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KPFK Listener Candidate: Sharon E. Brown

Hello, my name is Sharon E. Brown and I am running for the Local Station Board of KPFK and I am asking for your support and vote. As an author, publisher, attorney, and activist I have been actively involved in and campaigned for various movements such as raising the minimum wage, voters’ rights, feeding the hungry, education reform, and small business affairs. I listen to, support, and want to serve on the board of KPFK because it is one of the last free speech stations which represents the voice of the people. I understand that social and economic justice can only be achieved through bold actions and empowerment of the people; and this can only be fostered through active participation in the election process and attainment of financial stability.

This is why I am actively involved in the community with organizations that are committed to addressing the growing chasm between the rich and poor, expanding and strengthening vital public services (education, transportation, housing etc.), climate change, and education and criminal justice reform.

I have trained, advised and consulted with thousands of students, business owners, executives, and professionals from various backgrounds on various issues. As a small business owner, attorney, and activist I am very passionate about and actively involved in my community and professional organizations as follows: Board member of the Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains (Secretary) and the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (Public Policy Chair), Advisory Board member of the VEDC – Women’s Business Center, President of the B2BConnectR, and member of the CA/DGS – Small Business Advisory Council and NAACP. I have also been involved and worked with the Richmond Rescue Mission and the West Valley Food Pantry.

In addition, I have worked on numerous campaigns and elections – volunteering at election polling places, phone banking and walking precincts; and have also worked with various labor groups and organizations lobbying city, county, state, federal, and other private agencies for change.

It is imperative that we keep our own independent media source “this university of the airwaves” on the air and bring it back to its days of glory. We must all band together and work hard to preserve and insure that KPFK is around to continue being the voice of diverse opinions and for the voiceless. I’m up for the challenge – are you?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my statement. For more information about me, additional endorsers, and other LSB candidates who I am supporting and who supports me (and who I hope you vote for) go to CandidateSlate.org. This group of competent and well-qualified individuals are endorsed by such people as Lila Garrett and Harvey Wasserman.

I appreciate your time, consideration and support … peace, justice, and humanities!

 

Optional Questions (push the plus sign to see the answers)


In what ways are the station moving in a positive direction, that you would want to continue or perhaps improve?
Great reporting of current real news; and consistent, quality, and entertaining shows. This is a great thing and should be continued and expanded.

Create great customer service and insure that donors receive their pledge gifts in a timely manner.

Updating and enhancing the website and creating a better social media presence – as this will attract more listeners and a younger audience.


In what ways are the station moving in a negative direction, that you would want to stop or change? What changes would you work for?
No Response.

What key experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the Local Station Board to advance the station’s mission?
I worked for many years as an auditor for a CPA firm and as a bankruptcy attorney – so I am very well versed in financial and business affairs. In addition, I have been a successful business owner for over 26 years.

My leadership and experiential business acumen has afforded me the opportunity to work within many different types of organizations where I have been able to organize, collaborate and create a vast network of supporters which I can call upon.

I want to share and utilize my skills, expertise, ideas, passion and action to be the difference we all want to see. Being a dedicated, punctual, and optimistic team player, I plan to be an instrument for positive change and will work hard to build and sustain KPFK by promoting the station’s mission and following the station’s rules and regulations to achieve its goals.


What ideas do you have for helping the station and the Pacifica Foundation meet the financial challenges currently being faced?
I have been a small business owner in the San Fernando Valley for the past 26 years and serve on the Board of several non-profit organizations, so I am accustomed to establishing and managing budgets and raising money.

My suggestions are as follows:
-Implementing processes and systems so that the station can regain its CPB funding,
-Improving and enhancing the programming and offering more diversity (especially in the area of Asian Pacific American programs) as this will attract a larger membership base,
-Implementing and managing a comprehensive sustaining giving program guided by a new set of best practices, and
-Updating and enhancing the website and creating a better social media presence – as this will attract more listeners and a younger audience.


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