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Recognizing Wjbe As A Knoxville Media Cornerstone

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 24, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History

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Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month, as we all know. Today, I rise to recognize WJBE, Knoxville's only Black-owned radio station and a media cornerstone in our community.

WJBE was originally founded by the godfather of soul, James Brown, and WJBE actually stood for, back then, James Brown Enterprises. It was reorganized in 2013, thanks to the efforts of my good friend and former colleague in the Tennessee General Assembly, Joe Armstrong, along with his partner and station manager, Gene Thomas, Jr.

WJBE has grown into a unique home for Knoxville's Black voices. On WJBE, musicians showcase their talents, business owners promote their services, and public officials share how the latest policies impact the people they represent, and that is me included.

Thanks to this station, the successes and stories of the local Black community are heard year-round, not just during Black History Month.

WJBE is an invaluable part of east Tennessee's culture, Mr. Speaker, and I am proud to share the station's story here on the floor of the House of Representatives.

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