IT’S ON!!! Thanks to the African People’s Education and Defense Fund (APEDF), Africans locally in St. Petersburg, FL. can now hear the glorious sounds of resistance on their FM radio dial. This is a great victory for our community!
The switch was flipped and Black Power 96.3 FM went live on the airwaves in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The excitement couldn’t be contained as comrades ran out to their vehicles to hear Black Power on the radio.
It was recognized as a great step towards African self-determination, being able to explain the world and change the world on the FM airwaves.
Black Power 96.3 FM is the latest project of APEDF, the baddest not-for-profit organization in the world. Led by it’s President, Ona Zené Yeshitela, APEDF’s mission is to defend the democratic and human rights of the African community and to address the grave disparities in health, education and economic development. Black Power 96 radio certainly does that!
Both the tower and the studios have been built at the Uhuru House, and a property owned and controlled by APEDF. We own it and we control it!
Black Power 96 radio is proud to join APEDF’s long line of smashingly successful institutions such as Uhuru Furniture and Collectibles in Oakland and Philadelphia and the TyRon Lewis All People’s Gym in St. Petersburg.
Programs are going viral!
Things are moving fast now that Black Power 96 is live. Currently beta testing, Station Manager Themba Tshibanda is working towards perfecting the station by adding and playing great community produced and revolutionary music along with the spoken wisdom of African leaders from throughout history.
The New Year’s Day episode of “Africa Live” featured African People’s Socialist Party Chairman Omali Yeshitela and African Socialist International Secretary General Luwezi Kinshasa as they discussed the year’s achievements and the way forward.
A buzz is building in the local community. “We are going to change some things! We are inserted into the community. Now our voices will be heard. ‘Cause you know what time it is? It’s Black Power 96.3 time.” says Marques, host of Marques Inspires, a new show on APEDF’s radio station.
Black Power 96 officially launches with a full programming schedule in February, 2017! The station will also be having a day-long celebration on Saturday, February 18th with open house tours of the studio, ribbon cutting, food vendors and an evening celebration in Akwaaba Hall to commemorate this historical event.
Black Power 96 is dual and contending power
Over 90 percent of the radio airwaves in the U.S. are controlled by six corporations. Black Power 96 FM stands tall as a non-commercial radio owned and controlled by the African community, operated in the interests of the African working class and our revolutionary struggle for freedom and self-determination.
The white rulers use radio to define the African community in so many negative ways, promoting horizontal violence and justifying their exploitation of our people. Black Power 96 gives our people the information and confidence to overturn the system that oppresses African and other colonized peoples.
Black Power 96 FM brings you all facets of African music as well as news from Africa, the Caribbean, and abroad.
Be it through music, news, or regular show programming, radio provides a platform to reach people on every single level. It’s a reflection of the community, our voices, lifestyles, and ideals.
The development of Black Power 96 FM also gives our community the training and skills to operate the technology and equipment involved in mass media.
The African People’s Socialist Party salutes the African People’s Education and Defense Fund for this great advance and calls on our members and followers to support Black Power 96.
Remember, Black Power 96 belongs to the community! That means all hands on deck! We need volunteers, show programmers, DJ’s, anyone who may be interested in radio! Your donations are needed as well, anything that you’re able to give. We want to give the community a voice and we can’t do that without the community!
Black Power 96 is your music, your voices, your news, your lifestyle!
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What you can do
- Join the team. We need audio editors, producers, voiceover talent, researchers, and writers!
- Become a Supporting Member. All donations are tax deductible. Tune in online from February 19 – 25 for special programming during our first On-Air Member/Fund Drive.
- Become an Underwriter. Your donations are tax deductible and you will receive mentions on-air for your business, organization or event.
- Send us your music or programming ideas.
In St. Pete? Join us for:
- Saturday, Feb. 18, 3pm til dark: Launch party in the parking lot of the Uhuru House, with open tours of the studio.
- ■ Saturday, Feb18: “First Date” night at Akwaaba Hall. This event is a follow-up from the Akwaaba Hall Valentine’s Day “Speed Dating” event.
- ■ February 19-25: Volunteers needs for Black Power 96’s first On-Air Member/Fund Drive.
Contact us at info@blackpower96.org for more info!
Our Black Music, Our Black Voices, Our Black Media!
Uhuru!
