Inclusion on All Sides of the Microphone

RALPH POYNTER PRESENTE!

Ralph Poynter

one more dawn

is won over the night

as the last dark clouds

give way to the light

a candle of hope

i lit for you

throws vibrant shadows

on my wall

and they tell me your breath is as strong

as the love of the struggle

that keeps re-igniting its flame

we know the only real fireworks

are lit by your Revolutionary Spirit

every day of the year

Ralph,

there will be many fiery dawns

with you at our side

~~ Julia Wright

Ralph Poynter passed away peacefully at the age of 89, on Christmas day, December 25th, 2023. He is survived by his longtime companion Betty Davis, seven children, fourteen grandchildren, three (soon to be four) great grandchildren, as well as extended family, comrades and friends.

TRIBUTES: Sunday 1/7/24

CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Monday 1/8/24

In Love and Struggle: What They Gave, Next Generation, Change the World

We know that while eyes are trained on Gaza, atrocities are being committed elsewhere. Pay close attention!

Events do not occur in isolation. Context matters. Peace cannot exist without justice.

We oppose discrimination, colonialism, occupation, and genocide, and we join the demand for a ceasefire in Palestine, NOW!

Resources:

Find a Protest: Stop the Gaza Genocide

ei: The Electronic Intifada

A Jewish Voice for Peace

What They Gave, Next Generation, Change the World

Dear WBAI Family,

We wish you well. Please feel free to share these community and station updates with family and friends.

‘TIS THE ANCESTORS’ BREATH

Nomsa BrathNomsa Brath

It is with praise that we observe the transition of Nana Nomsa Brath–a remarkable woman, mother, activist, and original Grandassa model who affirmed that Black Is Beautiful. She was also the life partner of the late Elombe Brath.

HOMEGOING SERVICES WILL BE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2-5PM. Unity Chapel is at 2352 Frederick Douglass Blvd near West 127 Street in Harlem.

More about Sister Nomsa:

Video: Nomsa Brath aka Helene Brathwaite a Pioneer of her time

Amsterdam News: Helene ‘Nomsa’ Brath, freedom fighter and companion to Elombe Brath, passes at 81

William Heerwagen

William HeerwagenWith heartbreak, we say so-long to our beloved and irreplaceable William-not Bill-Heerwagen.

A BAI listener since the 1970’s, he hosted the overnight program “Jazz and Things” until it was cancelled by internal censors citing the rebroadcast of a news report about the Pacifica National Board.

William volunteered in the Tally (phone) room and at events, and served on the Local Station Board and the national board. A man of numbers–accounting and auditing–he was well-read and knew lyrics for every situation and emotion.

Robert Sims

Robert SimsRob Sims–the Big Boss with the hot sauce–was the former senior producer and engineer of “On the Count”. Like all the show’s staff, he spent time in the criminal justice system. He was in prison 15 years for a crime he did not commit.

While inside, he studied, then worked as a Peer Counselor and in Transitional Services. Once home, he counseled people with substance use problems and helped justice-involved young people positively reconnect with their families.

He made a difference.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The Honorable Yusef SalaamYusef Salaam won the primary in June but on November 7, it became official when he was elected New York City Councilperson for District 9.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things do not go well for our children. Congratulations, Sister Sharonne, on having reared some fine human beings in the face of “ordinary” US-brand racism and the conspiracy to imprison your teenaged son, Yusef, and his co-exonerees.

We are proud of them and happy to have you among us.

Esquire: Yusef Salaam and the Act of Forgiveness

Cover Illustration: Norman Jean Roy

LOCAL STATION BOARD ELECTIONS

Thank you for your support in the recent Local Station Board (LSB) election! Half of the 12 open seats were won by Justice & Unity members and candidates we recommended.

After not having LSB/Delegate elections in 2022 and choosing to illegally extend board member terms instead of seating runners-up as our bylaws require, the Pacifica Foundation held elections this year.

