Preserving the Legacy of HBCU Radio Stations

The HBCU Radio Preservation Project

In the 1960s and 1970s, Black students demanded a voice on radio, leading to the launch of radio stations at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). These stations not only provided a platform for students to share their experiences but also served as a vital resource for the surrounding community. However, with the changing media landscape, many of these stations have ceased operations or are struggling to stay afloat.

Preserving the Archives

The HBCU Radio Preservation Project was established to ensure that the archives of these radio stations are preserved for future generations. The project, led by Jocelyn Robinson, surveys HBCU radio stations to identify their collections and provides training on audio-visual preservation. So far, the project has digitized over 1,125 hours of archival audio and visited nearly two dozen HBCU campuses.

The Impact of the Project

The project not only preserves the history of HBCU radio stations but also provides a platform for storytelling and cultural expression. The project's oral history component has captured the experiences of over 90 individuals, providing a unique insight into the emergence of Black radio on HBCU campuses. The project's partnership with the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University makes these oral histories accessible to a wide audience.

Returning the History

After digitizing the archives, the project returns the materials to the institutions, along with a plaque acknowledging their investment in preserving their legacy. For example, Shaw University's radio station, WSHA, had 46 digitized episodes of its weekly talk show, 'Traces of Faces and Places,' returned to the institution.