KBLA Talk 1580 Launches Groundbreaking $2 Million Climate Justice Campaign
Los Angeles, CA – In a historic move on the MLK holiday weekend, KBLA Talk 1580 AM, a flagship radio station under SmileyAudioMedia, Inc., unveiled its groundbreaking $2 million, 12-month Climate Justice Campaign. The announcement took place that past week at the MLK Memorial Tree Grove within Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
By Philtrina Farquharson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA – In a historic move on the MLK holiday weekend, KBLA Talk 1580 AM, a flagship radio station under SmileyAudioMedia, Inc., unveiled its groundbreaking $2 million, 12-month Climate Justice Campaign. The announcement took place that past week at the MLK Memorial Tree Grove within Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
The press conference, attended by prominent figures including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, marked the beginning of a transformative initiative aimed at addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on California communities of color.
The radio station’s chief visionary officer, Tavis Smiley, outlined four key objectives of the campaign. First and foremost, the initiative aims to center the voices of communities of color in the climate conversation. It also seeks to connect at-risk citizens with advocacy organizations, increase climate health literacy, and highlight frontline climate justice crusaders of color.
Over the next 12 months, KBLA Talk 1580 plans to achieve these goals through a robust schedule of climate-themed broadcasts, special programming, four free community events, two nationally broadcast town halls, and an extensive social media and marketing campaign.
The campaign has garnered support from both public and private partners, including LADWP, Metro, the Port of Los Angeles, CalEndow, California Community Foundation, the Sierra Club, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, with additional partners expected to join.
Tavis Smiley emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, “The harsher impacts of climate change weigh heavily on communities of color. In these underserved communities, families are less likely to have essential infrastructure critical to mitigating a changing climate.”
The press conference aimed to provide more details on the unique nature of this climate initiative, spearheaded by a Black-owned and operated major media player. “As the most trusted, credible, and reliable media source in Southern California for African Americans and beyond, our talk station is committed to doing more than just talk in these troubled times,” added Smiley.
Drawing a connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings, Smiley expressed, “There is a clear connection between Dr. King’s moral consistency on the notion of reverence for human life and the interconnected nature of life and the future of our world house. On this MLK holiday weekend, KBLA assigns itself the task of elevating the climate conversation by amplifying the voices of those most impacted by the climate catastrophes we are witnessing in real-time.”
The campaign launch reflects KBLA Talk 1580’s commitment to giving disenfranchised citizens a voice in current political, social, and cultural issues.
As KBLA Talk 1580 embarks on this historic Climate Justice Campaign, it seeks to create meaningful change by addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by communities of color in California. Through collaboration with various partners and a multifaceted approach, the radio station aims to contribute to a more sustainable and just future for all.
