Listen Up Youth Radio

“Listen up has been such a big part of my life, not just this summer but this entire year since I started. I have developed so many excellent relationships through Listen up, professional and friendships, that I hope will continue to strengthen over the years. Listen Up is such a safe space for me, thanks to [everybody] on the team.”

- Youth Media Collective member

This Give to the Max Day, we are asking you to support Listen Up Youth Radio's work in expanding our media mentorship programming!  The Youth Media Collective provides youth with competitive jobs, media literacy, leadership development, and opportunities to build community - helping run our organization and teaching other young people the skills they've learned.  Mentorship has been part of Listen Up's model since we began, and we're excited to pair our young people to professionals who can support them on their own journeys as young leaders and audio storytellers. To ensure we have the capacity to teach and mentor new and returning Youth Media Collective members, our total goal is to raise $5,000 this Give to the Max day!

“I've gotten to produce and create my own storytelling media, and I've been able to help people create their own now too. It's a really positive work environment that I look forward to coming to every day.”

- Youth Media Collective member

LISTEN TO OUR PRODUCERS' STORIES HERE

Our mission: To provide Twin Cities youth with access to radio and dig media, tools to build community through media justice, and opportunities to amplify voice and leadership.

“In this digital era when people are being propped up for harmful rhetoric it’s important to show youth the actual craft of journalism, how to research your interviewee, and produce a story that is both insightful and entertaining without punching down on their character.”

- Listen Up Mentor

In the last year we:

Offered 5,000+ hours of professional work experience for 20 young people

Had 11 youth in leadership positions

Aired 26 unique episodes of youth-produced content on our partner station WFNU (and counting)

Paired youth with 9 professional mentors from media and other industries

Want to dive deeper? Check our our latest Impact Report! 

“As I was recording and talking to my peers or interviewees I felt myself over time being more cognizant on how I present my self in a positive manner. Also since I hade to actually research my topic and gather the opinions of others I had to actually go out into the community and network to find people, which was a good way to get out of my shell”

- Summer Media Intensive alumni

As a small, BIPOC-led organization working predominantly with folks who are BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, and/or female, and who self-identify as low- to moderate-income, every $5 or $500 makes an enormous difference for us!

“[Listen Up] helped me strengthen my ethic in leadership roles [and my ability] to facilitate, teach and mentor! I’ve learned how to love media through Listen Up and how my voice is important.”

- Summer Media Intensive youth facilitator

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“It helped me connect with new people and find many resources in the community. I've also been able to find out that I really enjoy audio engineering, which is something I wouldn't have guessed before.”

- Summer Media Intensive alumni

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Without you this wouldn't all be possible.
Thank you for choosing to invest in youth voices and media justice!

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