Race Matters has become not only a vital program in the FBi Radio and community broadcasting landscape, but a space for innovation, community-building and gathering. The show won this year’s Amy Large Inner West Council Volunteer Award and was nominated for the NEMBC‘s Innovative Program of the year Award 2024.
Over the past 12 months, the program has skyrocketed from two hosts to an orbit of 30 contributors – a move that has enabled it to foster more meaningful relationships with emerging audio makers and guests. Featuring over 60 unique guests, plus 30 unique hosts and producers in the past year, Race Matters has continued to hone in its focus on those who have been systematically underserved and unable to gain access to broadcasting outlets.
The show has been all about sharing content in more reflexive and creative ways lately, with a vision to translate its radio work into timeless podcast episodes. ‘The best examples were limited series we ran testing out new forms of audio-making and collaborating including: Liquid Homelands queer, experimental series; Migrant Sex Worker of Colour Diaries; Summer Retreat healing justice through conversation and sound’, explains Executive Producer Shareeka Helaluddin.
‘Every week and throughout skills-building workshops contributors are invited to “learn conventions and then break or challenge them” meaning, each day can be an act of creative risk-taking and transformation’ shares Shareeka. Amid the 2023 National Referendum, the program also adapted each week to respond to the needs and unheard voices of our communities and was eventually picked up for national broadcasting in 2023 on the Community Radio Network (CRN).
‘The greatest success of Race Matters in this period demonstrates it’s more than a radio show: but a vital contribution to the media landscape and a solace for an increasing amount of people who need it to share story, shape culture, learn through independent media, or simply find connection’, explains Executive Producer, Shareeka.
Race Matters is a recipient of CBF’s Round 1 Content Grant 2023/24. Funding provided salary support for the Executive Producer and two Supervising producers which includes a First Nations role.
[Photography by Wasiela: Race Matters’ Jam for Justice interview at FBi Radio].