KTSU 90.9FM has received a $150,000 grant from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to help lead a COVID-19 outreach campaign targeting underserved communities hit hardest by the pandemic.
KTSU, based on the campus of Texas Southern University, was selected to lead the national campaign efforts for all 15 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) public radio stations selected to participate in the public outreach campaign.
"HBCU public radio stations serve as a vital connection to African American communities," said KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker. "KTSU is pleased to lead this effort among other HBCU stations to provide lifesaving information to fight the pandemic on our campuses and in our larger communities."
In support of this initiative, KTSU launched the “Save A Life” campaign. The campaign's goal is to provide trusted, lifesaving information to populations that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. As the public radio station lead, KTSU will create multimedia content and distribute funds to the HBCU stations to produce additional content and engagement materials. The campaign will highlight local health officials and community leaders from each city and state. The aim is to motivate and engage minority communities to continue to mask up, social distance, get tested, receive the vaccine and support mental health.
"The African-American community has been struck significantly since the inception of COVID-19, particularly in the areas of access to COVID-19 vaccinations and in the effects the disease has had on families' mental health," said Walker.
Station participation will include:
Alabama: WJAB, Normal; WVAS. Montgomery
Georgia: WCLK, Atlanta
Mississippi: WJSU, Jackson; WURC, Holly Springs; WPRL, Lorman
Missouri: KJLU, Jefferson City
North Carolina: WNCU, Durham; WRVS, Elizabeth City; WSNC, Winston-Salem
Ohio: WCSU, Wilberforce
Texas: KTSU, Houston; KPVU, Prairie View
South Carolina: WSSB, Orangeburg
Virginia: WNSB, Norfolk For more information about KTSU 90.9Fm, visit www.ktsuradio.com. For more information about The Vibe, visit www.vibehouston.com.
(This post was taken from a KTSU press release)
