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‘Afternoons with Amos’ continues without Amos Brown

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – “Afternoons with Amos” went on today without its leader.

“It is a celebration of life. A celebration of service. A celebration of the one and only, the incomparable Amos Brown,” said Tony Lamont as he opened the show.

Brown died on Friday while visiting his family in Chicago.

He suffered an apparent massive heart attack at just 64 years old.

The hall of fame broadcaster spent 40 years on the air here in Indy. He also wrote for the Indianapolis Recorder.

He used his microphone and pen not only to help black people in the city, but the city as a whole.

“When I heard of the passing of Amos Brown, it was like someone had passed in my own family,” said one caller.

“He was like our Martin Luther King. He was like our champion for justice here in this city,” said another caller.

Lamont often covered for Brown when he was away. Today, he said he was prepared.

“My preparation was already prepared when he gave me the opportunity to do what he did,” said Lamont.

Caller after caller, and guest after guest remembered Brown as a steward of his community.

“Amos gave us the knowledge everyday, but also behind the scenes when people, when the crowds weren’t listening Amos was still going at it and was still working hard,” said Rev. Jeffrey Johnson of Eastern Star Church.

“The ability to move the community forward by using his voice, his microphone, these studios and the Indianapolis Recorder is extremely important to our community. He did that with passion,” said City County Councilor Leroy Robinson.

“It wasn’t ever really about Amos Brown, it was about the community in which he served and who he reported to,” said Delana Ivey, a frequent listener to the show.

Brown often used his microphone to talk about issues deeply impacting the community; unemployment, violence and social justice.

But those who loved him say he was much more than a man on the radio.

“I would even see him on the street and he would be just as cordial, he would speak to you. He would say ‘Hi.’ It was like he was your best friend,” said Sheila Cooper, another frequent listener.

Brown will be laid to rest on Saturday. A location and time still hasn’t been set.