Herman Arthur “Art” Gilliam, has been a man of many Memphis “firsts”.

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After receiving degrees from Yale and Michigan, Art returned to Memphis to become the first African American to write for The Commercial Appeal. He became the first African American On-Air reporter and anchor on Memphis television at WMC-TV. In 1977, under the guidance of Rev. Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, a Memphian and first African American on the Federal Communications Commission, Art Gilliam became the first African American in Memphis, the state of Tennessee and the entire southeast, to own a radio station when he purchased WLOK AM-1340.

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For 49 years, Art, as Chairman of the board, and President of Gilliam Communications Inc. and WLOK AM/FM, has entertained, informed and engaged the Memphis community. WLOK’s annual signature event, the Stone Soul Picnic, was formerly Memphis’ biggest single-day event, attracting well over 100,000 people. Currently, the Stone Soul Picnic weekend has been enhanced and expanded, and still attracts thousands of loyal, loving fans.