Media Foundation (AzCMF)
Independent Media for Arizona
Arizona Community Media Foundation (AzCMF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed by concerned citizens who desire to provide access to independent, educational, community-focused broadcast media outlets serving Arizona. We exist to provide a voice for traditionally underrepresented groups and perspectives unavailable within mainstream media.
The organization was founded by a coalition of individuals and community groups that gradually came together to explore and develop more effective ways to encourage and support independent broadcast media in Phoenix and other underserved communities in Arizona. The coalition formally incorporated on January 22, 2004 and is pursuing multiple projects that will enable independent broadcast media coverage of the local arts and music communities, as well as local, national and international cultural/ethnic/foreign language, news/public affairs and related programming not currently available to most of the state.
AzCMF's initial efforts secured leased time from a commercial station in Phoenix. During this ten week experiment, many local organizations which had never had access to the airwaves were able to bring their message to a radio audience through free public service announcements. AzCMF has filed applications with the FCC for full power FM radio licenses that will be utilized to serve communities throughout the state with an independent, community radio network.
Today, AzCMF operates Radio Phoenix, a twenty four hour, seven day a week internet radio station, staffed by over 55 volunteers. Radio Phoenix offers a wide variety of news, views, and music never heard on local radio, and is the largest community-based internet station in Arizona. to find out more about Radio Phoenix or to tune into our brodacasting, go to radiophboenix.org.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
1. To seek peace and social justice in all our practices, including seeking persons who share these principles in our governance and operations;
2. To recognize that all persons do not have equal access to the public airwaves or other mass media to communicate with their respective communities and that we exist to provide such access to traditionally underrepresented persons within the communities we serve;
3. To respect the culture, faith, ideas and unique differences of all persons within our communities; and
4. To prohibit discrimination of all types based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical handicap or disability.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rhonda Boyle (Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer) moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2001 as part of a corporate relocation where she was Chief Financial Officer for a division of a financial services company. Rhonda has a B.A. in Accounting and is a former Certified Public Accountant. When her employment required another geographic relocation in 2003, she decided to make a career change in order to stay in Phoenix and become involved in the local community. She now has a business consulting practice and has worked with many local businesses, further establishing her roots in the community. Rhonda joined the AzCMF Board of Directors in 2006 and has served as the organization’s President since 2007. .
Arizona Community Media Foundation is governed by a diverse group of people with broad experiences in the broadcasting, business, legal, and financial industries.
Victor Aronow (President), a native son of Brooklyn and resident of Phoenix for over 35 years, graduated from Boston College Law School and came out West to seek his fortune. He practiced criminal, civil rights and labor law for 25 years, and then entered the teaching field where he has taught adult education in a local school district for over ten years. He is a member of the board of many non-profit organizations, including the Southwest Heritage Foundation and the Arizona Alliance for Peace and Justice.
Kaja Brown is currently employed by a local radio station. He has worked on the air and in management positions in media markets in New York City, Phoenix, and Portland, Oregon. One of the original founders of AzCMF, he received his degree in communications from ASU, and has worked with public art, educational. and media organizations in Phoenix and Oregon, including the A. Philip Randolph Institute Phoenix.
Raissa Devereux (Research Director) has been a Tempe resident for many years. She obtained a BA in English in 1996, and is a volunteer at the Tempe Public Library computer lab and the Tempe Historical Museum. Her tastes in radio are "retro," including a love for old radio drama such as "The Shadow."
Jeanne Frieden (Secretary) has been a nurse for over 30 years and has worked in acute care hospitals and in public health and currently works as an Infection Control Practitioner in a
Allen Sklar (Executive Vice President, station engineer), has more than 35 years of experience working in various engineering, freelance production, and operations management positions within the film, radio and television industries. He began his media career at WHFH-FM in Flossmoor, Illinois, moving on to other markets including Boise, Phoenix and Chicago. During the late 1970's he began working with various feelance production crews, which resulted in the creation of content broadcast by notable media outlets including CBS, CNN, ESPN and NBC. In addition to his major network experience, Allen has also contributed to productions of major sporting events for the NCAA, NFL and PGA. A champion of independent media in Arizona, while not working on projects with AzCMF, he also serves on the executive committee for the Arizona Production Association Inc., a trade group for working professionals in the local film and video industry.
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