Dr. Wendell Cox, co-owner of first black-owned radio station, dies at 92

Dr. Wendell Cox, co-owner of first black-owned radio station, dies at 92

By Joe Rossiter
Detroit Free Press
(September 27, 2007) Dr. Wendell F. Cox, a dentist and civic-minded entrepreneur, was admired by friends and colleagues for his staunch integrity as well as his business acumen.

Dr. Cox, who co-owned WCHB-AM, the nation's first black-owned and -operated radio station, died of colon cancer Sept. 19 at his home in Detroit. He was 92.

"His success in life was due to impeccable character and an extraordinary amount of tenacity and diligence," said Terry Arnold, former president and chief executive officer of Bell Broadcasting Co., which Dr. Cox also co-owned.

"He never compromised himself for the almighty dollar, and his decisions were firmly based on the fact that it was the right thing to do."

Born in Albany, Ga., to parents who were teachers, he graduated from Talladega College in Alabama with a biology degree in 1936 and earned his medical degree in 1944 from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn.

That's where he met his wife, Iris Bell. They married in 1944 before Dr. Cox went off to serve with the Army in Burma and India during World War II.

After being discharged as a captain in 1945, he began his dental practice in the Detroit office of his father-in-law, Dr. Haley Bell, whose dream was to own and operate a radio station serving Detroit's black community.

The two became business partners and created Bell Broadcasting Co.

In November 1956, they launched WCHB-AM, a rhythm and blues, soul and gospel station located in Romulus and licensed to broadcast in Inkster.

The station call letters came from the initials of its two founders. Several years later, they started WCHD-FM, a jazz station in Detroit that later became WJZZ-FM.

Dr. Cox retired from his dental practice in 1973 to devote more time to his duties as general manager and chairman of the board of Bell Broadcasting. The company was eventually sold to Radio One in 1998.

A longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Meharry Medical College, Dr. Cox donated $1.5 million to the school in 1998.

Survivors include his son, Dr. Wendell Cox; two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

[A memorial service was set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 600 E. Warren Ave., Detroit.]

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