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Media Releases

Guest User 3/29/21 Guest User 3/29/21

Marin Alsop Named 2021 Classical Woman of the Year by American Public Media’s Performance Today

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 29, 2021 – American Public Media’s Performance Today has named acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop as the 2021 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award recognizes women who have made a significant contribution to the art form or inspired a nominator’s appreciation for the art form.

Alsop was the first woman to lead major orchestras in the United States, South America, Austria and Britain, and serves as Chief Conductor of ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor and Curator of Chicago’s Ravinia Festival.

“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Alsop. “My relationship with Performance Today goes back to the very start of my career and being nominated by today’s PT listeners brings things full circle and makes this a truly special occasion.”

Alsop’s numerous contributions to the art form include innovation, leadership, mentorship, and her powerful voice in the classical world and larger cultural scene. She has served as the Baltimore Symphony’s Music Director for 14 years, a tenure which included her groundbreaking work with OrchKids, a program that fosters social change through the power of music and has reached more than 2,000 students in underserved Baltimore neighborhoods.

Alsop was selected by the staff of Performance Today based on listener nominations, submitted through the month of March. Praise for Alsop in these nominations include:

“…She has awakened in a worldwide community the quest to appreciate, understand and pursue what and how music enlightens and enriches our daily lives.” -Douglas, Oregon
“…She champions new artists and continues the fame of heroes such as Leonard Bernstein. She inspires women and everyone everywhere.” -Ellen, Maryland
“Marin has energized the entire community with her outreach to the citizens of Baltimore city and beyond…” -Robert, Maryland

“I’m thrilled and honored that Marin Alsop is Performance Today’s 2021 Classical Woman of the Year,” said Fred Child, host of Performance Today. “She is an artist among conductors, combining inspiring artistic vision with charismatic presence, galvanizing orchestras and audiences alike. She is also among an elite group of conductors to have held major music directorships on three continents: in Baltimore, Sao Paolo, Vienna, and the UK. Her devotion to education has been unwavering and continues as she is about to introduce a Conducting Academy to the annual National Orchestral Institute. It’s with great pleasure that we recognize Marin with this well-deserved award.”

Alsop is the first and only conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. She holds several academic positions and is founder of the Taki Alsop Concordia Conducting Fellowship, which promotes and nurtures the careers of female conductors.

Alsop will be recognized on the April 2 episode of Performance Today, including an interview with Child about her extensive music career and accomplishments.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches nearly 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 public radio stations and nearly 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ’20.

12/9/20 12/9/20

Don’t Ask Tig: Live with Judd Apatow

Join comedian Tig Notaro and film director Judd Apatow for live podcast event on Dec. 17

ST.PAUL, Minn., Dec. 9, 2020 – American Public Media’s advice podcast Don’t Ask Tig, hosted by standup comedian and actress Tig Notaro, will present its first virtual live show. Don’t Ask Tig: Live with Judd Apatow will take place via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Central Time.

Join Tig along with her friend, film director Judd Apatow to finally say goodbye to 2020. Attendees can expect Tig’s deadpan humor and get some questionable yet heartfelt advice. There will also be some surprises—so don’t ask.

Tickets to this virtual event are sold on a sliding scale starting at a minimum of $12 and can be purchased at dontasktig.org/tickets. Audience members who purchase tickets valued at $40 or more will also receive a signed copy of Tig’s memoir “I’m Just a Person.”

This hour-long show will be recorded and available to ticket holders for viewing after the live event. Ticket holders will also have a chance to submit their own questions to Tig and Judd after confirming their purchase.

What: Don’t Ask Tig: Live with Judd Apatow
When: Thursday, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. CST
Where: Live stream via Zoom
How: Tickets are a sliding scale, starting at $12. All proceeds support this public media podcast. You can purchase tickets here.
Who: This event will be hosted by Tig Notaro, featuring Judd Apatow.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches nearly 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, average of Fall ’19 and Spring ’20.

