Milwaukee Station Wanted Black-Owned Businesses to Pay Up

WTMJ stirred up some ill feelings after marketing an opportunity to local Black-owned businesses to appear on a morning program during Black History Month, but only if they were willing to pay $1,000.

The Milwaukee Journal reports that the station sent marketing emails to several Black business owners in the area offering an opportunity to appear on the station’s daily lifestyle show, which airs weekdays at 9 a.m.

The email included an attachment with a Black History Month graphic that noted how important it is for the program to highlight Black-owned businesses during February. "It is important to The Morning Blend (the lifestyle show) to highlight black-owned businesses during Black History Month to celebrate their contributions, promote diversity, amplify voices, tell their story, and foster inclusivity and understanding in the community," the attachment read.

WTMJ wanted businesses to pay $1,000, which the email said was a discounted price.

One Black business owner said, “If you're going to invite us to celebrate Black History Month, then we shouldn't be charged to come in to celebrate Black History Month?”

WTMJ station manager Gregg Schraufnagel told the Journal that "The Morning Blend" is a lifestyle program, not part of the news division, and that it is common for content to be sponsored on the program. "That’s always been the format of the show," he added.

In other words, “Yeah, it’s shady as fuck, but it’s not our news department, so it’s cool.”