A Powerhouse for Cultural Relevance.
Our story began in 1963, with the debut of radio station WVON-The Voice of the Negro. It's owners were Leonard and Phil Chess, the founders of Chess Records. They were the first to assemble a radio station in Chicago specifically designed to serve the city's growing Black community. WVON created a legendary group of radio personalities known as The Good Guys who made WVON one of the top three stations in Chicago. The station became known nationwide as a powerhouse for cultural relevance and political activism.
The Legacy Continues.
Midway Broadcasting Corporation was founded more than 40 years ago by two WVON legendary radio personalities, Wesley South and Pervis Spann, who eventually acquired WVON and joined an exclusive group of minority-owned broadcasters in the country.
How We Have Evolved.
Melody Spann Cooper, the daughter of Pervis Spann, is Chairwoman and CEO of Midway Broadcasting Corporation. Under her leadership, the corporate footprint has expanded to include WRLL Radio, a community-based station designed to serve Chicago's thriving Latino community, and VON-TV, an OTT digital streaming platform.