Youth Radio

Next generation storytellers
Gerald “Whiz” Ward II of Youth Radio accepts the Peabody Award, May 2002

Youth Radio is a Peabody award-winning nonprofit media production company and learning institution in Oakland, California that prepares diverse young people for the 21st-century digital workplace by offering them hands-on education and employment in journalism, arts, and technology, as well as access to support services like academic advising and mental health care. Youth Radio provides the resources and platforms for youth to lead local and national conversations by producing national youth-driven digital and broadcast content on culture, politics and big issues of the day, while serving as National Public Radio, (NPR's} official youth desk and partnering with outlets such as Public Broadcasting service, (PBS), The Huffington Post, National Geographic, and KQED.

Mission

Youth Radio’s mission is to launch young people on education and career pathways in media, technology and creative arts. More than 75% of the high school students they serve each year are low-income or from communities of color. Many are from failing schools.

Youth Radio methodology

  • Education: Youth Radio provides six months of digital media and technology education to diverse, low-income 14-to-24-year-old young people throughout the Bay Area in journalism, music production, design and code.[1]
  • Employment: Program graduates are eligible for jobs throughout Youth Radio’s Peabody Award-winning media production company.
  • Support Services: Participants receive wraparound services including case management, referrals to partner service providers, nutritional support and academic/career advising to support the realization of their personal goals.

Impact

  • Youth Radio journalism reaches an audience of 30 million people.
  • Last year, Youth Radio students had a 97% high school graduation rate and an 87% college enrollment rate.
  • Youth Radio provides more than 250 paid internships per year to young people and our externship program provides direct employment in the communications sector.
  • Youth Radio services are provided at no cost to participating youth.

History

Founded in 1993 in Berkeley during a period of heightened youth violence and homicide, Youth Radio was established as an outlet for Bay Area youth to process their experiences and provide an alternative perspective to the prevailing media dialogue. In 2007, Youth Radio moved its headquarters to downtown Oakland, helping transform an under-invested part of the city into a world-class center of art, commerce, and culture.

Youth Radio operates bureaus in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.

Selected accolades

Divisions of Youth Radio

All Day Play: Youth Radio’s eclectic online radio station, featuring music from emerging artists and diverse subgenres. Get exposed to a wide spectrum of musical tastes, news, and commentary from Youth Radio’s all-stars, plus mix shows from top Bay Area DJs.[4]

outLoud: Youth Radio’s program dedicated to increase the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer young people by helping them develop the skills and confidence to decide for themselves how they will be represented, advance social justice and make the most of their lives.[5]

Notes

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