Atif Coleman

Sustainable and dedicated funding of our WBAI remains my biggest concern and highest priority. FUNDING continue to be elusive. My aim is to improve this process, and look to a similar, user-friendly model for listener engagement and community input.

One of my goals is to build a partnership with local organizations and gifted community members that will enabled us to make strides in closing the achievement gap. I will expand upon those partnerships and more.

As a candidate, I would layout solutions that are built from the ground up. My goal is to listen and, to reach out to those who know our listeners the best, and the staff If WBAI. Their insight and our support from them are critical.

Looking back on my experience in college, it would not have been nearly the same, or nearly as meaningful without my time in college radio. And a big part of this experience was my time spent at Sullivan, where I spent time learning and growing – growing as a leader and a manager, but also personally.

Now that I ended of my career in radio,, it’s important for me to have the opportunity to give back, and to possibly serve as the local station board member.. I want to bring my experience and love for community radio and WBAI with me, and use that to promote positive change to WBAI. I am an incredibly hard worker, and I feel like I have a lot to contribute. It would be an honor to serve AS YOUR BOARD MEMBER.

Your vote matters, be it for myself or someone else. Please vote.

• What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?

  Media experience: Intern at WTJM Jammin 105.1 NY, worked at The Journal News, and currently the Mount Vernon correspondent at BlackWestchester.com

• What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?

  Buddy Program

• What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?

  I am running for local station board because I feel we need to strengthen our programming and membership structure to ensure all underrepresented communities and members can engage with station more frequently and effectively.

• Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.

  If elected, my goal is to make sure we portray WBAI as a community radio station that can provide a valuable service to members of the city, five boroughs, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties and any municipality, in which it serves. In addition to keeping citizens informed of political and national news, community radio can easily keep listeners abreast of important news and happenings at the local level.

• Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?

  Targeted grants. Sponsorships of specific shows, needs. Legacy giving.

• Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?

  I understand the need to integrate needs against realities, especially recalcitrance and lack of funding. Additionally, I’m an advocate for students and mentor to high school students looking to fund, and academically prepare for the university, with and without authorized residency or citizenship.