Good Karma Brands is taking action to provide a voice for Milwaukee’s Black community. The company has announced plans for the launch of “101.7 The Truth”, a brand which will focus on providing local shows, news, information and discussion by and for members of the Black community.
“At Good Karma Brands we believe every voice matters, but as the events of this past year unfolded, we realized there were underrepresented voices that had so much to say and needed to be heard,” CEO and founder Craig Karmazin said in a company issued press release. “We believe there is a unique opportunity for us in Milwaukee to launch a station that can make a real impact across the city, and within our company.”
Good Karma did not reveal an exact launch date but says they expect to introduce the station in 2020. A majority of the content will emphasize empowerment, faith and community.
VP/Market Manager Steve Wexler added, “With the launch of 101.7 The Truth, we are making good on our promise to serve our community in a deeper and more meaningful way, and to specifically serve our Black neighbors and friends who make up nearly 40% of Milwaukee’s population. I’m thrilled to launch this station with our talented hometown team.”
To make the new format a reality, Good Karma will buy back the signals to WRRD and the 101.7 translator signal. They had been utilized by Michael Crute who was broadcasting a liberal talk format known as “Talk 101.7.” The company is hoping to finalize the purchase in the first quarter of 2021.
The responsibility of bringing the brand to life will belong to General Manager Cherie Harris and Operations Manager Kyle Wallace. Harris is a Milwaukee media veteran having worked in radio and television for iHeartMedia and WITI-TV. Wallace has been with Good Karma since 2016 and has served as an admissions counselor at Marquette University.
“We are going to put together a meeting place,” Harris remarked. “A place for honest and real debate, as well as welcoming conversation, and a place for celebration and connection within the Black community.”
“We have already started the search for the voices that will make 101.7 The Truth a destination for the stories and experiences that are relevant to the Black community,” Wallace said. “We have the resources to make sure that our new station really is a local marketplace for ideas and commerce. This isn’t a nationally-syndicated project, it’s home-grown.”