11/24/20 11/24/20

Terrible, Thanks for Asking Presents: Happyish Holidays Hosted by Nora McInerny

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 24, 2020 – On Thursday, Dec. 3, Terrible, Thanks for Asking, the award-winning podcast from American Public Media, is presenting its annual Happyish Holidays show as a first-ever free virtual livestreaming event. Hosted by podcaster, writer and performer Nora McInerny, the event will invite fans for an evening of comedy, music and an interactive live voting poll on The Best of the Worst Holiday Stories and Photo Award.

“We all know 2020 has been terrible. And, many people, including myself, have a complicated relationship with this season in general.” said McInerny. “I also know from experience that even the worst years have – and need – joy.”

Last year, the Terrible, Thanks for Asking live tour brought a spectacular, theatrical presentation of the podcast to the stage. The team was inspired to produce Happyish Holidays in response to requests from fans, also known as “The Terribles,” to recreate the feeling of community the show’s prior live events had offered. In Happyish Holidays, McInerny and her special guests will bring that same energy to fans, but from the comfort and safety of one’s own home.

What: Happyish Holidays Hosted By Nora McInerny - A Free Virtual Live Show by Terrible, Thanks for Asking
When: Thursday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m. CST
Where: Stream this event at happyishholidays.com
How: This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. You may RSVP at happyishholidays.com
Who: The live show will be hosted by Nora McInerny, featuring special guests.

“Terrible, Thanks for Asking built tremendous momentum in the live events space in 2019, selling out in major media markets across the United States, and then 2020 happened,” said APM’s Managing Director of Multiplatform Sales Strategy and Business Development, Thomas De Napoli. “But it has also offered us an opportunity to be thoughtful about how we can adapt to meet fans where they are, including through interactive livestreaming experiences with innovative partners.”

APM enlisted Stage TEN, a leader in remote broadcast, livestreaming, and interactive video, to produce Happyish Holidays. Stage TEN’s newly launched commerce features will power the show's interactive elements and in-show purchase capabilities. Attendees will be able to purchase limited-edition Terrible, Thanks for Asking holiday merchandise in real-time during the show.

“Our platform was built for this moment and for storytellers like Nora,” said President of Stage TEN Studios, Mike Gaston. “The holidays can be a tough time for some of us in any year, but 2020, has felt like an endurance test. Live streaming, interactive video is how we can reify our relationships to one another. And there’s no one better to remind us that even when it’s tough to feel celebratory, at least we have each other.”

Episodes of Terrible, Thanks for Asking are available on Apple Podcasts and all other podcast platforms.

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches nearly 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, average of Fall ’19 and Spring ’20.

About Stage TEN
Stage TEN’s technology is changing the future of live, interactive content for creators and brands. Delivering the core capabilities of a broadcast control room in a simple web application, Stage TEN enables users to easily produce and distribute professional streams, allowing users to interact and transact with followers around the globe. Live shows can be monetized through transactions and multi-streamed to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and Twitter pages for ultimate reach.

11/11/20 11/11/20

American Public Media Group Supports Launch of Lunar Startups as an Independent Nonprofit to Build a More Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Lunar Startups Launching Campaign to Support BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & Women-Owned Businesses

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 12, 2020 — American Public Media Group (APMG) today announced that Lunar Startups, a program of the organization’s Glen Nelson Center, is launching as an independent nonprofit with a mission to create a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Thanks to support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, APMG’s Glen Nelson Center served as Lunar Startups’ program incubator for the past three years, making it possible for Lunar to now scale its impact as an independent entity.

Lunar was the first new business launched by the Glen Nelson Center, a philanthropy-backed innovation center that accelerates and invests in startup media ventures with a strong commitment to racial and gender equity. Opened in 2018, Glen Nelson Center is named in memory of Dr. Glen Nelson, a longtime supporter, board member, and board chair at Minnesota Public Radio and APMG who passed away in 2016.

