YR Media

Based in downtown Oakland, Youth Radio is one of the nation�s premier youth-media training and development organizations. With a focus on creating career and education pathways for youth, Youth Radio participants and paid interns produce award-winning multimedia content and live performances that fuse journalism, the arts, and technology innovation to engage local and national communities. The 300 youth served annually are predominately low-income, of color, and system engaged. To support the unique needs of this group of young people, Youth Radio provides intensive wrap-around services, including case management, health and nutrition services, and employment and academic advisement to bolster youth success. Media produced by youth reach 22 million listeners nationwide, and local performance events reach audiences of 5,000 annually. First-time Hewlett Foundation support would assist Youth Radio in strengthening and formalizing Arts Pathways, its cornerstone introductory youth engagement programming, which teaches standards-based hip-hop arts and media production. During the grant period Youth Radio intends to create a community engagement and marketing plan to maximize the value of its youth-led storefront arts space, 1719 Broadway, and further develop its arts curriculum.

Youth Radio, doing business as YR Media, is an Oakland-based media production company that trains young people in digital media and technology. The organization annually serves approximately 250 Oakland youth, 90% of which are youth of color, 80% of which are low-income, and 30% that are engaged in the juvenile justice system. Youth, who participate free of charge, learn to produce media for mass audiences infused with their perspectives on issues of local and national concern. The organization is a national network that publishes content from 188 correspondents in 30 states.