INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (November 7, 2015) – Amos Brown, a longtime fixture on Indianapolis radio and in the local African American community, has died at the age of 64.
Sources told FOX59 News that the WTLC radio host collapsed and died late Friday afternoon of an apparent heart attack at his family’s home in Chicago.
Brown had taken a few days off as the host of his daily show, “Afternoons with Amos,” on WTLC-AM following this week’s mayoral election.
Tuesday night Brown attended the Democratic celebration of mayor-elect Joe Hogsett’s victory at the Crowne Plaza Banquet Center and filed reports via Twitter and the station’s website.
A native of Chicago, Brown attended Northwestern University and arrived in Indianapolis in 1975.
Throughout his 40-year career in Central Indiana radio, Brown served as station manager at WTLC as well as on-air host for Hoosier Radio & TV before returning to WTLC after its purchase by Radio One where he was a strategic analyst.
The politically powerful and the common man and woman often found a home on Brown’s airwaves, either being grilled or cajoled into sharing their opinions on issues important to the city in general and African American community in particular.
Brown also served as a moderator, host and lightning rod in leading community discussions on controversial issues, always treading a middle ground in the pursuit of truth but mindful of the often discounted or ignored voice of his listeners
The much-honored personality was inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2007.
IBE President Tanya Bell released this statement Saturday after the announcement of Brown’s passing:
The board, staff and members of Indiana Black Expo are truly saddened by the passing of Amos Brown, a life-time champion of justice and equality for the African-American community and the underserved. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, our Radio One family and our entire community. His passion and voice will be sorely missed. Amos defined his life through an unwavering and unparalleled commitment to public service, advocacy and leadership. IBE is committed to honoring his legacy in our ongoing work.
Chuck Williams, Radio One Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager, released this statement Saturday:
“Amos has touched the lives and hearts of hundreds of our Radio One family, both past and present. Amos has touched hundreds of thousands of our extended Radio Family who have tuned in or reached out to Amos Brown every day of his illustrious Hall of Fame Broadcast Career. A City is identified and driven by the depth and passion of our leader’s Civic commitment. Amos Brown was large among them. During Amos’s entire life he exemplified true passion and caring for the City of Indianapolis and definitively for the Community he loved to serve.
Our Hearts are with Amos’s immediate family and we ask that you support them in their grief and loss.”