“Lunar Startups is doing extraordinary and important work,” said Jon McTaggart, president and CEO, APMG. “We are thrilled Lunar is ready to grow the vital service it plays in our startup ecosystem, and we are grateful for the generous support of the Knight Foundation.”

Startups that graduate from accelerator programs have an estimated 23% higher survival rate than other new businesses, but women and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs participate in these programs at exceptionally low rates.

“The traditional accelerator playbook doesn’t work for the majority of entrepreneurs,” says Lunar Startups Executive Director Danielle Steer. “We built Lunar with CEOs who identify as BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ so that we could meet their unique needs, providing substantive value, not performative support.”

The Lunar programming provides a holistic system of resources, capital, peer networks, and professional connections that clarify a pathway to scale. Lunar Startups’ philosophy is grounded in the belief that scaled-up, inclusive entrepreneurship is the most important strategy to build community wealth, mitigate race- and gender-based economic gaps, and increase the number of high-quality jobs available for marginalized professionals in the Twin Cities region and beyond.

Lunar Startups is kicking off an ambitious, three-year campaign that is foundational to its launch, with a goal to raise $2 million by the end of 2023. To date, Lunar Startups has raised $65,000 with the goal of raising $100,000 by the end of 2020.

In three years, Lunar Startups’ first 32 cohort companies have created 56 high-quality jobs, engaged 180 contractors, raised $2.8 million in capital and generated $7.8 million in revenue.

Steer says this is just the beginning. "Our economy needs entrepreneurs now more than ever to recover from the numerous crises of 2020. We know that elevating entrepreneurs in whom we have historically underinvested will be critical to our success as a community," she said.

On the heels of an unprecedented election and in the midst of a global pandemic and social reckoning, Lunar Startups is creating real traction and change, driven by the recognition that society must invest in the future of emerging entrepreneurial businesses if the country is to rebound successfully from COVID-19. To create lasting racial and gender equity, Lunar Startups is seeking support from individuals and companies who want to support underinvested businesses and BIPOC, women and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

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About Lunar Startups
Lunar Startups is a nonprofit that accelerates high-potential businesses led by CEOs who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, and LGBTQ. These entrepreneurs are building the next generation of exceptional companies tackling the greatest challenges facing our communities, our country, and our world. Learn more: https://www.lunarstartups.org/.

About American Public Media Group
American Public Media Group is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. Supported financially by contributions from individual donors, sponsors, philanthropic foundations as well as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio®, a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media®, reaches nearly 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM also offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on American Public Media Group, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

11/12/20 11/12/20

The Splendid Table Presents Turkey Confidential On Thanksgiving Day

Join Francis Lam with guests Jacques Pépin, Samin Nosrat, Mike Solomonov, Sohla El-Waylly and Nora McInerny on November 26.

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 12, 2020 – American Public Media’s broadcast The Splendid Table returns with its beloved annual public radio Thanksgiving tradition Turkey Confidential. Host Francis Lam and his culinary companions are back for an afternoon of holiday storytelling and cooking advice on Thanksgiving Day, November 26.

From those who need help creating a turkey dinner for one to those planning a socially distanced Thanksgiving meal exchange, Francis and his all-star lineup of guests are here to answer Thanksgiving distress calls during this unparalleled holiday season.

Like many others, The Splendid Table team will be celebrating Thanksgiving a little differently this year and will have a change to its normal format. Instead of taking calls live, the team will answer pre-recorded questions sent in by listeners in advance.

