activities · 27
what they do
direct service · 22
- Daily news and public affairs programming Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingProduces and broadcasts the daily news and public affairs program "Soul Star Live®" Monday through Friday at 12 noon on KRDP 90.7 FM, focusing on issues relevant to African American, African, and Afro-Caribbean immigrant communities in Arizona. The program is also distributed as a podcast and on YouTube.
- Host Live Multimedia Arts Events Live Multidisciplinary Arts Festival EventsOperates the "Paint the Town with Sound™" live event series, which spotlights independent musicians, spoken word artists, visual artists, multimedia creatives, culinary artists, and youth artists throughout Arizona.
- Host Specialty Radio and Podcast Series Independent Music Radio ProgrammingHosts the weekly syndicated radio, podcast, and YouTube series "Boom Goddess," broadcast on KXCI in Tucson and KRDP in the Phoenix area. Also hosts the weekly Blues and R&B radio show "Blue Friday" on KRDP.
- Hosting Live Multimedia Arts Events Live Multidisciplinary Arts Festival EventsOperates the "Paint the Town with Sound™" live event series, which spotlights independent musicians, spoken word artists, visual artists, multimedia creatives, culinary artists, and youth artists throughout Arizona.
- Live multimedia arts event series Live Multidisciplinary Arts Festival EventsProduces and hosts "Paint the Town with Sound™," a live event series held throughout Arizona that showcases independent musicians, spoken word artists, visual artists, multimedia creatives, culinary artists, and youth artists.
- Operate Public Access Media Center Community Media Production & TrainingOperates Desert Soul Creative Studios (DSCS), a public access media center in Phoenix, Arizona, providing access to audio production studios and a multimedia lab for content creation.
- Operate Public Access Media Center and Offer Media Literacy Courses Community Media Production & TrainingOperates Desert Soul Creative Studios (DSCS), a public access media center in Phoenix, Arizona. DSCS provides media literacy courses in digital audio production, radio broadcasting, social media marketing, and journalism, and offers access to audio production studios and a multimedia lab for content creation.
- Operate Public Radio Stations and Syndication Service Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingOperates KRDP Community Radio, which includes two public radio stations (KRDP 90.7 FM and KRDP Indie) and a podcast/syndication division (KRDP+) in the Phoenix metro area. KRDP 90.7 FM broadcasts a diverse Jazz, Blues, R&B, and Soul format targeting Arizona's African American community, while KRDP Indie is an online streaming station for Adult Album Alternative music, specialty music, news, and public affairs programs. KRDP+ develops, markets, and distributes original audio and video content.
- Operate Public Radio Stations and Syndication Service Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingOperates KRDP Community Radio, which includes two public radio stations (KRDP 90.7 FM and KRDP Indie) and a podcast/syndication division (KRDP+) in the Phoenix metro area. KRDP 90.7 FM broadcasts a diverse Jazz, Blues, R&B, and Soul format targeting Arizona's African American community, while KRDP Indie is an online streaming station broadcasting Adult Album Alternative music, specialty music, news, and public affairs programs. KRDP+ develops, markets, and distributes original audio and video content.
- Operating Community Radio Stations and Syndication ServiceOperates KRDP Community Radio, which includes two public radio stations (KRDP 90.7 FM and KRDP Indie) and a podcast/syndication division (KRDP+) in the Phoenix metro area. KRDP 90.7 FM broadcasts Jazz, Blues, R&B, and Soul targeting Arizona's African American community, while KRDP Indie is an online streaming station for Adult Album Alternative music, news, and public affairs. KRDP+ develops, markets, and distributes original audio and video content.
- Operating a Public Access Media Center and Providing Media Literacy Training Community Media Production & TrainingOperates Desert Soul Creative Studios (DSCS), a public access media center in Phoenix, Arizona, offering media literacy courses in digital audio production, radio broadcasting, social media marketing, and journalism, along with access to audio production studios and a multimedia lab.
