Last month 20 public radio professionals convened to discuss strategies for strengthening African-American public radio stations. 

Amidst high-spirited camaraderie and shared goals, the group took a broad view of the positioning of African-American public radio stations in the media landscape, and their role in making public radio more serviceable to African-American and diverse communities.  (African-American stations attract about 50% of all African-Americans who tune in to public radio nationwide.)

The meeting was facilitated by the Consortium's Executive Director Loretta Rucker, and hosted by WSHA-FM and Shaw University in Raleigh NC.

Over the past 4 years the AAPRC has broadened its tent to include HBCU, community and Low-Power FM noncommercial stations that may or may not have been engaged in the public radio system before now. 

Attendees also included several new managers transitioning from commercial radio, desiring to know more about the public radio environment, which created the opportunity for a healthy exchange of  diverse ideas and experiences.

The group will reconvene in six months to put more texture into the strategic priorities identified during the meeting. All in attendance agreed that the time is ripe for placing the focus on their common objectives.  

The Consortium is also considering a Summit later in 2015 that will include all of its (program carrying) affiliates and member stations.