WSLR Receives $7000 Florida Humanities Community Project Grant
Florida Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has awarded WSLR Community Radio a $7000 Community Project Grant to help fund Building the Local News Ecosystem, a series of free public newsroom forums featuring community-focused journalists, editors, and media scholars.
“With this project we hope to leverage our existing resources to build a local media ecosystem that better serves all of our community by fostering collaboration, coordinating coverage, and connecting local newsrooms to form a Grassroots Media Network,” said Arlene Sweeting, general manager of WSLR+Fogartyville.
The series launches Jan. 16 with “The Local Media and Me,” an open, wide-ranging dialogue between local journalists and community members moderated by anthropologist Maria Vesperi. Topics will include the strengths and weaknesses of local reporting, how to identify and address gaps in news coverage, key differences in presenting news and opinion, and the value of hyperlocal news.
Participants in this lively program will walk away with new tools, ideas, and resources for helping to keep their communities informed about news that matters.
Additional forums in the Building the Local News Ecosystem series include: “Introduction to Community Journalism” on Jan. 30, “Thinking Like a Journalist” on Feb. 13, “Media Ethics & Law” on Feb. 27, “Working a Beat” on March 12 and “Community News & Democracy” on April 2.
All forums are free and open to the public and will take place at Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court. Registration is required at wslr.org/fogartyville or by calling 941-894-6469
The forums will be recorded and made available to the public via WSLR’s YouTube channel and website.
In addition, the WSLR News team will host six members of the community for Citizen Journalism Workshops, during which they will learn how to: identify and share important stories in their communities, conduct interviews and find credible information, and record and edit a story for radio broadcast. The goal is to train and recruit new volunteer contributors to WSLR News, the twice-weekly broadcast on WSLR.
Florida Humanities’ Community Project Grants awards up to $10,000 to support humanities-based learning experiences. In public humanities programming funded through this grant, Floridians are encouraged to engage in thoughtful reflection, analysis, and consideration of important topics relevant to local communities, and the state writ Large.
“Florida’s cultural organizations and nonprofits play a vital role in connecting communities, inspiring hope, and broadening perspectives,” said Executive Director Nashid Madyun. “Florida Humanities is thrilled to support public humanities programming such as these through Community Project Grants.”
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WHAT: “The Local Media and Me,” first in the Building a Better Local News Ecosystem series
WHO: Maria Vesperi, professor of anthropology at New College of Florida, moderator, and advisory scholar; Renee James Gilmore, executive producer, and host of ABC7’s “Empowering Voices,” panelist; Mitch Haley, featured columnist and senior editor for The Bradenton Times and host of The Bradenton Times Podcast, panelist; and WSLR News Director Johannes Werner, panelist
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 16, 6-8 p.m.
WHERE: Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Court
REGISTRATION: wslr.org/fogartyville or call 941-894-6469
Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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About WSLR
WSLR is an innovative, listener-supported nonprofit, noncommercial FM radio station dedicated to serving the Sarasota community. WSLR features locally produced programming and events that present cultural, artistic, and political perspectives currently underrepresented in the media. WSLR informs and empowers listeners to play an active role in the radio station and in their community. WSLR promotes equality, peace, sustainability, democracy, health, and social and economic justice.
About Florida Humanities
Florida Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the history, literature, culture, and personal stories that offer Floridians a better understanding of themselves, their communities, and their state. Since 1973, Florida Humanities has awarded more than $20 million in support of statewide cultural resources and public programs strongly rooted in the humanities. These programs preserve Florida’s diverse history and heritage, promote civic engagement and community dialogue, and provide opportunities to reflect on the future of Florida. Learn more at Florida Humanities.
Photos from WSLR