Milwaukee journalism pioneer and visionary, Jerrel Jones, 85, founder of the weekly newspaper, the Milwaukee Courier and owner of WNOV radio station, has died according to a statement from the family.
“He was a mentor, a pioneer, and a beacon of strength,” Mary Ellen Jones, daughter and general manager of WNOV, said in a statement on the station’s website on June 9.
Jones led Courier Communications Corp., which included the newspaper for 61 years. The Courier was founded in 1964 during the Civil Rights movement and desegregation in Milwaukee’s schools.
In 1972, Courier Communications bought WNOV, with Jones as the majority stakeholder, making it the first Black owned radio station in Wisconsin and one of 30 in the United States, according to the station’s website.
In 2013, Courier Communications bought the Madison Times, a Black newspaper in Madison.
A special tribute edition of the Milwaukee Courier is planned for the end of July and community members are invited to share a reflection of Jones.
‘His radio station helped people during tough times’
Homer Blow, a program director and music director at WNOV, worked with Jones for 33 years.
“He was an excellent boss,” Homer said adding he had a keen ear for radio programming. ““He always gave me great feedback and told me people loved how the station sounded.”
Homer recalled asking Jones what was the most important part of the company. Jones responded — “communication.”
“How can we be in radio and not know how to communicate?” Homer remembered Jones saying. “He was very smart and always wanted to help.”
Radio talk show host Earl Ingram Jr. said Jones provided a space for the Black community to be heard.
“Jerrel Jones gave people a chance to talk about what was happening in their lives,” Ingram said. “He believed in me and taught me so much. His radio station helped people during tough times.”
In a statement Mayor Cavalier Johnson said:
“Milwaukee has lost a titan of local media with the passing of Jerrel W. Jones. His leadership of both the Milwaukee Courier newspaper and WNOV radio provided important outlets for news, entertainment and information. Jerrel was an engaged owner and community leader. His family, friends and colleagues have my condolences.”
Milwaukee Courier called a force in politics, culture
The Courier is the oldest continuously publishing Black newspaper in Wisconsin and has been a force in politics, culture and community since its first edition.
Jones gave it the slogan “the newspaper you can trust” and it was a key source of information and commentary for Milwaukee’s Black community.
Jones held politicians to account, including those whose campaigns he helped support financially. One of those was Democratic state Sen. Gary George, who represented part of the north side of Milwaukee at the time.
In 2003, Jones supported then-Gov. Jim Doyle’s efforts to expand casino gambling in the state that would have benefited Potawatomi Casino, one of the major advertisers for the Courier and major employer in the Black community. George felt the casino had not met minority participation goals and voted against expansion.
Jones editorialized against George, who he had supported for 20 years, and launched a successful recall election campaign against him. About seven months later, George lost his seat in the recall election to Spencer Coggs.
Former Ald. Fred Gordon said Jones was a “mentor” to him and one that many in the community went to for guidance or for support for local office.
“He gave advice and helped many people in our community,” Gordon said. “You had to go see him. You needed his blessing.”
Gordon said Jones’ use of media could improve the community.
“He believed in sharing news and making people smarter,” Gordon said. “He wanted our community to know how to use what we have to live the best life we can.”
Jones wasn’t just a media owner — he was a trusted voice and a helper to many.
“He helped shape our future,” Gordon said. “And he made sure we knew our past.”
This story has been updated with new information.
