96.3 FM went from "the young sound" to "The Adult Mix" when the station was transferred from WTOP-FM to WHUR. In December 1971, Katharine Graham, President of the Washington Post Co. and Post Newsweek, donated the radio station and transmitting equipment to Howard University (for the sum of $1 dollar), making it the largest contribution the company has ever made.

On December 10, 1971 at 6 p.m., WHUR hit the airwaves, becoming the first black-owned radio station in the Washington area. Dr. James Cheek, then President of Howard University, said of the station:

"We are convinced that this station will make a very significant contribution to the nation generally, not only through the content of its programming, but through the opportunity it will present to train black students in all aspects of broadcasting operations."

Howard had applied to the FCC for the last vacant FM radio channel in Washington, but was denied. The donation of WHUR gave the largest black university the radio station that has become one of the top rated in the area.