I am Chipasha Luchembe running for the KPFK Local Station Board because independent media requires a robust, proactive fundraising strategy deeply rooted in the community. As a KPFK listener-sponsor and volunteer since 1974, a global activist, and a Professor of History who has taught at UCLA, UC Riverside, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUN, and internationally, I understand how to connect with and mobilize diverse populations.
My extensive record of activism spans global liberation struggles, the Free South Africa and Free Palestine movements, and local battles for labor rights with the Paul Robeson Community Center. From co-founding Sister City committees to organizing the Perris Association for Community Empowerment (PACE) and the Inland Empire Lorenzo Torrez Club, I have consistently built bridges across diverse cultural, generational, and socioeconomic lines. I bring this practical organizing experience to the LSB—just as I did when successfully recruiting Lee Thorpe to serve as our outstanding LSB Secretary, proving the value of dedicated, one-on-one outreach.
To ensure KPFK’s financial sustainability, the LSB must move beyond traditional on-air pitching and take the station directly to the people. I propose a dynamic fundraising model that leverages Southern California’s rich social diversity. We must establish a consistent presence at major cultural events—such as Chinese Lunar New Year, African Independence Day, and Latin American heritage festivities—positioning KPFK as their voice while driving off-air memberships.
If elected, I will champion concrete revenue-generating initiatives: establishing specialized drive committees, creating dedicated online event pages, hosting charity concerts, silent auctions, cultural food festivals, community garden days, and open mic events. These initiatives will simultaneously raise crucial funds and deepen KPFK’s grassroots connections. I envision KPFK as an empowering bridge uniting our local neighborhoods with the world, and I respectfully ask for your vote to make this vision a reality.