Charlotte is remembering Hattie “Chatty Hatty” Leeper, a pioneering broadcaster whose work helped shape the city’s radio history. Leeper passed away October 13, 2026, at age 98, leaving a legacy of music, education, and opportunity.
Recognized as North Carolina’s first Black female radio announcer, Leeper became a familiar voice through Charlotte’s WGIV. Her presence behind the microphone broke barriers and helped create opportunities for Black women in broadcasting.
Her influence reached beyond radio. She promoted artists, wrote and produced music, and taught at Johnson C. Smith University and Gaston College. Through her work in entertainment and education, she helped others develop their talents and find their voices.
A homegoing celebration will take place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church’s Intergenerational Center, located at 3301 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. Leeper will lie in state from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 1615 Oaklawn Avenue.
For complete funeral arrangements, floral tributes, and condolences, visit Grier Funeral Service’s memorial page for Hattie Leeper.
Her voice holds a lasting place in Charlotte’s history, and her legacy continues through the doors she opened.
