CHARLOTTE — Hattie Massey Leeper, known to generations of radio listeners as “Chatty Hatty” and recognized as the first Black female radio announcer in North Carolina, died Tuesday at age 98.
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Leeper spent 18 years in broadcasting across Charlotte radio stations WGIV-AM, WRPL and WAYS. Her work helped shape the musical and cultural landscape of the region as she connected audiences through music and community events.
Born in Edgemoor, South Carolina, Leeper began her broadcasting career at age 14 as an assistant at WGIV-AM, a rhythm and blues and gospel radio station in Charlotte.
During her career, Leeper promoted and booked major R&B and gospel performers, including James Brown, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson. She also wrote and produced music, operated her own record store and developed a friendship with Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Leeper’s family reflected on her legacy and personal character following her death.
“Our grandmother was a trailblazer who believed in the power of her voice to connect people, celebrate music and create opportunities for others,” said Hatiya Dunlap, Leeper’s granddaughter. “While generations of listeners knew her as ‘Hatty,’ to our family she was a woman of extraordinary determination, creativity and faith. We are immensely proud of her contributions to broadcasting and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.”
Following her work in radio, Leeper taught future communications professionals at Johnson C. Smith University and Gaston College. She retired in 1998 as chairman of the broadcasting department at Gaston College and later founded Chatty’s School of Communications.
Funeral and memorial arrangements are being finalized and will be announced by the family at a later date.