Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

MPR NEWS PRESENTS 2021 RADIO CAMP

Public invited to June 28 Radio Camp celebration featuring MN Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, musical guest BE

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 14, 2021 – This month, MPR News will team up with community partners to mentor the next generation of journalists through Radio Camp. The first of two consecutive week-long camps kicks off today, bringing Black, Indigenous and youth of Color and mentors from MPR’s three services together to develop storytelling, digital and audio skills that campers can one day translate into a journalism career.

Sixteen students from the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota will attend this year’s Radio Camp. MPR News – in partnership with ThreeSixty Journalism at the University of St. Thomas, MIGIZI, KRSM 98.9 LPFM (Pillsbury United Communities), and American Indian Family Center – will host each camp in a virtual setting.

The goal of Radio Camp is to provide opportunities for Minnesota youth of diverse backgrounds to tell their stories and those of their communities. Through mentorship and training with MPR News, YourClassical and The Current staff, campers get firsthand exposure to field recording, interviewing, writing stories and voicing their own scripts.

By the end of Radio Camp, campers will have their own audio story recorded. Each camper’s story will focus on this year’s theme: youth interviewing youth about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest. The second camp, starting June 21, will focus on Indigenous narratives.

“The news media plays a big role in how Minnesota sees itself and the world, and we know the future of journalism depends on young people – their perspectives matter,” said Ka Vang, MPR’s Director of Impact and Community Engagement. “Radio Camp is an opportunity to connect BIPOC youth voices with mentors to learn more about radio and journalism and hopefully inspire them to consider this career path. Their voices will be critical to ensuring the future of journalism represents and serves more communities.”

Radio Camp was created in memory of Toni Randolph, a longtime MPR News employee and champion of inclusive newsrooms and BIPOC students, who passed away in July 2016. After Randolph’s passing, the idea of a radio camp for young people, particularly those from underrepresented populations, was hatched.

Virtual Celebration

Upon the conclusion of Radio Camp, MPR News, ThreeSixty Journalism at the University of St. Thomas, MIGIZI, KRSM 98.9 LPFM, and the American Indian Family Center invite the public to join in celebrating the completed projects of campers at a virtual celebration.

This celebration will be held on Monday, June 28, at 5:30 p.m. Central. Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will offer remarks, musical guest BE. will perform, and attendees will experience highlights from this year’s two camps. The celebration is free and open to everyone. Register to attend via Zoom here.

About MPR News

MPR News has long been recognized as one of the foremost journalistic organizations in the Upper Midwest, reaching news consumers across all platforms. Reaching more than 500,000 listeners each week, the MPR News radio signal can be heard by 95 percent of Minnesotans. MPR News has received numerous awards for its reporting, including George Foster Peabody Awards, the Alfred I. DuPont Award and the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award. Visit mprnews.org for the latest regional, national and international headlines.

 

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