Current (https://current.org/project-status/semi-finalist/page/4/)
The Life Autistic is an extensive multi-platform project that explores the lives of Iowans with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It features people of different ages and abilities who each have a unique story to tell and delves into their challenges and successes.
You Know the Place (YKTP) is a podcast that examines the small local businesses most of us never enter or even notice. YKTP gos to the stores overlooked by any form of media to ask: What do you sell or make? Who’s your customer? How long have you been in business? How do you compete with Walmart and Amazon? Hosted by two local writers, YKTP will enter its fourth season with 18,000 loyal users and more than 33,000 regular downloads.
The Rapidian is an online platform for citizen journalism where community members can share positive stories about their neighborhoods and post calendar listings of events in Western Michigan. The Rapidian aims to fill the void in a local news desert that lacks even a daily newspaper. It is a collaboration between Grand Rapids Television (GRTV), WCYE-FM, and The Wealthy Theater.
The “Only Here” podcast provides an intimate look at one of the world’s busiest border crossings, where San Diego and Tijuana meet. Over time, the podcast has attracted an audience on both sides of the border with stories about the culture and creativity forged in this tense region. Hosted by a member of a bilingual hip-hop band in Tijuana, the podcast deepens understanding and connection between listeners on both sides of the border.
Catalyst Radio is the weekly public affairs radio program of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, Community Media Center. It features interviews with organizations and people working on social change, community support, and media issues. This effort is a partnership between The Rapidian, an online platform for community journalism, and WYCE, an independent community radio station in Grand Rapids.
“Working Together” is an ongoing project to establish deep and meaningful connections with the Alaska Native community in Southeast Alaska. KTOO partners with the local Native communities to use television, radio, and engagement events to preserve Native languages, cultures, and identity.
The Bay is a local KQED podcast about news and information relevant to the local community. The team has hosted several well-attended live events and has created spaces, both in person and digital, where community members can connect with one another and the podcast. It connects with younger audiences and fills a gap in KQED’s traditional television and radio programming lineup.
BenitoLink is a hyperlocal nonprofit news organization launched by two young Latinx staff members with support from a local United Way grant. It is working to expand the voice of the Latino community in the region by making sure its news coverage reflects the local demographics, and developing a youth program that teaches journalism and work skills.
A Parent’s Guide to Public Schools is a free magazine-style guide from Voice of San Diego that is distributed to 50,000 families annually. It aids parents in making decisions about their children’s education by providing an overview of every public school’s performance in easy-to-read charts and answering common questions about local public school options.
Using GroundSource text messaging technology, 100 Days in Appalachia conducted a poll of voting-age Appalachian high school students ahead of the 2018 midterm election, asking about their stances on some of the most hot-button political issues, including immigration, gun control, abortion, LGBTQ rights, etc. The results were shared openly with local, regional, and national media outlets to inform their reporting about the politics of this group in the region.
Cincinnati Public Radio’s Classics for Kids program introduces thousands of children to classical music in a fun way through lesson plans, online games, email newsletters for teachers and parents, partnerships with local music organizations, and events.
KUOW’s Curiosity Club is a nerdy supper club exploring the possibility that great food and compelling storytelling can transform a group of diverse strangers into a community. It’s like a bookless book club for public radio nerds.
KMUW’s Engage ICT events are free, monthly panel discussions with local experts that focus on topics that touch Wichita citizens’ daily lives, giving them a chance to directly ask questions and spark civic engagement. Previous topics have included climate change, Medicaid expansion, and education funding.
“Phenology” is a program from KAXE/KBXE featuring local student reporting on natural phenomena and the changing seasons. The “Phenology” team works with 15 different schools around the state and both broadcasts and podcasts kids’ nature reports once a week.
Hive is WFDD’s multi-tiered education program that empowers people to learn, ask questions, think critically, and care about their community through storytelling. Though primarily youth-focused, Hive serves people ages 10 – 65+ through a variety of programs, including a summer student Radio Camp, Radio 101 classes in local schools and colleges, after-school intensives, and pocket edition workshops.
Issues & Ale is Michigan Radio’s ongoing community event series designed to engage people in conversations about important issues facing the region in an informal atmosphere. The public is invited to learn more about a specific topic from a panel of experts and then join in with their questions and comments. Discussions are hosted by Michigan Radio on-air anchors or reporters and are held in brew pubs, sports bars, and taverns across Michigan.
The Howl Story Slam is an ongoing, live storytelling competition developed by North Country Public Radio to connect the people and communities of New York State in and above the Adirondacks. Each event involves local businesses and community members. Individual storytellers of all ages compete in local events with the winners of local story slams advancing to a “Grand Slam” finale. Audio and video of the slams are posted on NCPR.org.
Valley Sounds is an all-local show featuring original music from classical to rap to punk to country to gospel to electronica and everything in between, all performed in the Tennessee Valley. Artists are encouraged to submit their recordings to Valley Sounds online or at an in-person meet and greets. The meet and greets, held at local bars and music venues, act as a community producers meeting, where musicians and fans can share ideas about the show.
Amplifier is a biweekly podcast that shines a light on Charlotte’s local music scene. More than 500 musicians have submitted their songs and shared their experiences. It features everything from award-winning jazz singers to emerging pop acts, DIY venue owners to established record producers, and beyond. Amplifier was named Charlotte Magazine’s “Best Podcast”, and received a Webby Award for innovation in music/arts podcasting.
“Framed by WDET” is a multimedia series that integrates photography and audio storytelling to present the story of Detroit’s ethnic and cultural communities on the radio, online, in a photobook, and at pop-up exhibitions in more than 20 art spaces in the Detroit region and beyond. It explores the moments and spaces that Detroiters share with one another through the work of 18 Detroit-based photographers and audio producers.