Overview: Legacy, Jazz, and the future of 89.9 FM
Freddie Bell shares a press release, reflecting on the life and legacy of long-time KMOJ volunteer host Charles "Chaz Millionaire" Dillon, while sharing progress on the station's permanent North Minneapolis home and a new legacy fund created in Dillon's honor.
Many across the Twin Cities are mourning the loss of Charles “Chaz Millionaire” Dillon, volunteer radio host at KMOJ Radio since 1981.
For decades, Dillon shared his love and knowledge of jazz with our listeners as the host of Jazz Reflections on Sunday afternoons.
As KMOJ continues the journey towards its “Forever Home,” a new community media and engagement hub in North Minneapolis, station leadership is reflecting on progress made and the deep-rooted history that makes the work so vital to the Twin Cities. Leaders emphasize that the station’s heart has always resided in its people.
“It is volunteers like Chaz. It is the broadcasters who have informed and entertained our community,” said Freddie Bell, the station’s general manager.
To honor Dillon’s lifelong contributions to local airwaves, family members have launched a GoFundMe campaign for the Chaz Vision Media Legacy Fund, creating a lasting tribute to his dedication to music, media, and community empowerment.
A permanent beacon at Lowry and Oliver
Development on the new facility at the intersection of Lowry and Oliver avenues in North Minneapolis remains underway.
Design work is advancing, financial planning continues, and community partners are navigating the complex details required for a project of this scale. While Bell acknowledges that the road ahead is long, the momentum remains steady.
The new site is intended to serve as more than an operational base—it is designed to stand as a permanent monument to Twin Cities media pioneers while creating space for the next generation of Black and Brown storytellers.