I’m a lawyer, activist, and longtime KPFK/Pacifica volunteer running again for the Pacifica National Board.
KPFK is still one of the most important progressive media institutions in Los Angeles. KPFK, the Pacifica Foundation and all independent media are at risk now and are worth fighting for as the democratic structure of our country is under siege.
I AM ENDORSED BY IAN MASTERS, MAGGIE LEPIQUE, ALAN MINSKY, “BUZZ” (SOMETHING’S HAPPENING*) AND EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON, (AMONG MANY OTHERS).
I helped to found New Day Pacifica and Pacifica Forward—coalitions of listeners, staff, volunteers, and activists from all five Pacifica stations who share a common goal: making sure Pacifica survives, grows, and fulfills its mission.
That means:
• Building a national news team capable of covering major stories from a grassroots perspective
• Preserving and expanding access to Pacifica’s extraordinary archives
• Strengthening intellectually and culturally diverse programming
• Bringing Pacifica onto new digital and media platforms
• Creating training opportunities for young people and emerging broadcasters
• Building partnerships with unions, community organizations, artists, and changemakers across the country
• Improving fundraising and long-term financial sustainability
I’VE SUPPORTED KPFK AS A BOARD MEMBER, PRO BONO ATTORNEY, VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER, EVENT ORGANIZER, PHONE BANKER & OUTREACH VOLUNTEER.
For 20 years, Pacifica operated under a governance structure involving 122 board members managing Pacifica’s media assets worth over $65 million. The structure fostered: overlapping authority, endless procedural conflict, management instability, declining listenership, and recurring financial crises.
In response to the organizational dysfunction a group of members initiated New Day Pacifica bylaws reform—dedicated to simplifying Pacifica’s governance while preserving its democratic character.
After a membership vote, years of litigation commenced by Pacifica, mediation, and ultimately a settlement, many reforms have now been incorporated into Pacifica’s bylaws. with a far more workable 15-member Pacifica National Board directly elected by listeners and staff and a new focus on outreach, fundraising and community needs assessment for Local Station Boards.
PUBLIC-INTEREST ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZING EXPERIENCE
- President, National Lawyers Guild–Los Angeles
- Co-Founder and Executive Director, Paul Robeson Community Center and Robeson Youth Radio Training Project
- I’m an activist “BERNIE-CRAT”
- Work with SHARON KYLE of LA Progressive on Left Coast Forum & Etc.
- Chair, Sunset Hall Retirement Home for Ageless Radicals
- Director, San Bernardino County Legal Aid Society
- Co-Founder, Working Peoples’ Law Center
- Attorney, Greater Watts Justice Center
I grew up in Watts in a biracial activist family. My stepfather fought to become the first African-American member of the Printers Union in Los Angeles. From an early age, I learned that racial justice, economic justice, and community solidarity are not abstract ideals. They are things people build together—and defend together.
This election will help determine whether Pacifica continues moving toward stability, growth, and relevance—or slips back into the dysfunction that nearly overwhelmed it.
If you treasure independent media please help us to build a strong, unified Pacifica network at this urgent time.
PLEASE VOTE for me, JAN GOODMAN, and for all of the NEW DAY PACIFICA and PACIFICA FORWARD Candidates.