WERD was the first radio station in the United States owned and operated by African Americans. It was founded in 1949 in Atlanta, Georgia by Jesse B. Blayton Sr., a prominent African American businessman and entrepreneur.

WERD played a crucial role in giving a platform to African American voices and perspectives during a time when mainstream media largely ignored or misrepresented the Black community. The station featured a variety of programming highlighting Black culture, music, and news, and it became a valuable resource for the local Black community in Atlanta.

Notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were known to have been interviewed on WERD, using the station as a platform to spread their messages of civil rights and social justice.

WERD faced challenges and struggles throughout its existence, including financial difficulties and struggles to compete with larger mainstream stations. The station eventually changed ownership and formats over the years, but its legacy as a pioneering African American-owned radio station remains an important part of Black history in the United States.