Amistad Taps Urban Roots to Run KSYB
Amistad Communications has placed Charles Edward Johnson in charge of gospel station KSYB 1300 AM under a management agreement with Urban Roots Media Group.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Religious
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Amistad Communications entered a management agreement with Urban Roots Media Group, placing Charles Edward Johnson in charge of operations at gospel station KSYB 1300 AM. Amistad retains ownership of the station.
Why it matters
The agreement combines KSYB's radio platform with Urban Roots Media Group's digital and publishing assets, aiming to build a stronger local media operation serving gospel and faith-based listeners in Northwest Louisiana.
The management agreement is dated Nov. 5, 2026, and KSYB is marking its 25th anniversary under Amistad on Jan. 1, 2027. Financial terms and the timeline for planned upgrades were not disclosed.
The players
Charles Edward Johnson
Known professionally as Pastor CeJay, Johnson previously advanced from sales executive to station director at KOKA Radio before taking charge of KSYB operations.
Urban Roots Media Group
A media entity of CeJay Enterprises of Louisiana LLC that already operates The Shreveport Urban Press and now manages KSYB.
Amistad Communications
The company that retains ownership of KSYB 1300 AM and entered the management agreement with Urban Roots Media Group.
The details
Urban Roots Media Group will oversee KSYB programming, advertising sales, business operations, strategic partnerships, and revenue development. Plans include infrastructure improvements, expanded gospel programming, enhanced digital streaming, and stronger community engagement.
Timeline
2002: Caldwell and Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church acquired KSYB through Amistad Communications.
Nov. 5, 2026: Management agreement between Amistad and Urban Roots announced.
Jan. 1, 2027: KSYB marks its 25th anniversary under Amistad Communications.
Industry Dynamics
The arrangement follows the station's 2002 acquisition by a church-linked group under Amistad Communications, extending a pattern of faith-based ownership for KSYB. It reflects a common approach in which local gospel stations partner with outside media operators to combine radio with digital and publishing assets.
Listeners in Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana who tune to KSYB 1300 AM for gospel programming may see expanded content and enhanced digital streaming as the new operation takes shape. The station's programming and advertising decisions will now be handled day to day by Urban Roots Media Group.
The takeaway
The management change brings a new local operator to a long-established gospel station, and listeners should watch for expanded programming and streaming in the months ahead. Whether the partnership delivers stronger community engagement will become clearer as upgrades are rolled out.
What happens next
KSYB will mark its 25th anniversary under Amistad Communications on Jan. 1, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more faith-focused coverage in our Religious section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTBS.
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