KBBG-FM 88.1

Our motto "Communicate to Educate" continues to be our reason for existing, and to provide the opportunity for AfricanAmericans to receive skills and on-the-job training, which leads to jobs in the broadcast industry. Radio and television stations now employ over 20 former KBBG-FM 88.1 employees across the country. KBBG-FM 88.1's main objective is to offer quality educational information concerning the many social ills affecting AfricanAmerican and other impoverished communities.

KBBG-FM 88.1 is a subsidiary of AfroAmerican Community Broadcasting Inc., which was established in 1977. The station is the largest African-American owned and operated non-commercial, educational, community radio station in the state of Iowa, with a broadcast power of 10,000 watts. KBBG-FM 88.1 educates through its public affairs programming and, more directly, through the Minority Communications Training Institute. In March of 1977 Jimmie Porter stated "radio for the Black community was an idea whose time had come." With this in mind, Porter founded KBBG-FM 88.1 as AFROAMERICAN COMMUNITY BROADCASTING, INC. This station was incorporated to fulfill the needs, interests, and wishes of ethnic minority people. Porter felt KBBG-FM 88.1 would help teach about Black culture and lifestyles which had not been accurately represented in the media. With this motivation in mind, KBBG-FM 88.1 conducted its first equipment test of 10 watts of power on July 26, 1978. This allowed KBBG-FM 88.1 to transmit programming within a 4-5 mile radius. By August of that same year, the late Cuba Treadwell, Sr. cut the ribbon that signified the first full day of broadcasting for KBBG-FM 88.1. With continued motivation, not being satisfied with low wattage and transmission in mono, KBBG-FM 88.1 took a step forward. In 1980 KBBG-FM 88.1 purchased over $100,000 in new equipment, offering a whole new broadcast light. With this new equipment, the station could now transmit within a 45-50 mile radius, allowing KBBG-FM 88.1 to reach a greater audience. On December 27, 1980, KBBG-FM 88.1 moved from 10 watts to10, 000 watts of power. Today KBBG-FM 88.1 is a station on the move. KBBG-FM 88.1 has been the training ground for a number of Waterloo residents who went on to successful careers in broadcasting at such varied locations as KBBG-FM 88.1; KMTV- Omaha, NB;CBS - New York NY; American Urban Radio Network (SBN) - Pittsburgh, PA; KXEL Radio - Waterloo, IA and WTAR - Norfolk VA, among others. KBBG-FM 88.1 stands as proof of what can be accomplished with community support. When we began broadcasting in 1978, we had a five mile radius, 10 watts of power and a staff of volunteers. Today we have a 60 mile radius, 10,000 watts of power and 11 employees. KGGB is the largest African - American owned and operated non-commercial education radio station in Iowa. Governed by a board of directors, KBBG-FM 88.1 is an affiliate of the American Urban Radio Network (SBN), the largest AfricanAmerican radio news network in the United States We are also a member supported station of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Washington, D.C. KBBG-FM 88.1 enriches lives of our listening audience by promoting community harmony, diversity and inter-cultural awareness. We have been educating, informing and entertaining our listeners for over 25 years through our culturally diverse - yet culturally specific broadcast programming. Since 1988, KBBG-FM 88.1 has provided over $5,467,000 in Public Service Announcements to non-profit organizations.