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Sonja Elise Freeman (Staff Candidate)

Candidate Statement

Some actions I would like to take to increase the diversity of the listening audience is to build a stronger and more structured volunteer program to target high school and college students. I would like for the Local Station Board at KPFT to be involved in sponsored events solely organized by students as well as participate in career fairs and to introduce students to opportunities in non-profit organizations and the importance of continuing community service.

Some funding I feel KPFT should solicit are private foundations, fraternities, sororities, churches, entrepreneurs. KPFT should also begin to organize galas, auctions and musical showcases featuring mainstream and local artists six months to a year in advance.

I am a singer, songwriter, producer and radio personality as well as a proud graduate of Willowridge High School and Prairie View A&M University. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music-Voice with a Minor in Fashion Merchandising and Design. I interned at KPVU 91.3 FM for a year on The Rod Goodman Show as the “News Girl.” I later worked at Borders Group Inc. where I founded a songwriters’ forum that received rave reviews in Billboard Magazine in 1998, 1999, and 2001. I also worked at Atlantic Records, Elektra, Warner Music Group and Nonesuch Records in the Marketing and Publicity departments. In 2002 I worked at WNYE 91.5 FM as a Voice Imaging Specialist in Brooklyn, New York at Medger Evers College. I am presently the Producer and Host for “Divine Voices with Queen Diva.” It is a late night talk show where guests share their life story through their “divine voice.” I have over ten years experience in radio broadcasting, production, marketing, promotions, publicity and community outreach. I am very much interested in becoming active in the community outreach, programming diversity, volunteer recruitment and training as well as community events. I do not anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family job related problems or inadequate transportation.

Candidate Questionnaire

1. Why do you want to be on the Local Station Board?
   I would like to be on the Local Station Board at KPFT because I'd like to assist in building the community outreach department to target the urban communities.I'm particularly interested in reaching our youth ages 12-25 to become more involved with the radio station in everything from volunteering to programming.
   
2. How do you envision the Local Station Board working with the Pacifica Foundation, KPFT and the community?
   I envision the Local Station Board working with the Pacifica Fountain, KPFT and the community through town meetings at community centers in Third Ward, Fifth Ward, Sunnyside, Northside, First Ward and Green Acres. The Local Station Board at KPFT could begin building partnerships with the black media such as African-American News & Issues, The Defender, and Rolling Out Magazine just to name a few.
   
3. How could the station better serve it's listeners?
   KPFT could better serve the community by becoming more prominent in the urban communities at block parties, bazaars, picnics, festivals, galas, new building ground breaking ceremonies, conferences, conventions, school, churches and so much more.
   
4. Describe some actions you would take to increase the influence of the station in underrepresented communities and to increase the diversity of the listening audience? Some actions I would like to take to increase the diversity of the listening audience is to build a stronger and more structured volunteer program to target high school and college students. I would like for the Local Station Board at KPFT to be involved in sponsored events solely organized by students as well as participate in career fairs and to introduce students to opportunities in non-profit organizations and the importance of continuing community service.
   
5. What sources of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel KPFT should solicit?
   Some funding I feel KPFT should solicit are private foundations, fraternities, sororities, churches, entrepreneurs. KPFT should also begin to organize galas, auctions and musical showcases featuring mainstream and local artists six months to a year in advance.
   
6. Please state briefly the skills, experience, educational background, work history, organizational affiliations, areas of community service, areas of interest and expertise that you would bring to the Pacifica network as a member of the Local Station Board.
   I am a singer, songwriter, producer and radio personality as well as a proud graduate of Willowridge High School and Prairie View A&M University. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music-Voice with a Minor in Fashion Merchandising and Design. I interned at KPVU 91.3 FM for a year on The Rod Goodman Show as the “News Girl.” I later worked at Borders Group Inc. where I founded a songwriters' forum that received rave reviews in Billboard Magazine in 1998, 1999, and 2001. I also worked at Atlantic Records, Elektra, Warner Music Group and Nonesuch Records in the Marketing and Publicity departments. In 2002 I worked at WNYE 91.5 FM as a Voice Imaging Specialist in Brooklyn, New York at Medger Evers College. I am presently the Producer and Host for “Divine Voices with Queen Diva.” It is a late night talk show where guests share their life story through their “divine voice.”
   
7. Do you anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation?
   I do not anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family job related problems or inadequate transportation.
   
8. On which Local Station Board committees are you interested in actively serving?
   I would like to serve on the Outreach Committee.