Joining Francis on this year’s show are a group of spirited guests, including:

Jacques Pépin, a notable public television host, author and chef. Pépin is the winner of sixteen James Beard Awards, a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award and author of twenty-nine cookbooks.
Samin Nosrat, a cook, teacher, and author of the James Beard award-winning #1 New York Times best seller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Nosrat is a food columnist at The New York Times Magazine, host and executive producer of the Netflix original documentary series based on her book and the co-host of the podcast Home Cooking.
Mike Solomonov, a James Beard Award winner for “Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic,” author of the bestselling book Israeli Soul and owner of Zahav restaurant in Philadelphia.
Sohla El- Waylly, a recipe developer and video host well known for her appearances on Bon Appetit, Food52 and Andrew Rea’s Babish Culinary Universe YouTube channel.
Nora McInerny, an author, performer, entrepreneur and host of APM’s award-winning podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking.

Listeners can check their local public radio station’s schedule to see if The Splendid Table is available for listening in their area. The Splendid Table also provides a Thanksgiving Guide for recipes and menus as well as more holiday-themed interviews and advice. Tag @splendidtable on Instagram to share Thanksgiving feast photos with the Turkey Confidential team.

The Splendid Table, public radio’s food program and podcast, has been celebrating the intersection of food and life for more than two decades. As a culinary, culture and lifestyle program, it has hosted our nation’s conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture and has introduced Americans to generations of food dignitaries.

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About American Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reachesnearly 17 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, average of Fall ’19 and Spring ’20.

10/1/20 10/1/20

Francis Lam Named New Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Clarkson Potter

Host of American Public Media’s The Splendid Table promoted by renowned publisher

ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 1, 2020 –Today, Penguin Random House imprint Clarkson Potter announces Francis Lam as their new Vice President and Editor-in-Chief. Clarkson Potter focuses on publishing works by award-winning and bestselling chefs, cooks, designers, artists and writers. Lam, who is also the host of American Public Media’s award-winning food program The Splendid Table, previously served as Clarkson Potter’s Editor-at-Large since 2013.

Lam’s prior work at the publishing company was centered on his commitment to celebrating emerging and diverse voices in America’s food culture. Lam was the editor behind some of the most creative and best-selling cookbooks in recent memory. These include two The New York Times bestselling books by Chrissy Teigen, Cravings and Cravings: Hungry for More; David Chang’s current bestselling memoir, Eat a Peach; Toni Tipton-Martin’s acclaimed cookbook, Jubilee and the 2017 James Beard Cookbook of the Year, Victuals, by Ronni Lundy.

“We could not be more thrilled for Francis,” said Sally Swift, co-creator and managing producer of APM’s The Splendid Table. “It is an opportune time in publishing for Francis’ distinctive voice and his devotion to telling the stories of the underrepresented. His perspective on life will do a great deal to move us all along in the right direction, just as he does here weekly on The Splendid Table.”

Lam is a multiple James Beard Award winner and has been the host of APM’s The Splendid Table since 2017.

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About American Public Media

American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

8/26/20 8/26/20

American Public Media Teams up with reVolverpodcasts to Deliver Spanish Language Programming

APM’s podcast unit partners with reVolverpodcasts, a multicultural digital audio network, to launch Spanish production of kids science podcast, Brains On!

ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 26, 2020 – American Public Media today announces a partnership with reVolverpodcasts, a leader in on-demand audio geared towards multicultural consumers. Through this new venture, APM and reVolverpodcasts will produce Spanish language podcast programming.

APM and reVolverpodcasts first collaboration will be the Spanish production of Brains On! The award-winning science podcast for kids and curious adults is produced by APM. Host Molly Bloom is joined by kid co-hosts, scientists, and reporters to answer fascinating questions about the world. With over 150 episodes, the show encourages kids’ natural curiosity and wonder using science and history.

The new Brains On! en Español will be APM’s first Spanish language podcast. Through this partnership with reVolverpodcasts, APM hopes to expand its audience by making its content available to new and diverse listeners. The first season of Brains On! en Español will include 12 episodes and will feature Spanish-speaking scientists and kids, following the same concept as the original show.

