Community local outlets like Epicenter, that center communities of color, are elevating the local conversation nationally and digitally ahead of the presidential election through partnerships like this one with local PBS – WNET Thirteen.
The new THIRTEEN digital series, Your Voice Matters, launches with episodes on housing, caregiving and immigration, co-produced with Epicenter.
S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder and publisher of Epicenter NYC, which was founded in 2020 to help New Yorkers navigate the pandemic, shared:
“Epicenter’s on-the-ground reporting and drumbeat of actionable coverage around immigration, housing and caregiving finds new audiences through this partnership with WNET THIRTEEN. We are honored to anchor these stories in the nuances of New York and look forward to distributing them across platforms and formats as diverse as the populations we serve.”
Femi Redwood, Epicenter NYC’s editorial director, added:
“Every day, we talk to community members and listen to their biggest concerns: the lack of affordable housing, immigration, and the rising costs of childcare and eldercare. As we approach an election that will have a massive impact on New York City, it’s more important than ever to help our neighbors understand how the presidential race may affect these critical issues.”
Full press release from WNET below.
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THIRTEEN Launches Your Voice Matters Digital Series, Unpacking Key 2024 Election Issues for New Yorkers and New Jerseyans
New eight-part YouTube series equips voters with clear insights on housing, climate change, immigration, and more.
NEW YORK (Oct. 1, 2024) — Launching today on YouTube, THIRTEEN’s Your Voice Matters is an eight-part digital series examining the issues shaping the lives of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans ahead of the 2024 election. The series delves into key topics like housing, climate change and immigration, offering in-depth analyses to help voters make informed decisions at the polls.
Designed to break down complex issues, Your Voice Matters combines interviews with everyday citizens, subject matter experts, and policymakers. Each 6- to 8-minute episode provides viewers with an accessible yet thorough examination of key issues, helping voters make more informed decisions at the polls.
“Your Voice Matters aims to bring crucial election issues closer to home,” said Neal Shapiro, president and CEO of the WNET Group. “By featuring local voices and real-life stories, we hope to engage and empower our audience, helping them feel more connected, informed, and ready to vote.”
Episodes will be released on YouTube through Nov. 12, with complementary content shared on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. The series kicks off with episodes focused on housing, caregiving, and immigration.
- Housing – Premieres Oct. 1 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
The series premiere examines the housing challenges faced by New Yorkers and New Jerseyans, featuring a new mom searching for space for her family and a resident of New York’s first LGBTQ+ safe senior housing development. Attorney, former Rent Guidelines Board member and current NYC Planning Commissioner Leah Goodridge, along with Cea Weaver, director of Housing for All, discuss efforts to reduce housing costs. Produced in collaboration with Epicenter NYC.
- Caregiving – Premieres Oct. 3 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
This episode explores the financial challenges New Yorkers face while caring for loved ones and how this year’s election could affect families. Rebecca Bailin, co-founder of New Yorkers United for Childcare, discusses the national campaign for childcare reform, while Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi and residents of India Home address culturally informed senior living services. Produced in collaboration with Epicenter NYC.
- Immigration – Premieres Oct. 8 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
As immigration remains a key issue, this episode explores how the election affects New York, where 40 percent of residents are foreign-born. Your Voice Matters speaks with coaches and players from the Raccoons, a Queens-based basketball academy helping immigrant children adjust to life in the city, and with Clinton Hill residents about the local migrant crisis. Professor and journalist Felipe De La Hoz breaks down immigration policy. Produced in collaboration with Epicenter NYC.
- Transportation – Premieres Oct. 15 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
This episode tackles the region’s aging transportation infrastructure, featuring commuter stories and expert insights on how these issues could affect election outcomes. Produced in collaboration with NJ PBS.
- Reproductive Rights – Premieres Oct. 22 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
This episode covers the intense emotions and political battles surrounding reproductive rights, featuring personal stories from representatives and citizens involved in the ongoing debate. Produced in collaboration with NJ PBS.
- Climate – Premieres Oct. 29 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
This episode highlights the impact of climate change on Long Island’s coastal communities, as residents voice their concerns ahead of the 2024 election. Produced in collaboration with The Express News Group.
- Youth Vote – Premieres Nov. 5 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
This episode focuses on the issues motivating young voters, featuring students and first-time voters mobilizing for change and influencing election outcomes. Produced in collaboration with Hofstra University’s The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.
- 2025 and Beyond – Premieres Nov. 12 on youtube.com/thirteenwnet
This episode takes a forward-looking view at how the results of the 2024 election will shape the future of New York and New Jersey politics, with insights from experts and community leaders. Produced in collaboration with THE CITY.
The series is part of THIRTEEN’s Your Election 2024 initiative, which provides comprehensive election-related programming — available on-air, online, and on YouTube — across THIRTEEN, NJ PBS, and WLIW/WLIW-FM.
Your Voice Matters is produced in collaboration with local partners, including NJ PBS, which provides news coverage across New Jersey; Epicenter NYC, a multiplatform community journalism organization; Hofstra University’s The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, whose students collaborated with the Your Voice Matters team to engage younger audiences; The Express News Group, which covers news across the East End of Long Island; and THE CITY, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to accountability journalism for New Yorkers.
Viewers are invited to join the conversation about the upcoming election and share how they are preparing to vote using the hashtag #ReadytoVote2024. Follow @ThirteenWNET on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to participate and stay connected.
Your Voice Matters is produced by THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Executive producers are Joe Lee, Diane Masciale and Dana Roberson. Shant Alexander is the associate producer. Joe Harrell is the managing editor. Erin McIntyre is the associate director.
Support for Your Voice Matters is provided by the Barbara Hope Foundation and by The WNET Group’s News and Public Affairs Fund. For more information and a list of supporters, please visit: wnet.org/support/wnet-funds/.
Websites:
https://www.thirteen.org/your-election-2024
Facebook: http://facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thirteenwnet
#ReadytoVote2024
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