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Today we launched the BLACK OWNED MEDIA COALITION at the New Orleans City Council. As an owner of Equity Media LLC (WBOK 1230AM Radio station), we join other coalition members – Data News Weekly, the New Orleans Tribune, and the Louisiana Weekly
Together, the Coalition members have been providing news, entertainment, and information to
the New Orleans community for more than 250 years combined.
the New Orleans community for more than 250 years combined.
A few days ago we had a moment of clarity that was illuminating. A moment that not only speaks to the
immediate issues at hand, but a history of disrespect and indifference that has persisted for
many years.
- That moment came in a recent interview with Equity Media at WBOK.
immediate issues at hand, but a history of disrespect and indifference that has persisted for
many years.
- That moment came in a recent interview with Equity Media at WBOK.
Donald Rouse, founder of @RousesMarkets requested
to come on our station and speak about his actions in Washington DC at the rally that led to the American Insurrection at the US Capitol. His goal was to apologize to the African-American community for his participation.
to come on our station and speak about his actions in Washington DC at the rally that led to the American Insurrection at the US Capitol. His goal was to apologize to the African-American community for his participation.
The same African-American community that has been the source of so much of his success, wealth, and revenue.
- While for the last three decades Rouse’s has repeatedly received the economic benefit and support of our community, they have never done business with Black-owned media
- While for the last three decades Rouse’s has repeatedly received the economic benefit and support of our community, they have never done business with Black-owned media
Mr. Rouse of @RousesMarkets needs the Black media now for his “apology” tour, but has never engaged us for the lifetime of his business.
- With this realization, we had an epiphany. This was the moment we realized that he was not the only company that practices this hypocrisy.
- With this realization, we had an epiphany. This was the moment we realized that he was not the only company that practices this hypocrisy.
They thrive from our community, but they don’t value us enough to speak to us through our media. This was the moment of clarity. Like the canary in the coal mine, it is a signal of a persistent problem that must change, or it becomes destructive.
Organizations are asked about speaking to communities of color, they reference large national companies that have a Black audience, but not Black ownership. The economic investment leaves our community, &the business advertises to Black people saying come buy our products.
The importance of supporting Black and Latinx media is far more complex and substantive than that. Supporting Black and Latinx media is a statement that we believe the role these medias play in raising issues of consequence is an important role and we want to support that.
We at Equity Media, The Tribune, Data News Weekly, & the Louisiana Weekly as a Black Media Coalition challenge all regulated & non-regulated businesses that benefit from our listeners,to proactively support the free flow of news to communities by doing business with our entities
The coalition is requesting that New Orleans City Council, as the regulating authority for the City, encourage, remind, and demand that these regulated entities not only take from our community, but do business and invest in the messaging that is owned in the Black community.
New Orleans is a 65% Black community!
- Currently, NONE of your regulated and franchised entities Entergy, COX, Sewerage & Water
Board, RTA, ATT, VERIZON, and T-Mobile do ANY business with New Orleans’ Black and Latinx
owned media companies.
- Currently, NONE of your regulated and franchised entities Entergy, COX, Sewerage & Water
Board, RTA, ATT, VERIZON, and T-Mobile do ANY business with New Orleans’ Black and Latinx
owned media companies.
Today we are announcing a plan that demands accountability from the business community that
serves NewOrleans. In March, we will begin a process that informs the public on an industry-by-industry basis of companies that are supportive of Black-owned media businesses &who are not
serves NewOrleans. In March, we will begin a process that informs the public on an industry-by-industry basis of companies that are supportive of Black-owned media businesses &who are not
We believe that the social justice movement of the 21st Century is economic development. This action is in the best interest of the African American community. Never again will we allow our economic power to be abused. We now will exercise our right of self-determination.
Our request for the City Council is that you stand with us as citizens, business owners, & stakeholders in this great City. We request that you make it clear to the entities that you regulate, that the citizens of New Orleans will no longer support a one-sided relationship...
A relationship in which these businesses take from the
community while returning little to nothing to it.
- We request that you clearly express to your constituents and your regulated companies as to
the value of Black-owned media and its position in the community.
community while returning little to nothing to it.
- We request that you clearly express to your constituents and your regulated companies as to
the value of Black-owned media and its position in the community.
