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WBOK would act as “a learning platform” for ’s communications and journalism majors through internships, mentoring, and career opportunities for students and graduates, according to a Thursday evening (Feb. 14) press release from the Spears Group. In a statement, Xavier President Reynold Verret said their partnership would provide students a platform to discuss the “most pertinent issues facing our communities.”

"WBOK will provide our students with a very hands-on approach and allow them to grow and advance their skills in the media industry,” Verret said.

 is teaming with local marketing executive , businessman Troy Henry and Thomas Media founder Jeff Thomas to submit a bid to purchase WBOK, a New Orleans-based news-talk radio station currently owned by the Los Angeles based-Bakewell Media. WBOK caters to a predominantly black audience.

The Spears group stated WBOK would not only offer employment opportunities to local journalists, but it would also serve as a training hub for the next generation of radio broadcasters through its partnership with Xavier.