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- EIN 25-1859072
- 412.586.6300
- P.O. Box 100092 Pittsburgh PA 15233 USA
- www.slbradio.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Children & Youth, Education, Radio, Youth Development
Mission: SLB Radio Productions, Inc. (SLB) uses radio and audio to amplify voices of youth—and members of other communities whose stories are often marginalized—to educate, empower, and build community. Our work is based on the principle that all people have the capacity and right to develop their authentic voice and know that their voice matters—that they matter—and that their voice can be used for self-expression, inquiry, and change. SLB incorporates these methods into real world learning opportunities that keep students deeply engaged as they sharpen academic skills (e.g. speaking, active listening, reading, writing); workforce readiness skills (interviewing, working in teams, meeting deadlines, following a process, sifting through data); technical skills (digital storytelling, editing); and life skills (creative expression, critical thinking, confidence, cooperation, respect for others, curiosity).
Results: SLB began operations in 1978 with The Saturday Light Brigade, a weekly public radio program delivering a blend of music, puzzles, interviews, and live performances to a multigenerational audience. Programming grew dramatically between 1990 and 2000, as SLB built a strong, loyal audience and earned 10 local and national awards. During this period, SLB began providing off-air youth workshops in audio technology and self-expression. While successful, using a traditional radio station as the location for these workshops limited the ability to deepen learning experiences. With this objective in mind, SLB formed a 501(c)(3) in 2000 and—with remarkable support from the broadcast industry, foundations, corporations and individual donors—opened a $250,000 studio suite in the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (CMP) in 2004. Our flagship radio program now airs on six radio stations and five streaming platforms. We also operate two stand-alone internet radio stations, including Youth Express (featuring original writing and conversation from teens and recipient of several national and international awards) and iQ Kids Radio (featuring music for young children and operated in collaboration with WQED). Capture and Production: i. School workshops. SLB staff members bring digital recorders, microphones, and podcasting tools to schools and welcomes youth to our studios. ii. Oral history collection. SLB trains youth to interview and record stories from adults. Major projects include: (“Crossing Fences,” “From There to Here,” “Brashear Brings You the World,” and “Girl Talk,” in which African American teen girls interview African American professional women from their neighborhood—it is part oral history, and part mentoring); iii. Youth Media Advocacy Program. In collaboration with Carlow University, SLB brings digital media making tools to high school students in Homewood, the Hill District, West End and Northside to strengthen skills in self-advocacy and the creation of persuasive media); and iv. Youth Express Internships. SLB trains teens to use the tools and practices of professional journalism to create articles, commentaries, and documentaries. More than 100 documentaries have been produced to date on topics ranging from gentrification to solar energy to homelessness. Publishing: i. Live Radio. Broadcast live since 1978, The Saturday Light Brigade is the national award-winning weekly public radio show that led to the launch of SLB as a non-profit in 2000. ii. Youth Express. From poetry to talk shows, hip hop to string quartets, the Youth Express service delivers authentic youth voices via a 24/7 internet radio station, app, and on-demand service. iii. Neighborhood Voices. This online archive includes more than 10,000 assets for public download and streaming. iv. Podcasts. SLB produces three weekly podcasts showcasing voices of marginalized communities. SLB has long been recognized for its innovative approach to delivering world-class programming.
Target demographics: children, youth, and other communities whose stories are often marginalized
Direct beneficiaries per year: SLB has long been recognized for its innovative approach to delivering world-class programming. An international jury recently selected the SLB Youth Express program to represent the City of Pittsburgh at the forthcoming Fall 2019 hundrED Education Innovation Summit in Helsinki, Finland.
Geographic areas served: Western Pennsylvania
Programs: school workshops, oral history collection, youth media advocacy program, youth express internships, and both live radio and podcasts to give those marginalized communities a voice.