Equity Media Acquires WBOK 1230 AM
Equity Media, the team comprised of New Orleans native and actor/producer Wendell Pierce; Cleveland Spears III, president and CEO of the Spears Group;, Troy Henry, managing partner of Henry Consulting; and Jeff Thomas, founder of Thomas Media Services, has announced it will be moving forward with the acquisition of WBOK 1230 AM, under a newly formed company, Equity Media. The group has executed a purchase and sale agreement to assume ownership from Los Angeles based-Bakewell Media and is expected to close on the sale in the second quarter of 2019.
In 2009, Danny Bakewell, Sr. and his son Danny, Jr. established Louisiana’s only African American news talk platform. WBOK broadcasts informative programming targeted to African Americans and has established itself as a top platform where all New Orleanians can receive their news and share their views. The acquisition is partially financed by partners of Equity Media and debt-financed through Liberty Bank, making the new ownership team 100 percent Black-owned and funded.
“We are extremely excited to be a part of advancing the legacy of The Bakewell Family and WBOK Radio as an indispensable source of news for the city of New Orleans, especially the African American community,” said Equity Media representatives. “The opportunity to elevate the station by ensuring that it provides a well-rounded view of major issues that affect the day-to-day lives of African Americans is something that we all feel immensely passionate about.”
In It To Win It Series Continues on May 13
The next installation in the In It To Win It series, presented by the New Orleans Multi-Cultural Tourism Network and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation will take place from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, at Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
In It to Win is a quarterly workshop series developed to maximize opportunities for local and diverse businesses in the tourism industry.
Attendees are provided real-time news and information regarding procurement opportunities as well as strategies and best practices to improve their businesses. The workshops feature some of the most dynamic and successful experts in their respective industries.