The process was bad from beginning to end with many violations of policy and process. From gifting the job of National Election Supervisor without a search or Request for Proposals, to changing the length of service during the election, to moving goalposts for some candidates, to increasing penalties after punishments had been applied, to retroactively disqualifying a candidate after the election without previous notice, incompetence, partisanship, and corrupt behavior ruled.

The new LSB sits on Wed., Dec. 13 at 7pm. Please be there:

ZOOM WEB:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9224572995?pwd=RzFFVzZkTlNtVzlxTzZQeVRKUW9RZz09

Meeting ID: 922 457 2995

Passcode: 99599599

ZOOM PHONE: +19292056099,,9224572995#,,,,*99599599# US (New York)

CONTINUE THE FIGHT

Despite or because of what is happening in the world, our fight for justice and peace must continue.

WBAI is precious to us because of the knowledge we have garnered, the relationships which it introduced, and for its role as a megaphone for movements to unwind hatred and discrimination and to increase peace and justice.

Let’s keep it!

Stay strong and pay close attention.

WBAI Justice & Unity Campaign

We Are All We Have And It Is Enough

Dear WBAI Family,

Perhaps you don’t normally vote in WBAI elections, but things are NOT normal.

Please vote in these Local Station Board Delegate elections. It will make a difference.

My experiences as a founder of People United for Children which changed laws for families involved with NY’s foster care system and my life as mother of one of the Exonerated 5–from their arrests in 1989 to the 2022 naming of the Central Park “Gate of the Exonerated” illustrates how media imbedded in the community can help build momentum for social change.

WBAI is where ordinary people turn to get our words out and must remain a tool for community action. We must rebuild and strengthen our station.

Please take a few minutes to read the below letter from my colleague Cerene Roberts. And, to paraphrase Bernard White, pay close attention.

Yours,

Sharonne Salaam

WE MUST SAVE OURSELVES AND WE CAN

WE MUST:

  • quickly expand listenership by popularizing the station among people who can benefit from the information we have

    Our communities need improved physical and mental health, safe and affordable housing, and platforms to discuss perspectives and plans that represent our interests and concerns.

  • establish contact with the next generations of listeners/supporters/builders by involving them in every level of station operations and utilizing available technology

    Let’s dialogue and evolve. Create a youth council and intergenerational training and internship programs. It’s not a physical radio OR podcasting, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube. It’s all that and more!

  • analyze station spending and increase our income using the steps outlined above and more

    Set priorities, explore new approaches, and utilize established and new strategies to develop greater giving by a larger proportion of listeners. Create media partnerships.

  • evaluate management and demand they fairly evaluate all staff and create a transparent process for programming and hiring decisions

    Critical examination, goal-setting, and accountability are tools for improvement and growth; loyalty oaths are not. “In management we trust” is not responsible oversight.

  • create local and national board majorities that will handle their responsibilities.

    Locally and nationally there has been abysmal failure regarding community needs assessments, regular and honest communication with members, financially stabilizing the network, making good management hires, respecting workers’ rights, and complying with our constitution / bylaws.

There’s always more to say.

Stay close…

DECIDE TOWIN

The Prize: A Thriving WBAI

The Goal: Independent news, views, music, and arts for and from our communities

The Path: Accountable management, an oversight Board with integrity, Creative, multicultural and intergenerational collaborations

Your Membership Matters!

To keep track of the behavior of the

People In Governance

at Pacifica visit:

PacificaFightback.org

MEMBERS

Continuing to strengthen WBAI Radio by:

  • deepening and broadening its community involvement
  • community training in all aspects of radio production
  • lobbying for fair and respectful processes for unpaid staff
  • developing multimedia partnerships
In all of this, centering disfranchised and marginalized people including youth.

SOME LINKS

FEED YOUR MIND-SPIRIT

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR & YOUR ‘HOOD

Prepare for Local Station Board Elections Summer ’23. A $25 Donation between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 will qualify you to run and/or vote.

Stay strong and pay close attention! Enjoy Labi Siffre’s “Something Inside So Strong

Stay Up to Date!

Get Voter Info and periodic updates from the Justice & Unity Campaign.

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