- Organize Live Multimedia Arts Events Live Multidisciplinary Arts Festival EventsOperates the "Paint the Town with Sound™" live event series, which spotlights independent musicians, spoken word artists, visual artists, multimedia creatives, culinary artists, and youth artists throughout Arizona.
- Podcast production and content syndication Original Podcast and Media ProductionOperates KRDP+, a podcast service and syndication platform that develops, markets, and distributes original audio and video content, including radio programs, podcasts, and web series, across digital platforms.
- Produce and Broadcast Music-Focused Radio and Podcast Series Independent Music Radio ProgrammingHosts the weekly syndicated radio, podcast, and YouTube series "Boom Goddess," broadcast on KXCI in Tucson and KRDP in the Phoenix area. Also hosts the weekly Blues and R&B radio show "Blue Friday" on KRDP.
- Produce and Broadcast News and Public Affairs Programs Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingProduces and broadcasts "Soul Star Live®," a daily news and public affairs program addressing issues relevant to African American, African, and Afro-Caribbean immigrant communities in Arizona. This live news program is broadcast Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 1 pm, and is also distributed as a podcast and on YouTube.
- Produce and Broadcast News and Public Affairs Programs Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingProduces and broadcasts "Soul Star Live," a daily news and public affairs program addressing issues relevant to African American, African, and Afro-Caribbean immigrant communities in Arizona. This program is broadcast live Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 1 pm, and is also distributed as a podcast and on YouTube.
- Producing and Broadcasting News and Public Affairs Programs Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingProduces and broadcasts daily news and public affairs programs, including "Soul Star Live" and a live news program, addressing issues relevant to African American, African, and Afro-Caribbean immigrant communities in Arizona. These programs are distributed via radio, podcast, and YouTube.
- Producing and Hosting Specialty Radio Programs Independent Music Radio ProgrammingHosts and broadcasts weekly syndicated radio, podcast, and YouTube series such as "Boom Goddess" and the Blues and R&B radio show "Blue Friday" on various stations.
- Provide Media Literacy Courses Community Media Production & TrainingOffers media literacy courses in digital audio production, radio broadcasting, social media marketing, and journalism through Desert Soul Creative Studios.
- Public access media center operation Community Media Production & TrainingOperates Desert Soul Creative Studios (DSCS) in Phoenix, Arizona, a public access media center that provides community access to audio production studios and a multimedia lab for content creation.
- Public radio broadcasting Community-Focused News and Music BroadcastingOperates two public radio stations: KRDP 90.7 FM, broadcasting a Jazz, Blues, R&B, and Soul format targeting Arizona’s African American community in the East Valley, and KRDP Indie, an online streaming station offering Adult Album Alternative (AAA) music, specialty shows, news, and public affairs. Both are part of KRDP Community Radio in the Phoenix metro area.
- Weekly radio and podcast series hosting Independent Music Radio ProgrammingHosts and distributes two weekly programs: "Boom Goddess," a syndicated radio, podcast, and YouTube series aired on KXCI in Tucson and KRDP in Phoenix, and "Blue Friday," a weekly Blues and R&B radio show broadcast on KRDP.
capacity building · 5
- Develop Training Programs and Educational Video SeriesCreated and produced the "Back to Basics" educational video series, which was adopted into Amtrak's national training program. Also co-authored the Service Excellence Training Program for the California Zephyr train route.
- Develop Training Programs for AmtrakCreated and produced the "Back to Basics" educational video series, which was adopted into Amtrak's national training program, and co-authored the Service Excellence Training Program for the California Zephyr train route.
- Developing Educational Video Series and Training ProgramsCreated and produced the "Back to Basics" educational video series, which was adopted into Amtrak's national training program, and co-authored the Service Excellence Training Program for the California Zephyr train route.
- Development of professional training programsCreated and produced the "Back to Basics" educational video series adopted into Amtrak's national training program and co-authored the Service Excellence Training Program for the California Zephyr train route.
