Tavis Smiley is set to launch KBLA Talk 1580 on June 19, Juneteenth, dubbed the first âUnapologetically Progressiveâ Black-owned and operated, talk radio station in Southern California.
We previously reported, not only is Smiley acquiring an entire broadcasting station, but a multidimensional one at that, that has room for the continued expansion on the agenda of diversity. The facility, with a total of 10 towers for day and nighttime powers respectively, is best known for being the home of Los Angelesâ pioneering hip-hop station, KDAY, in the 1980s. Its signal reaches the entire L.A. basin and much of coastal San Diego.
Starting this Saturday, June 19, to commemorate Juneteenth, it will convert from Spanish-language programming to presumably serve as a talk radio station catering to the Black community â relating to the prominent display of the historic Watts Towers in its logo. However, the word âprogressiveâ suggests Smiley has bigger sights than just African Americans and the bill keeps rolling!