Leadership

Two years ago, Youth Radio moved from a storefront in Berkeley to “the forefront” in downtown Oakland when we purchased and developed a 20,000 sq. foot building at the corner of 17th and Broadway. The $5 million dollar capital project converted a former bank into a one-of-a-kind digital Media and Technology Center for diverse youth of whom 80% are low income.

The leadership of Youth Radio, board, staff and youth, planned the campaign, not only for the expanded space and fabulous technology but also as the key strategy for sustainability and growth. The Campaign has been the vehicle for diversifying Youth Radio’s income from 90% foundation based in 2004 to 50% in 2009. Government funding has increased to 30% in 2009.

The Media and Technology Center allowed Youth Radio to create a social enterprise called Youth Media International Network (YMI), a converged media production company and division of Youth Radio. YMI expands our organization’s teaching and media production from Youth “Radio” to include on-line, video and digital media technology development.

With the expansion in facility and programs, Youth Radio expanded its management structure. Ellin O’Leary, who had served as Executive Director, became Chief Content Officer, giving the YMI enterprise the focused leadership it needs to be successful. Jacinda Abcarian, who previously served as Managing Director, became the Executive Director. Abcarian leads the Education and Health Departments as well as the overall Administration of the non-profit. O'Leary leads the YMI Production Company, Media and Technology Departments as well as the underwriting and sponsorship for broadcast, online and technology platforms.

Abcarian and O'Leary manage Youth Radio/YMI as a Management Team, working with the Executive Committee of the Youth Radio Board for key strategic decision making.

The expanded management has resulted in a growth in the agency’s budget, in spite of tough economic times, from $2.7 million in 2007 to $3.5 million in 2009.The $5 million dollar Capital Campaign has $500,000 left to raise before closing the Campaign and the Youth Media International enterprise showed a 12% rate of profitability as of September 30, 2009.

The growth of the organization and the facility has allowed the organization to develop total wraparound services for our students including case management with a licensed clinician who leads the department. In addition, the Health Department has launched a public health media platform that Youth Radio piloted in 2009 as a new social enterprise.