May 23, 2017

Hattie Leeper was a trailblazer in radio, the first African-American woman DJ on Charlotte radio. For a number of people at this morning’s Forum,  “Chatty Hattie” was the soundtrack of their early lives.

In the room, appreciation for her trailblazing merged with the excitement of seeing and hearing once again that famous voice from the early days of WGIV. Hattie Leeper loved it all.

Her presentation was peppered with stories about a broadcasting business that played up its ties to the people listening. There were appeals for household goods after fire swept through a home. Leeper told stories from the “Lost and Found” call-in line, where on-air appeals would help find lost cats – but maybe not straying husbands. Leeper remembers the happy stories with gusto.

In the video below, Ms. Leeper’s presentation begins at minute 10:30 followed by accolades, testimonials and a few questions.