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KBLA Talk 1580 Announces Historic 12-Month, $2 Million Climate Justice Campaign Aimed at California Communities of Color on MLK Holiday Weekend, Friday, January 12, 2024, 10:30 AM, MLK Memorial Tree Grove @ Kenneth Hahn State Recreation AreaSmileyAudioMedia, Inc. announced that its flagship Los Angeles-based radio station, KBLA Talk 1580 AM, will launch a historic $2 million, 12-month Climate Justice Campaign with four clear objectives: center the voices of communities of color in the climate conversation, connect at-risk fellow citizens with advocacy organizations, increase climate health literacy, and highlight frontline climate justice crusaders of color. The initiative will achieve these objectives with a robust schedule of climate-themed broadcasts and special programming during the next 12 months, four free community events (one per quarter), two town halls broadcast nationally from Los Angeles, and a savvy social media and marketing campaign. Going Public PR, a Black and female-owned Communications and Branding agency, will lead the coordination of the aforementioned efforts. KBLA Talk 1580 is joined in this historic effort by both public and private partners including: LADWP, which last year launched its Powered by Equity initiative, Metro, the Port of Los Angeles, CalEndow, California Community Foundation, the Sierra Club, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and other partners who will join the campaign in Q2, Q3 and Q4. "The harsher impacts of climate change weigh heavily on communities of color," said Tavis Smiley, KBLA's chief visionary officer, host of the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley show, and most recent recipient of the coveted "Freedom of Speech" Award from Talkers 2023. "In these underserved communities, families are less likely to have air conditioning, shade trees, bus shelters, water and energy effective appliances and other infrastructure that's critical to mitigate a changing climate." A press conference is scheduled for Friday, January 12, 10:30am PST, at the MLK Memorial Tree Grove inside Kenneth Hahn State Park to offer 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 do more than just talk in these troubled times," added Smiley. "There is a clear connection between Dr. King's moral consistence on the notion of reverence for human life or 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 who are most impacted by the climate catastrophes we are all witnessing in real time. In a real sense, climate is king," concluded Smiley, who appears on the "Heavy Hundred" list of the 100 Most Important Talk Radio Hosts in America. Additional Quotes About the Climate Justice Campaign: Martin Adams, General Manager, L.A. Department of Water & Power "LADWP is a proud partner in this climate justice campaign, and it perfectly comlements the numerous climate equity initiatives we already have underway. From our Project Powerhouse program that facilitates the building of affordable housing by absorbing costs and expediting project approvals, to our Powered by Equity initiative, a road map to ensuring clean energy equity for all Angelenos, LADWP is working to honor the legacy of Dr. King's values of justice every day." Benjamin Todd "Ben" Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club "For years, Black communities have long been forced to live in sacrifice zones, shouldering a heavy burden of pollution that has manufactured health crises for families, especially with children. Now, many of these same communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis this pollution created. We can -- and will -- break this cycle as we uplift the voices and empower these communities that have long been ignored." Dr. Robert K Ross, President/CEO, The California Endowment "Climate Justice is vitally important to the survival of our planet. We know that communities of color are often overpopulated with industrial pollutants, which directly impacts their health and well-being. We at The California Endowment believe moving forward to bring voice and power to heavily impacted communities is critical to making positive change. We applaud Tavis Smiley and KBLA on their effort to elevate such an important issue." Liji Thomas, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California "This sponsorship reflects Metropolitan's commitment to bring everyone across our diverse region into the conversation about water and the need to conserve and invest in this precious resource to ensure it is accessible to all communities. We look forward to the opportunities to have deeper discussions about the challenges brought on by climate change and what we can all do to create a brighter, more resilient future for all of us in Southern California." Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD Executive Officer "Air pollution and climate injustice are intertwined. Clean air is a right, not a privilege. Working to address air pollution impacts on communities that have historically suffered from environmental discrimination is a priority for South Coast AQMD and we are pleased to support KBLA's new Climate Injustice Program." Miguel Santana, President and CEO, California Community Foundation "We recognize the urgent need for action in the face of climate change, especially within our communities of color. This historic campaign centers the voices and experiences of LA County's most vulnerable residents and illustrates how government, philanthropy, and the private sector can collaborate with residents to solve the complex challenges we face." Background: On Juneteenth, June 19, 2021, KBLA Talk 1580 launched with the promise to give disenfranchised citizens a voice in current political, social and cultural issues with empowering, sustainable and restorative language. KBLA Talk 1580 consistently emerges as the station of choice for Black/African American residents. An EVITARUS public opinion research study, the 2023 African American Media Issues Survey, finds that for the second consecutive year, KBLA Talk 1580 remains the most "trusted, credible and reliable" media source in Southern California for African Americans and beyond. While KBLA Talk 1580 is unapologetically progressive, the station and its on-air talent prefer good ideas over ideology. The station's guests and listeners share the wisdom of a lived experience that serves to enlighten others. Because KBLA's audience is so diverse, each day is like a live town hall meeting over the airwaves. ABOUT KBLA TALK 1580 KBLA Talk 1580 AM is a heritage station and the original home of the iconic hip hop station KDAY. At 50,000 watts, day and night, KBLA serves a coverage area of nearly 12 million listeners. KBLA Talk 1580 boasts an all-star lineup of hosts who speak candidly and passionately to the challenges people of color face daily trying to navigate life and realize their hopes and dreams. KBLA Talk 1580 serves an audience long ignored by talk radio in Los Angeles and now other American cities - people of color and progressives. For more information, visit KBLA1580.com. ON A SOCIAL NOTE:
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