The Milwaukee Courier and 101.7 The Truth (WGKB) have partnered to form the Milwaukee Black Media Trust, a community ownership structure ensuring that both historic Black media institutions remain independent and in service of Milwaukee’s Black community.
The Trust was established by Civic Media, which acquired The Milwaukee Courier in late 2025 and is awaiting FCC approval to finalize the purchase of 860 The Voice (WNOV).
Instead of retaining sole ownership of the historically Black-owned media properties, Civic created the Trust to prevent the sale, consolidation, or redirection of the institutions away from the community they serve. Civic will continue to support Milwaukee Black Media’s operations through a services agreement, providing administrative, technology, and sales support services.
Robert “Biko” Baker has been named GM of Milwaukee Black Media, leading operations across the Courier and WGKB, working with Program Director Darren Deboe, Editor Roemel Brown, and Sales Director Doug Kelley. Milwaukee Black Media has also partnered with local marketing agreement Good Karma Brands to program WGKB with an option to purchase the station.
The Trust offers Milwaukee Black Media employees profit-sharing vested after five years. The Trust is governed by three founding trustees: Milwaukee alderwoman and community leader Milele A. Coggs, Ascension Health Senior Marketing Leader Tiffany Wynn, and The Milwaukee Courier Editor Roemel Brown.
The trustees, in turn, will appoint board members for Milwaukee Black Media LLC.
Civic Media CEO Sage Weil said, “We are very excited about Milwaukee Black Media because it puts these important community media assets under the control of the community that they serve, with a financial structure that benefits the employees doing the work. We look forward to working closely with Milwaukee Black Media to support the new organization’s growth and success in the years to come.”
Baker commented, “Milwaukee’s Black community stands at an important crossroads, and the role of media in shaping our path forward has never been more critical. This is a pivotal moment: one that calls for tearing down silos, elevating authentic voices, and building media institutions that serve our community across generations…What we are building is not simply a media company–it is a platform designed to inform, connect, and uplift a community that deserves nothing less.”
