Broadcaster fighting to block WJNZ sale

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A Grand Rapids broadcaster who claims the African American community will lose its voice on the airwaves is fighting to block the sale of radio station WJNZ.

Radio personality Robert S. Womack tried to buy the station he works for, but was not the highest bidder. He said Huntington Bank was foreclosing on the station owner for a loan default.

Huntington Bank first accepted Womack's bid, but then decided to reopen the bidding process, he told 24 Hour News 8. Womack's next bid fell short.

Next, Christian radio programmer Holy Family Radio of Lowell outbid him, Womack said. He will challenge the transfer of the license before the FCC on the grounds the black community will be negatively impacted.

"We're the only African American radio station on the whole AM or FM dial," he said. "What we're trying to do is protect a 31-year legacy. We're trying to protect jobs for young people that work here in our community. We're trying to protect something that is really the ... town of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and that is WJNZ-1140 AM."

Womack will go before a Grand Rapids judge to plead his case.