Jesse Champion
Jesse Champion (born 1927 in Birmingham - died November 2, 2007 in Birmingham) was a pioneering African-American radio announcer, teacher and jazz vocalist. He was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997.
Champion grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Industrial High School in 1945 and earned his bachelor degree from Alabama A&M University where he was also a charter member of that campus' chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He went on to do graduate work in English and speech therapy at the Universities of Notre Dame and Michigan.
Champion was on of the first black news announcers on Birmingham radio, broadcasting at WJLD-AM from 1954 to 1963. He was recruited into radio by general manager Otis Dodge who heard him singing with his "Jazz Workshop" at the Gaston Motel. Champion delivered news reports and also hosted late night dance music programs.
In 1963 Champion interfered when a group of white youth grabbed up one of his students. Birmingham Police arrested him for "inciting to riot" and he was forced to resign his faculty position. Told to leave the city by Bull Connor, Champion relocated to Michigan to teach at a junior college. He returned to Birmingham in 1970 and returned to the airwaves on WERC-AM, where he stayed until his retirement in 1990. He also reported on community affairs for WKXX-FM.
Champion also taught grade school at Councill Elementary School in Birmingham, Carver High School in Gadsden, and at Southwestern High School in Flint, Michigan. Later in life he worked as an attendant at Bushelon Funeral Home for many years.
A lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Champion was an active member of the Knights of Peter Claver and the Knights of Columbus. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Parker High School United Alumni Association. He was a featured vocalist with the Birmingham Heritage Band, leading to his induction into the Jazz Hall of Fame.
Champion died in November 2007. He was survived by three children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was interred at Elmwood Cemetery.
References
- "Jesse Champion, Sr." obituary. (November 7, 2007) Birmingham News.
- Williams, Julian (May 2005) "Black Radio and Civil Rights: Birmingham, 1956-1963." Journal of Radio Studies. Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 47-60
- History of WJLD-AM 1400 Fairfield/Birmingham at wjld1400.com
External links
- Jesse Champion profile at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame