A former chief meteorologist at WISH-TV is speaking out, claiming she was fired after questioning the treatment of Black women employees at the Black-owned station.
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Ashley Brown Elliott, who worked at WISH-TV since 2018, took to social media last Thursday, stating that station management restricted her wardrobe choices and that other Black employees were pressured to change their appearances. She also alleged that eight Black women had been fired in the past two years but did not elaborate further when questioned by the Indianapolis Star. In her social media post, Brown Elliott revealed that WISH-TV management allegedly imposed strict appearance guidelines on Black employees. She stated that she was told to stop wearing specific colors while on air, though she did not specify which shades were restricted. Additionally, she claimed that Black employees were singled out for their body types, with management allegedly commenting on their curvy figures, and alleged that Black staff members were asked to remove their dreadlocks.
WISH-TV, owned by Circle Broadcasting and led by DuJuan McCoy, has faced previous allegations of workplace discrimination. Former news anchor April Simpson also sued the station, claiming she was terminated after questioning unequal pay between male and female anchors. Simpson later received a termination letter from WISH-TV, which cited alleged issues with her appearance, teleprompter skills, and failure to take feedback as reasons for her dismissal. However, Simpson had blindness in her left eye due to a brain tumor, a condition that likely impacted her ability to read the teleprompter.
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Brown Elliot’s last day at the station was February 19. She worked as a meteorologist for over a decade after graduating from Ball State University. At WISH, she mentioned that she was the first Black woman to serve as the chief meteorologist at an Indianapolis TV station.
Conclusion: A Growing Workplace Controversy
The claims made by Ashley Brown Elliott add to ongoing concerns about workplace treatment of Black women in media. Despite WISH-TV being a Black-owned station, accusations of bias, unfair firings, and racial discrimination have raised serious questions.
With April Simpson’s past lawsuit and Brown Elliott’s recent allegations, the station may face increased scrutiny over its hiring and firing practices.
