Gloria M Langston

Brighton, NY
Friday May 6, 2022

Gloria Langston was born in 1924 in Kingston, Jamaica to Gladys Matilda Muir.

In 1948, she moved to New York City and there she met her husband, Andrew Langston. She worked as a legal secretary during her time in New York while attending classes at NYU and raising her young family. In 1963, Andrew, Gloria and their young son, Andre, moved to Rochester, NY. She worked for many years as a medical secretary as she pursued her associates degree from MCC and undergraduate degree from the U of R. Many obstacles were put in their way to discourage the couple, but they never gave up. Gloria wore many hats during the early years. Wife, mother, and businesswoman. She was truly Andrew's partner. She had a seat at the table from the very beginning in a time when women weren't often seen. She truly held her own!

The day finally arrived that all their hard work would pay off. On April 6, 1974, WDKX Radio commenced broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Being the only Black owned station in the city, they decided to make a statement by naming the station after black leaders – D for Frederick Douglass (who spent many years in Rochester), K for Martin Luther King and X for Malcolm X. The station is still broadcasting 48 years later and have been the number one station for years!


Gloria played a key role in the success of WDKX as station manager. She also began her on-air career. Every Saturday morning, Gloria would tell the children to gather around the radio for story time. She would share stories and fables about African kings and queens and other stories featuring positive Black characters. It was important to her that Black children hear these stories, knowing they might not hear them in school. She was also the host of a weekly show called People to People. She would interview people from the community to educate people on happenings, organizations and to keep Rochester informed. She was truly an amazing woman and a Jill of all trades! With everything she had on her plate, she still managed to be a mother figure to the entire staff at WDKX.


Once she settled into her role at the station, always looking to further her education, she joined the organization, Toastmasters. Already an excellent speaker, Toastmasters helped her to polish her craft. Within the national organization, she held numerous elected positions and won many awards. She excelled at everything she did.


Even though her calendar was full daily, she never allowed it to get in her way of her family. In later years, she was the caretaker for her mother, and loving grandmother to Andria.


Gloria lived a full and wonderful life. As expected, the loss of Andrew 12 years ago was a difficult transition for her. Her son Andre took great care of her and ensured her every need was met. She died at home where she wanted to be.

She was predeceased by her mother Gladys Matilda Muir and husband Andrew Langston.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Andrew Langston Center Educational Excellence Foundation.

To sign Gloria's online guestbook click the above link "share memories".