WHCJ-FM was licensed in 1975 as a non-commercial, educational, public radio station facility under the auspices of Savannah State College and the University System of Georgia. It went on the air as a 10-watt, 88.5 FM station, under the seventh president of Savannah State College, Dr. Prince A. Jackson, Jr (1971-1978). The station’s mission was to educate its audience through selective programming, including news, public affairs, feature programs, and alternative music, including jazz, gospel, blues, and reggae.
Dr. Jackson argued before the Chancellor and the Board of Regents that the station would serve educational purposes at the college and would be operated as a laboratory to help develop the communication skills of students. President Jackson was responsible for the operating policies of the station, but a faculty member would be the operating officer. Willie E. Brown, former Savannah City Councilman and Chatham County Commissioner, served as station manager for several years during the Jackson Presidency.
As a facility located on the campus of an HBCU, WHCJ has become a primary source of cultural programming in the Savannah region. The station recognizes a special responsibility to air relevant programs that are not available from other local outlets.
Open House - Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 12 - 5 p.m.
Please join us as we host the WHCJ 50th Anniversary Open House during the week of Homecoming 2025. WHCJ 
is opening its doors to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the community for an afternoon of reconnection with old friends as we highlight the personalities and accomplishments of WHCJ over its 50-year history. Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. The registration deadline is October 3, 2025.
From the WHCJ Archives
Did you Know?
Where the WHCJ call letters originated?
WHCJ received its name from past four presidents:
W-Wright (Richard R. Wright, first president, 1891-1921)
H-Hubert (Benjamin F. Hubert, third president, 1926-1947)
C-Colston (James. A. Colston, fourth president, 1947-1949)
J-Jordan (Howard Jordan, Jr., sixth president, 1963-1971)
Who served as the station's first manager?
WHCJ’s first manager was Mr. Willie E. Brown, aka King Willie. Other station managers have included Vaughnette Goode-Walker, Carol Gordon, Theron “Ike” Carter and Grace Curry, aka Lady Grace.
How many HBCU-licensed radio stations exist in Georgia?
HBCU-licensed radio stations in Georgia include WCLK 91.9 FM (Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta, which features jazz and is part of the HBCU Radio Network, and WHCJ-FM (Savannah State University) in Savannah, known for student programming and community focus.
Who is WHCJ's longest reigning volunteer?
Hanif Shakazulu has been volunteering at WHCJ since 1983. He has a weekly Reggae program, the Black Star Liner, which airs Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 pm – 10 pm, and Saturdays from 8pm – 12 am.
What was WHCJ's frequency before it was 90.3 FM?
It was 88.5 FM.
