Youth Radio

YR Media (formerly Youth Radio) is an American non-profit youth media organization. It was first established in Berkeley, California, and moved to Oakland in 2007. YR Media was founded by Ellin O'Leary in 1993, who served as its first Executive Director. YR Media advocates for youth participation in media and journalism. YR Media also operates in Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. The organization has been inactive since October 2024.

Youth Radio

Formation	1993
Founder	Ellin O'Leary
Founded at	Berkeley, California
Headquarters	Oakland, California
Region served	United States
Award(s)	George Foster Peabody Award, Edward R. Murrow Award, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award
Formerly called	Youth Radio

A YR reporter conducts an interview

Gerald “Whiz” Ward II of Youth Radio accepts the Peabody Award, May 2002

YR Media has worked with outlets including Teen Vogue, NPR, Pandora, and The New York Times.

Advocacy efforts

YR Media engages with youth on education and career pathways in media, technology and creative arts. YR serves predominantly racial minorities and low-income communities.^[1]

YR Media runs training programs with technology education and program graduates become eligible for jobs at YR Media.

History

Youth Radio was founded in 1993 as Youth Radio in Berkeley, California. In 2007, Youth Radio moved its headquarters to downtown Oakland. In 2007, Youth Radio reported on the importance of the youth vote at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.^[2]

In 2021, the organization expanded to Chicago.^[3]

In October 2024, the organization paused operations amid financial difficulties.^[3] YR Media paused operations and formally laid off employees on November 8, 2024, though the organization's leadership reportedly still hoped to reopen in the future.^[4]

Selected accolades

• George Foster Peabody Award – 2001,^[5] 2011^[6]
• Edward R. Murrow Award – 2001, 2005, 2010, 2011
• Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award–2010
• President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Award – 2012
• Red Cross Heroes Award – 2010
• Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award – 2000

Divisions

ADP.FM/ All Day Play: YR Media had a radio station that aired commentary, news, and music. ADP shut down at midnight on December 16, 2022.

Remix Your Life: YR Media's music production and distribution label.

Adult ISH: YR Media has a culture, storytelling and advice talk show podcast produced by people who are almost adults. ADULT ISH is hosted by Nyge Turner and Merk Nguyen. ^[7]

See also

• Institute for Nonprofit News (member)