David Linton, Program Director of WCLK 91.9, Clark Atlanta University’s jazz station, is a 2023 National Black Radio Hall of Fame (NBRHOF) inductee. Linton is set to receive the Broadcaster’s Chairman Leadership Award, the NBRHOF’s highest honor.
His 40-year broadcasting career spans multiple leadership roles, including General Manager of WSHA, Shaw University’s FM Radio station, Founder of WRVS-FM, Elizabeth City State University’s radio station, National Director of Promotion at Warner Brothers’ R&B division Reprise Records, Vice President of R&B/Marketing at Polygram/Island Records, Vice President of R&B Promotions at Arista Records, Sr. Vice President of Promotions and Marketing, Black Music at Capitol Records.
“David Linton’s trailblazing background in music and media is worthy of recognition,” said Wendy Williams, General Manager, WCLK. He has led WCLK to record ratings and enhanced our national profile during his tenure. The Black Radio Hall of Fame’s recognition of his success is well warranted.”
In addition to his work for WCLK, Mr. Linton is also Chairman of the Living Legends Foundation and was named among Georgia’s 500 Most Influential Leaders in Media of 2022 by Georgia Trend Magazine. He was also responsible for selling over 90 million units by artists such as Whitney Houston, Prince, Diddy, TLC, Usher, Outkast, Aretha Franklin, and Salt-n-Pepa as a music executive.
“I have been blessed to have a wonderful career in both radio and records (Music), but those who really know me know radio has always been my first love,” said Linton. “I’m humbled to be selected for induction into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame with my colleagues and mentors. It really doesn’t get much better than this. I’m especially honored to receive the Broadcast Chairman’s Award for leadership. For once, I’m truly speechless.”
The induction ceremony, titled “Evening To Remember,” will take place on October 7, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Inductees’ names will be placed in the Harris Stowe State University Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, where the National Black Radio Hall of Fame is headquartered.
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About The National Black Radio Hall of Fame
The National Black Radio Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization established to provide a place where people of all ages are able to learn about the history and achievements of Black Radio Nationally.
The need to establish the National Black Radio Hall of Fame resulted from the underrepresentation of the many contributions and accolades by personalities that played a premiere and essential part in the shaping of the history of National radio. The goal of the organization is to recognize and commemorate these personalities often overlooked by national institutions.
About Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University was formed with the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, both of which hold unique places in the annals of African American history. Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, established four years later in 1869, was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with nearly 4,000 students, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. It is also the largest of the 37-member UNCF institutions. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson, American civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing, “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank
Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit www.cau.edu.
About Jazz 91.9 WCLK
Jazz 91.9 WCLK is a professional public radio station licensed to Clark Atlanta University. Jazz 91.9 WCLK is dedicated to developing and providing high-quality multimedia and broadcast programs that uplift, educate, and inform the Atlanta community and worldwide audience. Jazz 91.9 is dedicated to increasing the awareness of the significance of jazz music as an American art form and guiding and training students in all aspects of broadcast and public media services. It is also the home of the Jazz Music Awards.