Dear WBAI Family,

Is WBAI essential?

If there is even one program that brings you joy, clarity, or contrast, we invite you to have your say in the WBAI Local Station Board election.

There’s little time left to affect who will make decisions about the management, financial priorities, and political direction of the station.

By Monday, September 30, the local board will be locked for years.

Change direction by voting for Justice & Unity!

What’s the difference between Justice & Unity and the “INDY” group?

You know the positions and the work of Justice & Unity folks:

• Ancestors like Ralph Poynter, Lynne Stewart, Father Lawrence Lucas, and Eddie Ellis

• Former members like Ray LaForest, Sister Betty Dopson, Michael Tarif Warren, Panama Alba, Sara Flounders, Nana Camille Yarbrough, and Nia Bediako

• Endorsers like the People’s Organization for Progress

• Candidates like Mt. Vernon’s Bounubti Kamenthou FKA Geoff Monroe, Queen Mother Imakhu AKA Elaine Lloyd-Nazario, Plainfield’s John Brinkley, and former educator Rachel Barr

On the other side is the “INDY” board majority that has been in place for more than 15 years. They have not provided effective oversight:

• failed to regularly evaluate management or require them to regularly evaluate staff

• repeatedly punted on deficit budgets sending them to the national board without recommendation

• refused to ensure monies were reserved to obtain premiums promised to listeners

• blocked discussion of the possibility of individual hardship membership fee waivers

Local board members will comprise one-fifth of the national board that runs our small but influential alternative media network.

Should WBAI have programming by youth and about alternative health and wellness, parenting, and senior life? Yes, but more than missing coverage of specific topic areas, we need fair and clear processes for how people and programs come and go.

We urgently need transparency throughout the network. And we need people committed to our communities and to focusing on organizational growth.

We need meetings where REAL discussions happen, where decisions aren’t made before the agenda appears, where the listeners are allowed to share information and perspectives.

HERE ARE SOME ELECTION BASICS

WHO CAN VOTE?

Anyone who donated at least $25 between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Households that jointly gave $50 or more can request their second ballot using a separate email address.

WHERE’S THE BALLOT?

The link to vote online is in an email from

Pacifica Foundation Inc “invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com”

OR

A text message from: (877) 225-8712

If not found, immediately request one using this form without signing into Google:

HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT:

WHO TO RANK:

To maximize the effect of your vote and create a functional board majority, please assign only these rankings:

• Rachel Barr ……………………….5

• John Brinkley …………………….3

• James Bryan ……………………..7

• Elaine Lloyd-Nazario
  (Queen Mother Imakhu) …..4

• Bounubti Kamenthou
  (Geoff Monroe) ………………….2

• Sharonne Salaam …………….1

• Corazón L. Valiente ………….6

• Barbara White
  unaligned …………………………..8

What 2025 will bring in government is uncertain, but you can get Pacifica ready by choosing people who can handle adversity in the world and inside the network, and maximize diversity.

WBAI can come back!

We’re not what we used to be and not what we’re going to be, but we are still here! You can make the future happen or let others decide.

Arnold from Peekskill, Darryl “Goodsearch” McPherson, Fidel from Jersey, Judith from the Upper Westside, “L” from Long Island, Ma’at from the grotto, Russell from White Plains, and Thomasina, the teacher are familiar, if not treasured, voices.

As they use their words to shape the conversation, we want you to use your ballot to shape the station’s future!

Listeners must remain our primary means of support and always be at the table. The next generation of broadcaster must be welcomed in!

Don’t let member-democracy become a back-in-the-day story.

Use your Ballot.

And please vote Justice and Unity.

Sincerely,

Sharonne Salaam

Errol Maitland

PS: If you’re in NYC, you are invited to attend the co-naming of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. and West 112th Street in the Village of Harlem as HELENE NOMSA BRATH WAY on SAT. 9/28/24, 1-3PM. Presentation in front of 1865 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (btw. 113 & 114 Streets) Harlem 10026

• Nomsa Brath aka Helene Brathwaite a Pioneer of her time (YouTube)

• The Elombe Brath Foundation, Inc. (website)

• Elombe Brath Foundation (facebook)