“Honoring our growing multicultural audience at APM means more than translating our existing content, “ said APM’s Managing Director of Sales Strategy and Business Development, Tom De Napoli. “We’re proud of the work we’re doing with reVolverpodcasts to exclusively feature Spanish-speaking scientists, experts and kids at the forefront of Brains On en Español, because we know that to authentically connect with the youngest and fastest growing multicultural groups in the United States, representation is even more important than translation.”

reVolverpodcasts produces top news and entertainment programming for Latino consumers and is in partnership with iHeartRadio, the exclusive sales representative of reVolverpodcasts network.

“Education is one of the most important issues for the Hispanic community, making sure Latino youth receive the best learning opportunities is everybody’s work [including] parents, teachers, and multicultural media such as reVolverpodcasts,” said Jack Hobbs, President of reVolverpodcasts. “We are proud to add the award-winning science podcast for kids Brains On! en Español to our digital platform and supporting our future generation.”

Brains On! en Español will be available exclusively on a major podcast platform that will be announced this fall.

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About American Public Media

About reVolverpodcasts
reVolverpodcasts is the leading multicultural, audio-on-demand content creator and distributor in the U.S. Home to “El Show de Piolín,” “The Power of Us,” and “Don Cheto, Al Aire” plus more than 50 additional programs spanning sports, music, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, health and wellness, inspiration, news, branded content and live events, the podcasts are distributed on reVolverPodcasts.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora and iHeartMedia. For more information about the company, visit www.reVolverpodcasts.com

7/29/20 7/29/20

In Deep Brings the State of Water Systems to the Surface Aug. 5

New podcast form APM’s The Water Main asks all Americans:
“Do you know where your water’s been?”

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 29, 2020 – A new podcast from American Public Media (APM) will soon immerse listeners in the history, systems, and policies of one of our most precious resources. Produced by APM’s water initiative, The Water Main, In Deep explores the labyrinth of how our water is cleaned, managed, and delivered – from toilet to tap.

Former Marketplace sustainability reporter Jed Kim and a team of reporters will take In Deep listeners across the United States – from Florida’s Tampa Bay to Chicago – to tell the stories of something we often take for granted: clean water.

A trailer is now available for early listening at InDeep.org.

"Too often, our water is out of sight and out of mind, shunted around in mysterious networks below our feet. We take the cleanliness of our water for granted, and it's only when water gets contaminated that we're reminded how key those systems are to our survival," said Kim. “These systems are fascinating, but they’re also aging. We wanted to show listeners how it all works and what’s required to keep it working.”

Launching Aug. 5, In Deep delivers the engrossing stories of how our water is not only delivered, but also how it’s kept clean. The reporting team will take listeners deep into wastewater treatment, toxic pipes and sewer networks. No need to pinch your nose – In Deep will bring this reporting directly to your headphones, including what sewage can tell us about the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of climate change on water health and the state of funding for water infrastructure projects.

Over the course of eight episodes, In Deep will feature conversations with water advocates, historians, scientists, politicians, and everyday citizens who know firsthand the importance of maintaining our water systems and the danger presented if they fail.

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About The Water Main
The Water Main was created by American Public Media in 2017 to serve current and new audiences, by growing a new public service model that shapes and inform critical conversations and decisions in society. The Water Main serves as a social impact arm of American Public Media that harnesses the expertise and resources of APM –research, journalism, storytelling, convening, community engagement, and reach across an audience of 19 million – to make a lasting difference in how Americans think, feel, and act on issues of water in their communities and across the country. Learn more at thewatermain.org.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

7/22/20 7/22/20

APM Reports’ Educate to Release Three New Audio Documentaries on Education in America

New documentaries feature COVID-19 effects on higher education and new reading education reporting by Emily Hanford

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 22, 2020 — APM Reports, the documentary and investigative unit of American Public Media, is releasing three new stories in its Educate series that will examine the latest challenges in education, starting July 29.

