Ragan Henry Dies at 74

African-American entrepreneur, TV - radio station owner, and lawyer succumbs to a long illness. He maintained a modest public profile, and when he died July 26, his passing went unannounced, just as he wanted.

Ragan Henry was a Harvard-educated lawyer who became a radio and TV station owner, civic leader and mentor to other media executives while finding time to give back to the community.

Ragan Henry was the first African American to own a network-affiliated TV station (WHEC in Rochester, N.Y.). He also owned WAOK in Atlanta and WWDB in Philadelphia, a talk radio station, programmed to a majority white audience, along with other stations around the country.

In 1972 he became a minority owner in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network based out of Pittsburgh. Now known as AUN - American Urban Network.

Black Enterprise Magazine said that by 1990, Mr. Henry owned more than 60 stations nationwide. Read more>>