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New Orleans Native, Actor Wendell Pierce and Businessmen Troy Henry, Cleveland Spears, And Jeff Thomas Purchase Wbok Talk Radio

NEW ORLEANS DATA NEWS WEEKLY — In a groundbreaking business move that will likely shape the landscape of local radio for several years to come, famed actor and New Orleans native, Wendell Pierce, along with business consultant and former mayoral candidate Troy Henry; Cleveland Spears owner of Spears Group Communications Firm, and Think504 owner Jeff Thomas have purchased WBOK Talk Radio. The investment group placed a bid to owners, Los Angeles-based Bakewell Media earlier this year and have now confirmed that the deal has been sealed.

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By Data Staff Writers

In a groundbreaking business move that will likely shape the landscape of local radio for several years to come, famed actor and New Orleans native, Wendell Pierce, along with business consultant and former mayoral candidate Troy Henry; Cleveland Spears owner of Spears Group Communications Firm, and Think504 owner Jeff Thomas have purchased WBOK Talk Radio. The investment group placed a bid to owners, Los Angeles-based Bakewell Media earlier this year and have now confirmed that the deal has been sealed.

In an exclusive interview with Data News Weekly publisher Terry Jones, Henry said, “I am looking forward. This will be a good project, working through FCC stuff. It’s exciting. (We) don’t have a specific timeline because we can’t close and transfer ownership without FCC approval, so right now we are continuing our due diligence. We have reached an agreement and are just waiting for final FCC approval.”

Henry further noted, “we will stay with news, talk and add a sports component, which is so important to the New Orleans community. We will reflect on what the station has already done and we hope to take WBOK to the next level. The Bakewells did a great job with the station, but because of them being so far away they decided to sell and we were fortunate enough to make the purchase. This is a business profit-making opportunity. Our first focus will be to hire a new general manager or retain the current general manager, and hire a program director; then have them craft the vision we have for the station and give them the latitude to be creative. Until ownership changes, the format is the same and will stay on the air. We may change the studio location; that is a possibility.”

Henry further explained, giving Data News exclusive information on one of their partnerships, “our relationship with Xavier University will be a critical element for the new station. We will heavily utilize students, internships, and Xavier will have its own time slots. With our new format everyone will be fed news, sports, and talk. We want listeners to stay on WBOK because they will get everything they need. I don’t know that it is our role as a radio station to opinionate, but to provide diversity of thought and prospective, and the audience makes its own decisions.”

Speaking of the financial and historic details surrounding the deal, Henry firmly communicated that the group’s position was to keep the station African-American owned and operated. “We went into this project with no preconceived notions other than we want complete black ownership. Liberty Bank is providing partial financing. We wanted a 100 percent African-American owned station, so both ownership and debt are black owned. The Bakewells have been helpful and forthcoming and very good in all respects. I can’t understate how big Wendell’s vision is and his thought process is for this station,” he said.

This article originally appeared in the New Orleans Data News Weekly.

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Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 28 – June 3, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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OPINION: Your Voice and Vote Impact the Quality of Your Health Care

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare. 

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Rhonda M. Smith.
Rhonda M. Smith.

By Rhonda M. Smith, Special to California Black Media Partners

Shortly after last year’s election, I hopped into a Lyft and struck up a conversation with the driver. As we talked, the topic inevitably turned to politics. He confidently told me that he didn’t vote — not because he supported Donald Trump, but because he didn’t like Kamala Harris’ résumé. When I asked what exactly he didn’t like, he couldn’t specifically articulate his dislike or point to anything specific. In his words, he “just didn’t like her résumé.”

That moment really hit hard for me. As a Black woman, I’ve lived through enough election cycles to recognize how often uncertainty, misinformation, or political apathy keep people from voting, especially Black voters whose voices are historically left out of the conversation and whose health, economic security, and opportunities are directly impacted by the individual elected to office, and the legislative branches and political parties that push forth their agenda.

That conversation with the Lyft driver reflects a troubling surge in fear-driven politics across our country. We’ve seen White House executive orders gut federal programs meant to help our most vulnerable populations and policies that systematically exclude or harm Black and underserved communities.

One of the most dangerous developments we’re seeing now? Deep federal cuts are being proposed to Medicaid, the life-saving health insurance program that covers nearly 80 million lower-income individuals nationwide. That is approximately 15 million Californians and about 1 million of the state’s nearly 3 million Black Californians who are at risk of losing their healthcare.

Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California, doesn’t just cover care. It protects individuals and families from medical debt, keeps rural hospitals open, creates jobs, and helps our communities thrive. Simply put; Medicaid is a lifeline for 1 in 5 Black Americans. For many, it’s the only thing standing between them and a medical emergency they can’t afford, especially with the skyrocketing costs of health care. The proposed cuts mean up to 7.2 million Black Americans could lose their healthcare coverage, making it harder for them to receive timely, life-saving care. Cuts to Medicaid would also result in fewer prenatal visits, delayed cancer screenings, unfilled prescriptions, and closures of community clinics. When healthcare is inaccessible or unaffordable, it doesn’t just harm individuals, it weakens entire communities and widens inequities.

The reality is Black Americans already face disproportionately higher rates of poorer health outcomes. Our life expectancy is nearly five years shorter in comparison to White Americans. Black pregnant people are 3.6 times more likely to die during pregnancy or postpartum than their white counterparts.

These policies don’t happen in a vacuum. They are determined by who holds power and who shows up to vote. Showing up amplifies our voices. Taking action and exercising our right to vote is how we express our power.

I urge you to start today. Call your representatives, on both sides of the aisle, and demand they protect Medicaid (Medi-Cal), the Affordable Care Act (Covered CA), and access to food assistance programs, maternal health resources, mental health services, and protect our basic freedoms and human rights. Stay informed, talk to your neighbors and register to vote.

About the Author

Rhonda M. Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity for all Black Californians.

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