#Repost @nmaahc with @repostapp ・・・ Maya Angelou once said about her friend and fellow poet, “Sonia Sanchez is a lion in literature’s forest. When she writes, she roars.” Sonia Sanchez was a prominent voice in the Black Arts Movement and a member of the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE) during the 1960s and 70s. She also fought to establish the first university Black Studies program in the U.S., at San Francisco State University in 1966. Our Center for African American Media Arts (CAAMA) is excited to kick off our Women’s History Month film series tonight! We're screening the documentary "BaddDDD" to explore the life of poet and activist, Sonia Sanchez. #WomensHistoryMonth #HiddenHerstory #CAAMA 🎥🎞📽
CBX spoke to the CBAA’s youngest board director, Mikaela Simpson. Perhaps best known for her role as the drive presenter on CAAMA radio, we asked the 2014 CBAA Women’s Representative how she got to where she is today.
How and why did you first get involved in community broadcasting?
It was really by pure luck! Before I joined the sector I was living and working in a small Aboriginal Community, Yuendumu, and decided it was time for a change. I saw an open position at CAAMA Radio, thought “why not?”, and the next thing I knew I was sitting in the CAAMA studios producing and presenting my own drive show.
What is the biggest challenge facing women in the community broadcasting sector?
It’s so difficult to pinpoint one specific challenge, but it is obvious that the representation of men is greater than that of women. We face many different challenges, including no equal pay, and a lack of women representing senior positions. In saying this, I have seen the number of women reps greatly increase at various events I have attended in the past.
Who is your personal mentor?
There is only one woman that comes to mind; my mum. She is the strongest, most supportive person I know and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Her strength and love really help me push on when I feel like caving in.
Why do you think it’s important for the CBAA to have a women’s representative on the board?
It’s so critical. As we all know, we struggle being heard in a room full of men, so to have a position purely dedicated to improving gender equality is fantastic! It’s not about becoming better than men, it’s about becoming equal, the way it should have always been, but is sadly something we are still fighting for.
What made you decide to get involved in the community radio sector at the board level?
I kept seeing all the other fantastic women get up and tell their stories of struggle and I realised I knew where they are coming from. Being an Aboriginal woman I find that I - and other Indigenous women - face a broader range of issues that others may take for granted. I wanted to be able to represent my all of my sisters.
Tell us about your work at CAAMA Radio
It keeps me busy. I am employed full time and have daily duties which include gathering content for our current affairs show, “Strong Voices” and I am probably best known as the Drive presenter. We also have a daily news bulletin which I help to produce and supply content for. I am also one of the producers of our weekly show, “Women’s Business”, which involves talking to strong women who are doing great things for the community.
If you could program your own show what would you broadcast?
It would be a show that focuses on youth issues and the struggles of growing up in today’s society. Being 20 years old I realise the difficulties and pressures of being young and the expectation the world has on you. I just want to supply these kids with a voice to share their [and their peers’] personal stories.
