Honoring WDKX’s Gloria Langston

Written by Andre on May 7, 2022

It comes with great sadness to inform you that Gloria Langston, owner of WDKX and wife of the late Andrew Langston, has passed away. Born in Jamaica, Gloria moved to New York City to attend NYU. There, she met her husband Andrew. After multiple visits to Andrew’s parents to Rochester, the two inevitably moved to the flower city to begin Rochester’s WDKX. The station took six years of delays, traveling back and forth on hundreds of trips to the FCC in Washington, DC, and additional congressional hearings. WDKX was finally confirmed and began its service to the Rochester community on April 6, 1974, on FM 103.9.

Having no previous experience, Gloria was quick to join the radio scene as a storyteller. In an older interview with Rochester Women Inspire, Gloria stated: “In Jamaica, we always entertained each other with stories. It’s just a part of me.” During her time with WDKX, she had the opportunity to interview Black leaders, such as the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the first Black woman elected to congress Shirley Chisholm.

In 2012, the House of Representative Louis Slaughter honored Gloria in Rochester, stating: “Gloria Langston has an unwavering commitment to uplifting and enhancing the Rochester community, and she exudes a deep sense of community awareness and pride. These admirable characteristics are reflected in the management and staff of WDKX-FM radio.”

We send our deepest condolences to Gloria’s family and friends at this time. Gloria Langston’s legacy will continue to live on.

In Lieu of Flowers

Thank you for your condolences and prayers, in Lieu of Flowers the family prefers donations to be made in Gloria Langston’s honor to ALCEE The Andrew Langston Center for Educational Excellence a 501(c)(3). Thank you.

Donate Here

My Memories of Mrs. Gloria Langston by Ella Dean

I’ve known Mrs. Langston since I was 16. That’s when I started working at WDKX Radio as an intern. I didn’t work with her often, but would often type letters for her or do filing. I knew I had to be on point whenever I worked on something for her. She was my boss then, but it wasn’t until I or year or two before I moved to Phoenix in 2002 that our friendship began.

I would often see her at the station while I worked on several events. I would help her with using the computer, but we never quite mastered text messaging. I helped in staging a property she was selling (yes, she was a realtor) and hired her as my realtor to sell my house prior to me moving to Phoenix. When she came to Phoenix for a National Toastmasters event, I moved into the hotel with her and accompanied her to all the events so she wouldn’t be alone. We had such a good time! She loved the mountain views from her balcony. TO READ REST OF ARTICLE CLICK HERE