named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Black Radio Rochester
Youth-produced podcast series exploring the history of Rochester’s first Black radio personalities, Howard Coles and Alma Kelso, and their impact on media representation and social change.
Classes and Workshops
Offers training in video production, podcasting, radio broadcasting, and web design for all ages and experience levels, leading to certification for studio use.
Community Producer Awards
Annual awards recognizing excellence in community radio and television programming on RCTV and WXIR.
Freedom Is Contest
International juried contest inviting expressions of what "Freedom" means, supporting the "Build Strong Children" statue project and promoting free speech and creative inspiration.
Sex Ed Shorts
Youth-centered video series developed with the City of Rochester’s RISE program, addressing topics like dating, STIs, and pregnancy through candid, educational content.
Shameless Talk
Radio show hosted by Lashawndra "Shameless Shawny" Ashford that creates a safe space for open conversations about stigmatized life experiences, including teen parenthood and personal resilience.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Neighborhood Civic Engagement 1 activity
- Community Forum for Free ExpressionProvides a forum for free expression of ideas for residents of Rochester, NY through community media platforms and programming.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Community Media Access and TrainingProvides access to media tools, technology, and training in TV and radio production, editing, podcasting, and web design for individuals in Rochester, NY, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, religion, or heritage. Offers fee-based classes and workshops for adults and youth aged 16 and older, with certification for studio use upon completion.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Community Media Events and RecognitionProduces virtual fundraising events and presents awards to community producers for excellence in programming, such as the Community Producer Award presented to Lashawndra Ashford for her show "Shameless Talk."
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Member-Exclusive Resource Access 1 activity
- Member Access to Production ResourcesProvides members with discounted access to TV studio, editing lab, podcasting lab, meeting spaces, and Adobe Creative software, supporting independent media creation and production.
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Community and Public Broadcasting Services 1 activity
- Operation of Community Television and Radio StationsOperates RCTV, a community-focused television channel available on Spectrum Channel 1301, and WXIR 100.9 FM, an urban alternative radio station broadcasting in Rochester, NY, providing programming focused on local issues and concerns.
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Reproductive Health Advocacy & Education 1 activity
- Production of Educational and Public Service ContentProduces and publishes informational videos on topics such as dating, STIs, and pregnancy featuring health educators, and creates bilingual family literacy video series and public service announcement campaigns for community health organizations.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Production of Original Media ContentProduces award-winning documentaries, podcasts, music videos, narrative films, and youth-produced media content, including public service announcements and special event broadcasts for community partners.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Youth-Led Media and Historical Research ProjectsSupports youth-led research and media production, including a six-month project involving archival work and interviews with local media professionals of color, resulting in the creation and distribution of the podcast series "Black Radio Rochester" with weekly episodes broadcast on WXIR 100.9 FM and online.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- International Contests to Support Statue ProjectLaunches international "Freedom Is" contests to raise funds for the "Build Strong Children" Statue Project and features juried entries on RCTV Media Center's social media and TV channels.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$157K
Contributions & grants$48K30%
Program service revenue$42K27%
Investment income$38K24%
Other revenue$29K
expenses
Total expenses$330K
Program expenses59%
Admin / overhead41%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$151K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.08M
Cash$1.05M
Investments$2K
Liabilities$15K
Net assets$1.07M
Liquid reserves38.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -88.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carvin Eison | General Manager | 40 | $89K |
board members · 6
- Alexander Leonty — Member
- Isaac Bliss — Member
- Kareem Hayes — President
- Miles Hood — Member
- Rev Julius D Jackson — Member
- Zelda Artson-Crichlow — Treasurer
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- City of Rochester RISE Program Partner — Collaborated with RCTV to develop the "Sex Ed Shorts" video series.
- DeAnn DeLeon Partner — Former RCTV producer/director who collaborated on the development of the "Sex Ed Shorts" series.
- Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Partner — Co-presents the "Building Strong Children" statue project and "Freedom Is" Contest with Rochester Community Television Media Center.
- Hipocampo Children's Books Partner — Collaborated with RCTV and Jordan Health Foundation on the production of the bilingual "Tips for Reading" video series.
- Ibero-American Action League Partner — Recognized as a community partner of RCTV.
- Jordan Health Foundation Partner — Partnered with RCTV to produce the "Tips for Reading" video series and the "Jordan Health Minute" PSA campaign.
- Olivia Kim Partner — Artist and sculptor commissioned to create the "Message of Freedom for All" artwork.
- Rochester Area Community Foundation Funder — Provided a Historic Preservation Grant that made the Black Radio Rochester podcast project possible.
- Rochester Museum and Science Center Partner — Hosted original archival research conducted by youth participants for the Black Radio Rochester podcast.
- Spectrum Government — Carries RCTV programming on Channel 1301
- Spectrum Partner — Carries RCTV on Channel 1301
- Trillium Health Partner — Partnered with RCTV to produce the virtual fundraising event "Unfinished Business."
- WXIR 100.9 FM Partner — Broadcast partner that airs the Black Radio Rochester podcast weekly at 5pm.
- WXIR 100.9 FM Partner — Radio station broadcasting the "Shameless Talk" program produced by RCTV.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Authentic Storytelling for Personal and Social Transformationmethodology: authentic-storytellingBy creating safe spaces for individuals to share stigmatized experiences through media, we promote personal empowerment and social change, because authentic narratives challenge stigma and build collective understanding.
- Community Media as Civic Engagementmethodology: community-media-participationBy providing accessible platforms for community members to produce and participate in media, we foster civic engagement and local dialogue, because inclusive media creation strengthens democratic participation and amplifies marginalized voices.
- Youth-Centered Media for Empowerment and Historical Engagementmethodology: youth-centered_educationBy centering youth in media production around topics like sex education and local Black history, we increase engagement and relevance, because age-appropriate, identity-affirming content enables authentic storytelling and intergenerational understanding.