Lamonte Nichols Candidate Statement

This is my second attempt to be a member of the local station board. It is important that I make this my obligation and duty to make change at the ground level and elevate to perfection. I have been a volunteer with WPFW since 2004 and from that level I understood the importance of hands on work to manifest change and that’s exactly what I plan to bring to the local station board.

I was also an intern for the soul controller which is one of the many hip hop shows that are a part of wpfw’s decipher. With that I also understand the need to bring new life, breath and young blood into the airways of this radio station.

The reason why I am running to be a member of the lsb is to establish a bridge…..A bridge between the staff to the listeners; from the listeners to the community and from the community, abroad. Washington DC as a city is on the verge and has been for some time now. Whether that change is positive or negative is up to us as listeners and Washingtonians….We have the power to make that change.

Media is the most important tool in this world to make progress, if you have a voice then you have a choice and with that choice comes responsibility. We want to give opportunities to our young listeners and even those that don’t listen to the station. I want to boost listener ship to extraordinary numbers and provide the station with new, more informative educational shows. This station should be cherished for its individuality. It is the only commercial free and listener supported stations in the DC area. In this capitalistic society in which we live in I feel that is a wonderful to be said about WPFW.

I need your help to make this possible, this is not an individual effort with individual benefits…..it is a collective movement.

When we say that WPFW is the “messenger,” truer words have never been spoken before. Where else can you get quality programming like Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now, 2knation, Mid day jazz with Jared Ball, guy’s groove, we ourselves with Ambrose Lane sr., natural living with Gary Null, decipher, the bama hour, community comment, jazz overnight, metrowatch, and many many more wonderful shows.

No matter how you look at it, WPFW is more than jazz….It’s a legacy that we can pass onto our children and ensure our birthright to free speech, Don’t let this treasure be taken for granted….help me help you. This is a constant effort that must be maintained as long as possible.

I have been endorsed by Thomas Ruffin, Luzette King, Ayo handi kendy, and Zarinah Shakir and I feel obligated to make our listeners proud.

Vote Lamonte Nichols for local station board.

Thank you.