In a historic move, Sheila Brown has bas become the first African-American woman to own a radio station in Western New York.
As the proud owner of WUFO Radio and president of Vision Multimedia Group, which oversees WUFO Radio 96.5 FM and 1080 AM, Brown’s journey to the top is a testament to perseverance and vision.
Brown’s story began over three decades ago when she joined the station in 1986 as a commission-only salesperson.
Little did she know then that she would one day return to claim ownership.
“In October 1998, I said, ‘You know what? My time is up.’ When I left, I turned to the station and said, ‘Don’t worry baby, I’m going to come back and buy you,'” Brown reminisced during an interview with WGRZ.
True to her word, Brown realized her dream of ownership in 2013 when she acquired WUFO Radio.
Situated on Broadway in the heart of Buffalo’s African American Heritage Corridor, the station stands as a beacon of cultural significance, located next door to the famed Colored Musicians Club.
WUFO Radio boasts a rich history, with legendary deejays like Frankie Crocker and Eddie O’Jay launching their careers there.
“He was a deejay at WUFO, and he had a group of friends that knew how to sing really well,” Brown shared. “So when they got here, they didn’t have a name. He said, ‘We’re going to name you the O’Jays,’ so the famous O’Jays that everyone knows across the country came from our deejay at WUFO.”
To preserve this legacy, the station features a museum showcasing its storied past, inviting visitors to explore its cultural contributions.
As a trailblazing female owner, Brown offers sage advice to aspiring entrepreneurs:
“If you’ve got it burning in your heart that you know it’s a dream, that it keeps aching at your heart, go for it, and then keep quiet, you don’t have to share it with everybody.”
In addition to her achievements in Buffalo, Brown expanded her radio empire by acquiring WIGO Pacesetter 1570-AM in Atlanta.
Her remarkable contributions to the broadcasting industry earned her a spot in the prestigious Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Sheila Brown’s groundbreaking journey serves as an inspiration, proving that with determination and dedication, dreams can indeed become reality.
