Longtime Broadcaster Fights to Save WJNZ Radio
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, supporters are rallying behind veteran broadcaster Robert S. Womack in his effort to prevent the sale of WJNZ Radio, 1140 AM, a station he has served for many years. The station, which caters predominantly to the local Black community, entered receivership earlier this year after its owner defaulted on loans. Despite Womack’s attempts, alongside other investors, to purchase the station, their bid was ultimately outmatched by Holy Family Radio, a Christian programming entity based in Lowell.
Womack alleges that the bidding process was biased and conducted unfairly, which he argues jeopardizes the station’s legacy as a vital voice for the Black community. He estimates that WJNZ Radio serves between 50,000 and 70,000 listeners, emphasizing its importance in Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in Michigan and the 39th largest media market in the nation. “This is the only Black-supported station in the area,” noted Mark Covington, a 49-year-old longtime listener who recently visited the station’s studio, a modest setup housed in a converted home on Eastern Avenue SE.
Community Mobilizes to Support Womack
Demonstrating their commitment to WJNZ, supporters have purchased 100 T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “I’m the pulse of the city 1140 AM,” with another 200 shirts on order. The community plans to don these shirts during a rally at Rosa Parks Circle at 10 a.m. on Friday before marching to the Kent County Courthouse. At the courthouse, Womack’s legal team will petition for an injunction to halt the station’s impending sale, which is scheduled to be finalized the same day.
Womack has expressed frustration with the events leading to the sale. In July 2008, he and a group of investors entered a lease-management agreement with the station’s owner, Michael St. Cyr, agreeing to purchase the station for $300,000. Womack maintains that they consistently met their $10,000 monthly payment obligations. However, after St. Cyr defaulted on a loan involving Huntington Bank, the station became collateral and was placed under receivership. Womack was asked to continue running the station and managing its expenses using revenue it generated.
Receiver and Disputes Over the Sale
Daniel Yeoman, the court-appointed receiver from Amicus Management, Inc., praised Womack for his professionalism and dedication during the receivership period, describing the collaboration as “refreshing.” However, Yeoman refutes Womack’s claims of an unfair bidding process, stating, “All parties consented to the sale bid process where all parties could bid and rebid.” According to Womack, the bank initially accepted his group’s offer of $250,500, only to later reopen the bidding. In the final round, Holy Family Radio’s $310,000 bid narrowly surpassed Womack’s raised bid of $300,000.
Other Bidders and Future Plans
Gospel singer Marvin Sapp and his wife, MaLinda, were among those who also placed bids for WJNZ, though they were unavailable for comment. The purchase by Holy Family Radio includes the broadcasting license, as well as transmitters and transformers situated on 41 acres in Ada Township. Dan Grady, treasurer for the Lowell-based nonprofit, stated that the organization’s mission is to “broadcast the knowledge, love, and practice of the Roman Catholic faith to the West Michigan community.”
Womack remains determined to fight for the station, vowing to petition the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block the transfer on grounds of discriminatory practices during the bidding process. “We will not give up,” he said. “This station represents more than just radio; it’s a cornerstone for our community.”
