KMOJ is committed to producing broadcasting no less than 60% of its programming to community conversations and education. The station’s community engagement strategies encompass live remote broadcasts of community forums and Town Hal Meetings covering topics like Housing, Health, transportation, and Education. KMOJ publishes this information through our on-air presentation, website, and social media outlets such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. North Minneapolis is a residential neighborhood primarily populated by African Americans so KMOJ provides culturally specific engagement activities in which residents can seek relief from difficulties of inequalities inherent in achievement gaps. KMOJ hosts or partners with many organizations to address community needs. KMOJ commits more than 16 hours per week to Public Affairs programming focusing entirely on issues and concerns directly impacting African Americans and other people of color.
Among key partners with whom KMOJ collaborates include Minnesota Public Radio, Insight News, North News, 360 Journalism, The Spokesman-Recorder Newspaper, Black Media America Television, and Twin Cities Public Television. KMOJ also collaborates with many Community non-profits including NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Turning Point, The Minnesota Department of Health, The Minnesota Urban League, The Minneapolis NAACP, The Cities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties and The State of Minnesota. Educational institutions (Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools, Independent School District 622, Burnsville Public Schools; Superintendents (Interim Superintendent for MPS) Rochelle Cox; Joe Gothard, Christine Tucci -Osoria and Teresa Battle respectively; The University of Minnesota and Mankato State University, Best Academy and Harvest Prep School); Hamline University, St. Paul College; St. Thomas University, and Metropolitan Technical and Community College. KMOJ-FM works with many business community partners like Summit Academy OIC, The American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Avivo, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cars for Neighbors; and Minnesota Public Housing Authority, and regularly engages with parents and influencers through its seven-member Community Advisory Committee.
KMOJ’s programming is focused on engaging in education and finding solutions for the problems in the communities of color. KMOJ is acting on its mission of educating its listeners through a focus on eliminating teen violence, home foreclosures, job creation, and community empowerment. KMOJ is focused on the issue of transportation, food insecurities, and of course, healing from COVID-19 through messaging around vaccination and recovery. KMOJ continues to reach an underserved segment of the community through its HD station with culturally and age-specific programming. Metrics indicate this audience is continually growing. Partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health; and the Department of Public Safety, KMOJ is providing critical, life-saving information to its audience. KMOJ developed local and National documentaries on vaccines and civil unrest. KMOJ is effectively increasing awareness around all these concerns.
The station is known as The People’s Station. As such, KMOJ regularly gives voice to its listener base through its programming and community events. KMOJ actively engages elected and community officials such as the mayors of both major cities, and Public Safety and Public Health officials. Through its programming, KMOJ brings forward people of color who are making a difference in the
communities. KMOJ is creating news programming that will be translated into different languages for public consumption. The station broadcasts local and national news each hour.
The Corporate Public Broadcasting grant makes it possible to provide live broadcasts from community events, The grants also allow KMOJ to hire Independent Contractors to host, produce, and voice various programs targeting issues many African Americans face each day. Most recently, KMOJ was able to employ an experienced Program Director who is guiding the station to the next level of broadcast communication. Additionally, the grant provides for information to be shared nationwide through its website and various other social media platforms, now including those targeted at a younger, more diverse audience. KMOJ believes this effort is critical to effective communication now and in the future. This support is especially helpful as KMOJ navigates relocation concerns brought on by the construction of a new Light Rail system that is expected to come through the African American community in North Minneapolis
KMOJ’s Diversity Statement:
At KMOJ, diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our mission. We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and respectful work environment where everyone is valued and can contribute, grow, and thrive.
We actively seek individuals of diverse backgrounds, including age, race, heritage, gender, geography, and perspectives, to join our team. We believe that our collective diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation.
In line with this commitment, the KMOJ team, in collaboration with our Board of Directors, and Community Advisory Committee, regularly reviews our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. We are dedicated to upholding the principles of equal opportunity and diversity, and we continuously assess our progress in creating a workforce that reflects the rich tapestry of our community.
Questions? Contact Freddie Bell at freddiebell@kmojfm.com or (612) 377-0594
ITEM I: STATION SENIOR/EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Freddie Bell
CEO and General Manager
Freddiebell@kmojfm.com
Vic Clemons
Program Director
Vic.clemons@kmojfm.com
Kelley Solie
Business Office Manager/Traffic Manager
Buisnessoffice@kmojfm.com
Walter “Q Bear” Banks
Community Engagement Manager
QBear@kmojfm.com
Rico Woodard (Nevotion)
Underwriting Manager
Rnevotion@kmojfm.com
ITEM II: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A full list of those members is posted on this website at https://kmojfm.com/wp/board-of-directors/
Meeting dates and times are listed in the link at the bottom of the page.
ITEM III: ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Melissa Chitwood
Joe McKenzie
O’Neal Hampton
Anthony Richie
Anthony Pankey
Kitty Harris
Wes Spain
Jonathan Turner
ITEM IV: BYLAWS
ITEM V: OPEN MEETINGS
- Check back for the date/time/location of upcoming meetings of the Community Advisory Board.
- Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held in the KMOJ conference room at KMOJ studios located at 2123 West Broadway Suite 200 Minneapolis, MN 55411.