- Media literacy and production training Community Media Production & TrainingOffers media literacy courses in digital audio production, radio broadcasting, social media marketing, and journalism through Desert Soul Creative Studios in Phoenix.
strategies · 20
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Amplification of underrepresented voices in media amplifying_underrepresented_voicesCenters and amplifies voices from underrepresented communities—particularly African American, women over 50, and other minority populations—through culturally grounded media content, programming, and production to serve audiences underserved by commercial media.
- Amplification of underrepresented voices in media amplifying_underrepresented_voicesProduces media content that centers African American cultural and social perspectives and prioritizes the voices of women over 50, expanding representation in media production and broadcasting.
- Amplifying underrepresented voices through cultural media perspective amplifying_underrepresented_voicesThe organization provides news and public affairs content through an African American cultural and social perspective, specifically focusing on amplifying the voices of women over 50 and serving diverse, multicultural, independent-minded audiences not adequately served by commercial radio.
- Amplifying underrepresented voices through culturally rooted media amplifying_underrepresented_voicesProduces media content that centers African American cultural perspectives and prioritizes the voices of marginalized groups, including women over 50, to serve communities underserved by commercial media.
- Bridging the digital divide through media arts education and access digital_media_education_and_accessDesert Soul Media Inc. bridges the digital divide by providing access to and training on digital media equipment and software. This strategy targets intergenerational, underrepresented populations in the digital media arts industry, with a priority on Black and African American youth, seniors, and families.
- Community arts engagement and cultural development media arts engagementFosters arts discovery, civic engagement, and community cohesion among African American and minority populations in Arizona through multimodal (broadcast, online, in-person) programming and by supporting local artists and filmmakers.
- Digital media education and access for equity digital media education and accessBridges the digital divide by providing intergenerational, underrepresented communities—especially Black and African American youth, seniors, and families—with access to digital media tools and training to increase participation in the media arts industry.
- Digital media education and access for underrepresented populations digital media education and accessBridges the digital divide by providing intergenerational, underrepresented communities—particularly Black and African American youth, seniors, and families—with access to and training on digital media equipment and software to increase participation in the digital media arts industry.
- Equitable access to digital media arts digital media education and accessBridges the digital divide by providing intergenerational, underrepresented communities—especially Black and African American youth, seniors, and families—with access to digital media equipment, software, and education to increase participation in the digital media arts industry.
- Fostering arts and culture discovery and civic engagement media_arts_engagementThe organization fosters arts and culture discovery, civic engagement, and community cohesion among African American and other minority populations in Arizona through broadcast radio, online, and in-person programming.
- Guiding underserved artists and filmmakers in industry growthDesert Soul Media Inc. guides underserved artists and filmmakers through the growth and awareness process of the music and film industries, aiming to establish Arizona's Valley as a center for growth and economic opportunities in these fields.
- Media arts engagement for community cohesion media arts engagementUses broadcast radio, online, and in-person programming to foster arts and culture discovery, civic engagement, and community cohesion among African American and other minority populations in Arizona.
- Media arts for community engagement and cultural discovery media arts engagementUses broadcast radio, online platforms, and in-person programming to foster arts and culture discovery, civic engagement, and community cohesion among African American and other minority populations in Arizona.
- Membership-based access model membership_modelUses an annual membership fee model to provide access to studios and educational courses, supporting sustainable community participation in media production.
- Membership-based access model membership_modelUtilizes a membership model requiring an annual fee to provide access to studios and courses, supporting sustainable community engagement in media production.
- Membership-based access model membership_modelOperates a membership model requiring an annual fee to access studios and educational courses, creating a sustainable structure for participant engagement and resource use.
- Transparent and accessible governance transparent_governanceEnsures organizational transparency and public accessibility through openly held, primarily virtual board meetings conducted via Zoom.