“Covid on Campus,” this year’s premiere documentary in Educate, covers the threat coronavirus poses to institutions of higher education. Producers Sasha Aslanian and Stephen Smith explore how the economic, social and health pressures created by the COVID-19 virus disproportionately impact students of color and those from disadvantaged communities. This hour-long special will look at the broader issues of equity and change in higher education provoked by the pandemic. “Covid on Campus” will debut on July 29.

In the second story of the Educate series, acclaimed education reporter Emily Hanford returns with continued reporting on the science behind reading comprehension and why many American children develop poor reading skills. In her new documentary “What the Words Say,” Hanford explores the link between poverty and reading achievement. She takes listeners to a juvenile detention center in Texas, where 40 to 50 percent of the incarcerated youth struggle to read. Hanford also speaks with a Nashville school district mother who has been fighting for years to get her son proper reading instruction. This new reporting is an expansion of Hanford’s prior work on how kids learn to read. Previously, Hanford investigated why kids with dyslexia did not receive adequate help, why more than half of U.S. fourth graders didn’t test proficiently in reading and why many schools’ reading curriculum were not aligned with the scientific findings on how to read. “What the Words Say” comes out August 6.

The final documentary from Educate examines the racial climate on college campuses in “Black at Mizzou.” Across the country, most college and university presidents rate the racial climate on their campus as “good” or “excellent,” but many students of color have a far different opinion. This documentary centers on the Black student experience at the University of Missouri, and the racist incidents that brought the campus to widespread protests and national attention in 2015. It will focus on how Black students created their own spaces inside the university. “Black at Mizzou” will be released on August 14 and is funded by the Lumina’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity.

Listeners can subscribe and listen to these audio documentaries on the Educate podcast. The stories will also air on public radio stations across the country and available for streaming on apmreports.org. Follow APM Reports on Facebook and Twitter to stay informed.

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About American Public Media

7/20/20 7/20/20

Tales of Corporate Catastrophe Continue in Spectacular Failures Season Two

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 20, 2020 — American Public Media’s business podcast Spectacular Failures- a show on corporate business disasters- hosted by Lauren Ober returns for its second season on August 3.

Listen to the trailer of Spectacular Failures season two here. To support the show and get early access to the first two episodes, donate by July 23 at spectacularfailures.org/donate.

The new season of Spectacular Failures brings listeners fresh stories of business flops - ranging from the criminal to the absurd - through Ober’s signature narrative style, interviews and original in-depth reporting.

Ober is a charming storyteller whose curiosity about the causes of the biggest business blunders and breakdowns makes her an entertaining companion for audiences. In a genre that is often dominated by male voices, Ober lends her unique perspective to give listeners a fresh look at the stories she covers. She shines a light on how these business stories are also human stories and shows how at the end of the day, the rich and powerful are just as fallible as the rest of us.

The season premiere dives into a current business that has a shot at not being a “spectacular failure” — Blue Apron. The company struggled to keep its cost in check and to keep the dwindling customer base it had; plus, there were all the other meal delivery companies to compete with. But then COVID-19 struck. The closure of restaurants and the increased interest in home cooked meals gave the company new life, and its stock price jumped. Listen to Ober follow the company in real time and find out if Blue Apron is making the most of its unlikely lifeline.

Spectacular Failures will also dive into the retro glamour days of air travel on Pan Am; the nation’s largest dairy processor Dean Foods going belly up; Forever 21 closing up shop due to the changing whims of teens and the rise of online shopping; and many other stories of corporate tragedy that can’t be missed.

“With all the economic unease caused by the current pandemic, Spectacular Failures provides both entertainment and deeply needed perspective on the historical causes of business failures” said APM’s Lauren Dee, executive producer of Spectacular Failures. “These stories of human failure and corporate missteps provide context for the economic issues we are dealing with today. Fortunately, the show tells these tales in a way that anyone can understand and enjoy, no MBA needed.”

