Youth Radio

YR Media (formerly Youth Radio) is an American non-profit youth media organization. It was first established in Berkeley, California, and it moved to Oakland in 2007. The organization has been inactive since October 2024.

YR Media was founded by Ellin O'Leary in 1993, who served as its first Executive Director. YR Media advocated for youth participation in media and journalism. YR Media also operated in Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.

YR Media has worked with outlets including Teen Vogue, NPR, Pandora, and The New York Times.

Advocacy efforts

YR Media engaged with youth on education and career pathways in media, technology and creative arts. YR served predominantly racial minorities and low-income communities.

YR Media ran training programs with technology education, and program graduates became eligible for jobs at YR Media.

History

Youth Radio was founded in 1993 as Youth Radio in Berkeley, California. In 2007, Youth Radio moved its headquarters to downtown Oakland. In 2007, Youth Radio reported on the importance of the youth vote at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 2021, the organization expanded to Chicago.

In October 2024, the organization paused operations amid financial difficulties. YR Media laid off employees on November 8, 2024, and shut down indefinitely, although the organization's leadership said they hoped to reopen in the future.

Awards George Foster Peabody Award – 2001, 2011 Edward R. Murrow Award – 2001, 2005, 2010, 2011 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award–2010 President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Award – 2012 Red Cross Heroes Award – 2010 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award – 2000

Divisions

All Day Play: YR Media had a radio station that aired commentary, news, and music.

Remix Your Life: YR Media's music production and distribution label.

Adult ISH: YR Media had a culture, storytelling and advice talk show podcast produced by people who are almost adults. ADULT ISH was hosted by Nyge Turner and Merk Nguyen.

Youth Radio

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