Making Milwaukee History
In 2021, Milwaukee Entertainment Journalist Carrie “Noni Juice” Mahone could relate to the struggles of the pandemic when it came to employment. She was furloughed from her job which left her wondering what would be next.
She’s always wanted a career in entertainment thanks to BET’s 106 & Park, so when the opportunity came to be a part of a new Black-focused radio show, she took it on. Mahone was referred to apply for a position at 101.7 The Truth from a teacher at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).
“The teacher told me I think you should apply for this, so he gave me his email. I applied [and] I got the position as a producer,” said Mahone.
101.7 The Truth is under Good Karma Brands (GKB), a broadcasting company that began in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The Truth serves as an audio platform that specifically embraces the Black community of Milwaukee with lively personalities that initiate powerful conversations about current events and pop culture. The station became an addition to the GKB family in 2020 and has since grown to be an interactive, community station.
While the station fills a needed voice in the broadcasting industry, there is only one Black-owned radio station in Milwaukee, WNOV. According to the National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters nationally there are only 221 Black-owned radio stations.
Kyle Wallace is the Director of Content for 101.7 The Truth and was a part of the hiring process that brought Mahone into the station.
“She had a personality. There was just something about her that you could tell that she had just that ‘it’ factor,” said Wallace. “Just going off the first interview we knew she potentially could be something special, but then as she worked behind the scenes then took on some other tasks…we could tell there was a lot of potential in there to be an on-air personality.”
She was hired on as a producer, but as Mahone grew as a journalist, she knew she wanted to do more at the station. She pitched to the station to create a new position so she could be the digital content creator. To her delight, leadership said yes.
A few years later Mahone is now a co-host for the station’s newest show “Jamming with Juice”, alongside Ben “Jammin” Hooks. Every day from noon to 1:00 p.m. the two millennial hosts fill the airwaves with their perspectives on popular culture, lifestyle, and current trending topics.
“Personalities matter because a lot of times you’re trying to make personalities fit, but for them, it’s so natural because they’ve known each other for years,” said Wallace. “They are actually friends off the air which allows for them to truly grow on the air.
The two hosts are embracing a new age for broadcast journalism, as the younger generations begin filling the newsrooms and studios.
“It’s been a whirlwind but to know that right now we are the voice for the younger generation and people that the younger generation does look up to it’s an incredible honor,” said Hooks. “Me and Carrie both take on that responsibility because ultimately our plight is truly making certain that the creatives and entrepreneurs in the city have a voice and we want to amplify that voice to the umpteenth degree.”
With Mahone’s new show, she has become one of the youngest women in Milwaukee to host her own radio show in the city.
“It has been a blessing to be able to work my way up. I don’t want to say so quickly but just how it happened it’s just like crazy,” said Mahone. “I’m just having so much fun with it.”
Diversifying Her Skills
Mahone is a woman of many media talents. Along with being an on-air host, she’s the host of the Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette University basketball games, she works with local Black and woman-owned media company Copywrite Magazine, she’s a YouTuber, and she’s paid to host different events around the city.
Recently, Mahone hosted the 3rd annual Share the Vibes Festival in Downtown Milwaukee. She helped lead attendees through conversations, activities, and competitions about technology and music.
Connecting with the community is essential for journalists like Mahone.
“When I do come to events like this I get to see who is in the community, who is passionate about what,” said Mahone. “That’s how you can network and connect with one another and build up the city.”
Watch Carvd N Stone video interviews from the 3rd Annual Share the Vibes Festival here.
Maria Peralta-Arellano is a Milwaukee-native journalist who focuses on sharing news from her local communities. She dedicates her work to accessibility and producing bilingual coverage focused on arts, culture, and politics. She looks to explore her community through a journalistic and creative lens.
