Comedian Dave Chappelle has helped secure the future of a local radio station in Yellow Springs, Ohio, by funding the renovation of a historic schoolhouse to serve as its new home. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday marked the opening of the building, which will house NPR affiliate WYSO, preventing the station from relocating to nearby Dayton.
Speaking at the event, Chappelle described WYSO as 'our lifeblood in the community' and said its possible departure would have been 'a crushing blow' for the village. The 19th-century Union Schoolhouse, originally built in 1872 and once an integrated school, had sat vacant for years before being purchased by Chappelle’s real estate company in 2020.
The station will occupy the lower floors, while Chappelle’s offices will be on the top floor. Chappelle stressed the investment was about preservation and community support, saying, 'If you have the opportunity like I did, to invest in your community, then it’s one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made.'
The move comes as local media outlets across the US face declining resources and competition from digital platforms. WYSO general manager Luke Dennis said the new facility puts the station 'in a place of strength' and noted that Chappelle has never interfered with editorial decisions. Resident Mark Willis praised the station for telling truth and stories without censorship, calling its growth 'beautiful'.
Chappelle, who grew up spending summers in Yellow Springs where his father worked, has become deeply involved in the community. He owns a farm, opened a comedy club, and hosted pandemic-era performances in a nearby cornfield. Reflecting on the project, he said, 'I'm more determined and inspired that these institutions flourish and stay of the people.'
