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Standing in the Spirit of Paul Robeson: Plaque Unveiling and Rededication - 4/25

artists-are-the-gatekeepers-of-the-truth-humanities-truck-2022 orig 5th Annual Paul Robeson Commemoration: 2026 Teach-In

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 2pm

Located at the intersection of Kansas Avenue NW, Georgia Avenue NW, and Varnum St NW in Petworth - WDC

About

The purpose of WPFW-FM Pacifica is to provide outlets for the creative skills and energies of the community, to contribute to a lasting understanding between individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors, and to promote the full distribution of public information. Programming on WPFW will principally be a mix of jazz, Third World music, news and public affairs.

The airwaves at 89.3 will be an accessible media outlet for Blacks, Hispanics, cultural groups, women, seniors, youth and other ethnic and non-traditional groups. WPFW programming will make the concept of community radio real by providing the local majority population with important and relevant education, information and entertainment. Through its programming the station will act as a networking agent for the community at large. WPFW's air will be commercial free and in conformance with Pacifica Foundation resolutions prohibiting commercial under- writing of programming.

Programming will lend itself to an on-air listener participation, will strive to exemplify journalistic integrity, and will work toward being engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Jazz, a major American art form which grows from the African-American experience, will be the major music programming. WPFW will act as archivist, educator, and entertainer on behalf of this under served national cultural resource.

WPFW is dedicated to programming which reflects progressive social change and democracy. The station will continue and further a global, humanistic, and futuristic approach to news, public affairs, the creative arts and cultural programming. Internally WPFW will work to upgrade the quality of work at all levels.

Our continued use of and high regard for volunteers will provide an opportunity for individual skill development in radio broadcast techniques, and broadcast management. Volunteer opportunities will be available in most areas of program administration.

Our History

WPFW is the fifth station of the Pacifica Radio Network, founded in 1949 by maverick broadcaster and pacifist Lewis Hill. Our sister stations are in New York (WBAI), Houston (KPFT), Los Angeles (KPFK), and Berkeley (KPFA). The Pacifica Network also boasts almost 200 affiliates.

WPFW began in 1977, in a very modest facility-a single room, divided into four segments. One section served as the on-air studio, the others were the administrative office, newsroom, and a place for volunteers to prepare their programs. Nearly 50 years later, support from WPFW listeners has enabled the station to have modern facilities, with separate studios for broadcast, pre-production, a dedicated talk studio, and a live music performance studio, in addition to office space.

From the beginning, WPFW has been the voice for progressive news, public affairs, ad music programming in the Washington metropolitan area. On the dial at 89.3FM, and streaming at wpfwfm.org, WPFW continues to challenge the norm in public media, passionately serving the underserved and the marginalized in our community.

For nearly 50 years, WPFW remains free of corporate underwriting and influence, beholden only to our listeners. Through volunteerism, WPFW provides members of our community the opportunity to learn broadcasting and to gain a better understanding of the global community in which we live.

Since its inception, volunteerism has been at the core of all that is WPFW. Von Martin, a volunteer programmer who hosts Caribbeana, was the first voice to sign the station on the air 48 years ago, beginning that first broadcast with Duke Ellington's "Take the ‘A' Train”. WPFW has been the Jazz and Justice station ever since. Our volunteers come from varied cultures, ethnicities, gender, religions, and sexual orientation. They come to WPFW and remain because of their love of the station, its listeners, and the craft of broadcasting.

Special Programming: Jazz Appreciation - 4/1

In honor of and beginning in Jazz Appreciation Month, WPFW will present the radio documentary "No Regrets: The Music and Spirit of Billie Holiday". The program will air every Wednesday at 5pm, and Thursday at 2pm, beginning April 1 through May 13, the 13-part series examines Holiday's early life, the evolution of her singing style, her activism, and other topics related to her career.

Steal This Story Please! Film Screening - 5/2

Democracy Now! was birthed at WPFW’s Champlain Street Studios! On Saturday, May 2, WPFW celebrates Democracy Now!’s 30th Anniversary with a noon screening of the new documentary STEAL THIS STORY PLEASE! at AFI, including a post-screening discussion between Amy Goodman and Program Director Katea Stitt. The screening is part of the DC Labor Film Festival. The celebration continues after the screening with a luncheon with Amy Goodman and filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin at Busboys and Poets Takoma, beginning at 2:30pm, featuring a special Democracy Now 30th Anniversary menu curated by Andy Shallal.

Screening only tickets are $50; and screening and luncheon tickets are $150. Space is limited; tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE

Old School and Southern Soul Music Show with DJ Scooter Magruder & DJ Lady C - 4/18

Where: Citizens & Culture - 8113 Georgia Ave - Silver Spring, MD

When: Saturday, April 18, 2026, From 7PM to 10PM

Tickets: $30

For More Info: 818-466-1623 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: onehitwonders.website