THREAD
1/9 I can't express how sad I am that @OSTtalk has died an ignominious death in Atlanta. Indulge me for a moment while I tell this story that has relevance for public radio's current reckoning on race and diversity.

2/9 I was hired in 2014 by @GPB to create a new daily talk show. I told the leaders at the station that I wanted to create a show that covered news from all communities, without condescending to communities of color or prioritizing the needs of largely white communities.

3/9 I felt I had a good idea about how to attract listeners of color to public radio & welcomed the chance to prove it, to experiment & innovate. We created a show (I had an incredible team) that ultimately had nearly 50% non-white listeners, something unheard of in public radio.

4/9 So, we know this can be done! Public radio doesn't have to serve mostly white, highly educated, financially secure people. It can serve the broader public, as intended. I left behind script templates and rundowns and pages of information about how to book the show and

5/9 continue to produce it in an inclusive way. However, I had no real input on the choice of host to replace me. They chose a great, smart woman who was also white and came from New Hampshire to host a show intended to reach communities of color in Atlanta, MLK's hometown.

6/9 I was told by other journalists of color that they submitted applications & never heard back. When the new staff was hired, they chose not to use the format that had succeeded so beautifully. They dumped the recurring segments that we created in order to force

7/9 the inclusion of diverse stories. They began relying on pundits for interviews and including the voices of more white men. In fiscal year 2018, the most recent data available, sources on weekday news magazine shows were 83% white and 67% male. You have to work hard to change

8/9 that dynamic, and the show no longer chose to put in that work. Please remember this story when you hear that public radio has tried to diversify and it's really, really hard. It's not. We know how to do this. We proved it with @OSTtalk. No one in public radio has ever

9/9 approached me or @LFTeveryvoice to ask for tips or guidance. If you really want to know how to create a show that puts the public back into public radio, contact me. I've been waiting and waiting for someone to ask.

NOTE: I have never before wanted so badly to go back into radio FT.