WNYC and Minnesota Public Radio Present “America: Are We Ready? Racism, Violence, and Our Future Together”

Live national call-in radio show to convene a conversation in this urgent moment

Hosted by WNYC’s KAI WRIGHT, BRIAN LEHRER, and TANZINA VEGA and MPR’s ANGELA DAVIS

Airs nationally tonight from 8-10pm ET on over 270 public radio stations,
including in all top 10 markets 

(NEW YORK — June 1, 2020) — Tonight, WNYC and Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) present “America: Are We Ready? Racism, Violence, and Our Future Together,” a pop-up live call-in show to convene a national conversation in this urgent moment.

Airing on over 270 stations across the country, “America: Are We Ready” will provide a space for listeners to discuss the recent news stories that have sparked outrage, grief, and fear: the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade, the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, the potentially deadly false accusations by a white woman against a black man in Central Park, the stark racial disparity in COVID-19 infections and deaths, as well as the varied responses by elected officials to these issues. 

“America: Are We Ready?” is hosted by WNYC’s Kai Wright (The United States of Anxiety), Brian Lehrer (The Brian Lehrer Show), and Tanzina Vega (The Takeaway), along with MPR’s Angela Davis. 

“In times like these, it’s critical for us to not only report the news, but to give listeners a chance to process it — together,” said Megan Ryan, Head of Live Radio, WNYC. “Tonight’s call-in represents the best of what public radio is uniquely positioned to do: to be responsive to the moment, and bring listeners together from every corner of the country to hear from one another about the enormous pain and anxiety coursing through the nation. We’re proud to partner with MPR to provide a platform for this critical conversation.” 

“America: Are We Ready?” airs from 8-10pm ET on WNYC 93.9 FM and AM 820 in New York, MPR stations across Minnesota, and over 270 additional public radio stations — including stations in all top 10 markets — across the country. The show will also stream online at WNYC.org and MPR.org. Listeners can join in the conversation by calling (844) 745-8255.

Participating stations include: 

Additional stations can be found here; check local listings for schedules.  

“America: Are We Ready” is a series of national call-ins that open up space for listeners and callers across the nation to talk and hear one another against the backdrop of the 2020 election. 

ABOUT WNYC
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most beloved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, The New Yorker Radio Hour, and The Takeaway. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.

ABOUT MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO
Minnesota Public Radio operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states for more than 50 years. Reaching more than 1 million listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services—MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current—produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media, reach 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, and produces award-winning podcasts spanning the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment. For more information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org.