Milwaukee Black Media Forms Community Trust

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 3:20pm CT

W269DL (101.7 The Truth) Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Courier and W269DL (101.7 The Truth) are transitioning to community ownership under a newly created Milwaukee Black Media Trust, a move designed to preserve independent Black media in Milwaukee for the long term.

The trust structure, established by Civic Media, places the historic newspaper and Talk outlet into an employee benefit model that prevents the properties from being sold or consolidated outside the community. Under the arrangement, employees will participate in profit-sharing that vests over five years.

The Milwaukee Black Media Trust will oversee Milwaukee Black Media LLC, the operating company for the properties. Governance is handled by three trustees with ties to the local Black community, who in turn appoint a board of directors.

Robert "Biko" Baker has been named General Manager of Milwaukee Black Media and will lead operations across the Courier and the radio station, working alongside editorial and programming leadership.

As part of the transition, Milwaukee Black Media has entered into a local marketing agreement with Good Karma Brands to program 101.7 The Truth, with an option to purchase the station. The station launched in 2021 with a focus on news, talk and cultural content for Milwaukee's Black community.

Civic Media said it will continue to provide administrative, technology and sales support through a services agreement, while editorial and programming decisions will remain independent under the new structure.

The Milwaukee Courier, founded in 1964, is Wisconsin's oldest Black newspaper. WNOV, the state's first Black-owned radio station, is expected to join the trust in the future pending FCC approval of its acquisition and license transfer.

Organizers said the trust model is intended to ensure these media outlets remain community-focused and continue serving Milwaukee's Black residents for generations.