DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY, AND BELONGING
A Message from Our President and CEO, LaFontaine E. Oliver
On July 8th, 2024, WNYC celebrated its Centennial anniversary. That’s 100 years since our signal first hit the airwaves, carrying a bold and aspirational mandate: to be “the voice of New York.”
That first broadcast continues to echo as a credo, a challenge, and a resounding call to action. And today we embrace the challenge of reflecting the voices of all who call New York home.
As a public media organization in one of the most diverse cities in the world, our mission is to bring people together across their many differences and to amplify voices often unheard, ensuring that every story is told with candor, compassion, and a shared appreciation of the human spirit. We are dedicated to reflecting the rich diversity of New York City, and we strive to foster inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and a sense of belonging for all communities we serve. This is the work to which our teams are committed—across our talk shows, our music and culture programming, and our community-powered journalism that lifts up the stories behind the headlines.
WNYC’s Centennial comes at a fortuitous moment and also a critical one. We are living through an incredibly divisive time in an already-divided nation, and one in which both the journalism and arts ecosystems are under threat. Across New York Public Radio, we are using this landmark anniversary as a catalyst—reaffirming our commitment to the ever unfinished ethos laid out in our first broadcast and strengthening our foundations so that we can stand strong for generations to come.
As we step forward into our next chapter, we will deepen our role as a forum where New York itself can speak—in its many accents and textures (where the vibrant tapestry of New York can thrive—engaging in dialogue that celebrates diversity and strengthens our collective narrative). Together, we will serve as a megaphone, lifting up the voices of the city for another century of the New York conversation.
LaFontaine E. Oliver
President and CEO
A Message from Our Chief Diversity Officer, Brenda Williams
As we continue to strengthen Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) at NYPR, I am proud to share our latest report on Year Three of our strategic roadmap entitled Living Our Mission: The Journey to Excellence.
As a public media organization, we feel acutely the responsibility to reflect the diversity of the vibrant communities we serve throughout New York City. To do that, we have centered DEIAB as an integral part of our organizational mindset, informing our journalism, storytelling, conversation, and music programming. This embrace of DEIAB enriches our storytelling and enables us to more authentically engage with our audiences.
Central to our vision for the future is the recognition that belonging extends beyond mere representation and inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all voices are encouraged, valued, and heard within our organization. Our programming grows stronger and richer as we build a more equitable and inclusive workplace culture that empowers every staff member to thrive, grow, and build meaningful careers.
We’ve been at the forefront of this transformative work for many years, and we know that every member of our organization has a crucial role to play. We will continue to listen, engage in meaningful dialogue, and implement strategies that promote equity and inclusion. We understand that DEIAB is not a list of tasks but a fundamental principle that guides our identity and operations.
I am honored to partner with our CEO, LaFontaine Oliver, to lead this work alongside our dedicated senior leadership team, the DEIAB team, and the many colleagues and partners at NYPR who tirelessly advocate for progress. Together, we can forge a path forward that reflects our community’s diversity and richness, ensuring everyone’s voices are heard and valued.
Onward,
Brenda Williams
Chief Diversity Officer