- Trauma-informed approach to media and community building trauma_informed_careDesert Soul Media Inc. utilizes a trauma-informed care approach, emphasizing physical, psychological, and emotional safety to empower trauma survivors and build community. This includes incorporating culturally competent practices based on SAMHSA's 4R’s framework and creating safe spaces for expression within programming, acknowledging resilience, and connecting individuals to resources.
- Trauma-informed media and programming trauma-informed careUses a trauma-informed approach across media production and organizational practices to foster safety, rebuild empowerment, and build community by creating safe spaces for expression, acknowledging resilience, and connecting individuals to resources.
- Trauma-informed organizational approach trauma-informed careOperates as a trauma-informed organization by emphasizing physical, psychological, and emotional safety, creating safe spaces for expression, acknowledging resilience, and connecting individuals to resources to rebuild control and empowerment among trauma survivors.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Desert Soul Creative Studios
A public access media center in Phoenix, Arizona, providing media literacy courses in digital audio production, radio broadcasting, social media marketing, and journalism, along with access to audio production studios and a multimedia lab.
KRDP Community Radio
Consists of two public radio stations (KRDP Jazz 90.7 FM and KRDP Indie) and a podcast/syndication division (KRDP+), broadcasting diverse music formats and public affairs programs.
Paint The Town with Sound
A series of live multimedia arts events held across Arizona, spotlighting independent musicians, spoken word artists, visual artists, multimedia creatives, culinary artists, and youth artists.
Soul Star Live®
Arizona’s only daily news and public affairs series addressing topics of concern to the state’s African American, African, and Afro Caribbean immigrant communities, airing live on KRDP and available as a podcast and on YouTube.
relationships · 23
who they work with
- ASU’s Distinguished Innovation Fellows Program Partner — Participant focused on bringing insightful projects to the university and melding with students as a component of the Difference Engine.
- American Federation of Musicians, Local 586 Network — Active member, sits on the Board of Trustees, and serves on the Steering Committee for the Union Production Coalition of Arizona.
- Arizona Community Media Foundation Partner — Co-founded by Kaja Brown, who is also a co-founder of Desert Soul Media, Inc.
- Casa de Sincero, Inc. (CDS) Partner — Kaja Brown serves on the Board of this non-profit healthcare organization.
- Eliances Network — Member of a network for entrepreneurs.
- Givebutter Partner — Uses Givebutter for processing membership payments, with transaction fees added to the final amount.
- KRDP Partner — Broadcasts the weekly radio show "Blue Friday" and the cultural affairs program "Soul Star Live."
- KRDP Partner — Hosts the weekly radio program "Radio 586 AZ Roots".
- KRDP Partner — Radio station broadcasting Soul Star Live® in the Phoenix area.
- KRDP Partner — Radio station broadcasting the Boom Goddess program in the Phoenix, AZ area
- KRDP Community Radio Partner — Offers members discounted admission to KRDP Community Radio events.
- KXCI Partner — Radio station broadcasting the Boom Goddess program in Tucson, AZ
- LeadershipWest Network — Alumni of the program.
- MV Transportation Partner — Tiffany Hawkins, a board member of Desert Soul Media, started her career at MV Transportation and considers her assignment as a driver there her ministry.
- Pacifica Foundation, Inc. (Pacifica) Partner — Kaja Brown serves on the National Board of this community and public radio network.
- Paint The Town With Sound Partner — Offers members discounted admission to Paint The Town With Sound events.
- Read the Future Partner — Board member for the company.
- Recording Academy’s Grammys Network — Voting member.
- Scottsdale Community College Partner — Serves on the Music Advisory Committee.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Government — Uses the 4R’s framework from SAMHSA in its trauma-informed approach.
- The Foundation of the Alliance for Community Media (FACM) Partner — Kaja Brown serves on the Board of this charitable arm of the Alliance for Community Media.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Government — SAMHSA, whose framework is used by the organization, is an agency within HHS.
- Union Production Coalition of Arizona Coalition — Serves on the Steering Committee for this gathering of film production unions focused on growth and inclusion of future film production opportunities.