Pin It
ImageIthaca-based Cayuga Radio Group will be donating $50,000 in air time over the next year, in support of the Chamber of Commerce's initiative tied to challenges with race and class in Tompkins County.

"This donation of air time, creative services and related production will be used to help promote and enhance a sustained community dialogue across the diverse demographics who listen to our stations," said Cayuga Radio Group general manager Susan Johnston.  Cayuga Radio Group consists of five broadcast properties: WXYL (97.3 FM), WQNY (103.7 FM), WIII (99.9 FM) WHCU (870 AM), and WNYY (1470 AM).

The first-time outreach effort will consist of a series of 30-second public service announcements featuring a variety of area residents, including Cal Walker, Roger Sibley, high school students, business leaders and community stakeholders. The bottom-line theme in each PSA will be a simple question and answer: "The business of Tompkins County? It's equity."

Jean McPheeters, president of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, recently reported on the Cayuga Radio Group-Chamber of Commerce initiative and other Chamber programs at an   Ithaca Common Council committee meeting.  These include four sessions on racial and social justice, the launch of a “social justice fund,” the formation of several new committees, and providing transportation to two Department of Justice-led community forums.

“The joy of working in the business community is things get done fast,” McPheeters said. "We appreciate how Susan Johnston and the Cayuga Radio Group have stepped up to address these challenges and opportunities with a doable idea and immediate follow-up."

McPheeters told Common Council that the Chamber hopes to help, not dictate the process for community involvement in discussions about race and class.

“We're not purporting to tell other people how to run their lives,” says McPheeters.  “But I think that people can make differences in their own ways, and that's our goal. A substantial presence on the Cayuga Radio Group stations will be an essential part of the big-picture mix."

----
v4i12
Pin It