Listening to the radio in Toledo is sometimes a game of deja vu—“didn’t I just hear this song? Seriously.. it’s playing on this station too?”
Maybe turning knobs and wading through commercials is your idea of a good time. If so, please learn how to bottle your positive energy so I can buy it all from you.
But for the rest of us, the radio might not be the fountain of interesting content it is meant to be. Sure, satellite radio offers niche content, but it comes without a local focus and often with alarmingly specific parameters (Sirius XM Radio Margaritaville? What?).
Fortunately, a large group of local activists are sympathetic to Toledo’s need for a community radio station with diverse content. Members of the Toledo Low Power FM Radio Project have been working hard for the past few years to make this dream a reality.
We spoke to them early in the process, and a lot has happened since.
Just recently, the FCC license application for a radio station was officially approved. The group has grown and a name has been chosen: WAKT, or We Act Radio.
“I hope that we can help create a niche for underrepresented viewpoints, and provide content that is compelling, creative and appropriate for radio,” said Sean Nestor, a community activist and member of the Toledo Low Power FM Radio Project and Toledo Integrated Media Education. Nestor also emphasized that because the content is community-driven, the variety will be there—everything from in-depth music programs to niched political talk radio.
To help establish a non-profit status and to teach others about the project, the process and the future, Toledo Integrated Media Education will begin a series of informative fundraisers.
Join the conversation and enjoy dinner and live entertainment during the first WAKT fundraiser. $10/door. 6-8pm, Thursday, January 29 at Glass City Dharma, 137 Michigan Ave. Donations welcome; checks payable to Toledo Integrated Media Education. Can't attend but want to help? Donations via PayPal can be made here.
