Radio Rookies: Gentrification, Housing and the Meaning of Home
A series I developed, reported, produced and promoted for Radio Rookies as the senior producer of WNYC’s community partnerships desk.
I developed the theme and spearheaded the recruitment process to find young storytellers ready to dive into these issues. I knew we needed to touch on gentrification and look into NYCHA, New York’s public housing authority. Lastly, I decided to round out the series with a story that explored more abstract themes — what does home mean as a child of immigrants whose never stepped foot in their family’s homeland?
Over several months, I worked one-on-one with teen participants to report, structure and script these stories, which give listeners fresh new perspectives on issues that appear in the news often. I managed the entire workflow, staying on top of deadlines, coordinating with editors and audio engineers and voice coaching youth during their recording sessions. I also wrote web copy, headlines and social media posts for each story.
The series aired on WNYC’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. I further expanded the reach of the work by pitching interview segments with the storytellers to The Brian Lehrer Show. I secured three segments, one for each storyteller, and joined them live on the air on three consecutive days. I also pitched and produced a 40-minute expanded version of our NYCHA story for NPR’s Code Switch podcast. Lastly, I pitched a shorter version of our “meaning of home” story to WBUR and NPR’s Here & Now. That piece aired nationally two years in a row.
A first-generation Tibetan in Queens finds her way home
Saldon Tenzin’s grandparents fled Tibet more than 60 years ago. Her parents were born in India and she was born in New York. She knows she needs to help keep her culture alive — but how do you hold onto something you feel so far removed from?
In this installment of Radio Rookies, Saldon shares how she went from feeling embarrassed of her culture to becoming a proud Tibetan.
A Bronx teen grapples with a controversial plan for NYCHA apartments
When Fanta Kaba was growing up, her family moved around a lot. Harlem, Queens, the Bronx, even North Carolina for a while. But when they moved into public housing, they finally found stability. Now, a controversial plan is changing the way public housing operates — and a lot of residents are scared about the future of their homes. Fanta speaks with residents, organizers and officials as she tries to find out what this program means for families like hers.
As the Bronx gentrifies, teens lose sense of stability and belonging
Christina Adja loves her South Bronx neighborhood — but lately, she’s seen chain restaurants replacing small businesses and shiny apartment buildings going up. And it’s made her wonder: How do changing neighborhoods affect teenagers’ sense of stability and belonging?
In this installment of Radio Rookies, Christina speaks with friends in the Bronx and Brooklyn about what they love about their communities, their fear of being displaced and what gentrification means to them.