theanswerisyes,becausethereisnowaysomeonecantellourstorieslikewecan,”formerWGPR-TV62programdirec