Listeners can find Spectacular Failures on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms. Learn more at www.spectacularfailures.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

7/15/20 7/15/20

Comedian and Actor Tig Notaro Partners with American Public Media to Host Advice Podcast: Don't Ask Tig

ST. PAUL, Minn., July 15, 2020 — American Public Media is working with renowned comedian Tig Notaro to deliver a dose of honest advice in Don’t Ask Tig, a new podcast. Tig and her guests will do their best to answer life’s most pressing questions, from how to get over heartbreak to how to cut your own hair with toddler scissors. The show will serve up both levity and wisdom in a time when so many people are looking for answers. Don’t Ask Tig premieres July 22.

Listeners can subscribe to Don’t Ask Tig and hear the trailer here.

Named by Rolling Stone one of the best stand-up comics of all time, Tig is bringing her mix of deadpan humor and radical honesty to this new show. Whether she’s talking about how she made it through her own cancer diagnosis or how she and her wife, Stephanie, are keeping their 4-year-old twins entertained during quarantine, Tig gets personal as she answers listeners’ pleas for advice.

With the help of a rotating cast of guests—including Will Ferrell, Sarah Cooper and Glennon Doyle—Tig will field listener’s questions on topics spanning the whole range of human experience.

“I call the show ‘Don't Ask Tig’ because I want to warn people in advance to not ask for my advice,” said Tig. “Listeners will likely find that I may not always have the answers, but I'm having a great time trying to help as we all deal with so much uncertainty. My guests are hilarious and insightful, and I'm tremendously excited to share their humor and wisdom with the world.”

Tig was an early voice in the podcasting world, having hosted Professor Blastoff from 2011 to 2015. “Tig is the perfect host to help us see real life—as hard and ridiculous as it may be right now—with humor and clarity,” said APM’s Lauren Dee, executive producer of Don’t Ask Tig. “During these challenging times when we are stuck at home alone or with partners, spouses, roommates, or kids, Don’t Ask Tig is the escape we all need. The show offers real help, even if it’s just a good dose of laughter.”

Don’t Ask Tig episodes are released weekly and will include original new music by Edie Brickell, one of Tig’s all-time favorite artists. Listeners can find Don’t Ask Tig on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Learn more at www.dontasktig.org and follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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About American Public Media

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

7/14/20 7/14/20

Marketplace Launches Its First-Ever Kids' Podcast About Money

New podcast Million Bazillion helps dollars make more sense for parents and kids—featuring celebrity guest voices like Kristen Bell, Duff Goldman and LeVar Burton

LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2020 — Announced today, Marketplace will debut its first-ever kids’ podcast called Million Bazillion, a show about money for kids and their families. In collaboration with popular children’s podcast Brains On!, Million Bazillion helps dollars make more sense. Hosted by Marketplace reporter Jed Kim and overseen by senior producer Bridget Bodnar, the team answers the awkward, uncomfortable and sometimes surprising questions that kids have about money. Million Bazillion is presented by Greenlight: The Debit Card for Kids.

Episode one premieres July 21. Listen to the Million Bazillion trailer and subscribe here.

Million Bazillion makes money fun, tackling tough topics like: Who invented money? How do we learn to negotiate? How should we caution kids about advertising? And, why do things cost what they do? Jed will help kids, and their parents and guardians, answer these questions.

Marketplace is on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country—and that means reaching new audiences, including kids and parents.

“As a parent of a 5- and 10-year-old, I need more shows like Million Bazillion in my life – something genuinely fun to listen to that’s also educational. Million Bazillion will help families and kids understand the complicated financial world around them,” says Sitara Nieves, Marketplace’s executive director of on-demand. “This is an exciting way to bring Marketplace’s mission of raising the economic intelligence of the country to a new generation, and we believe that teaching financial literacy is more important in these times than ever.”

This announcement comes on the heels of another Marketplace release—the launch of Marketplace Minute— a 60-second economic news report distributed nationally on commercial radio. This was a first-of-its-kind partnership bringing Marketplace’s signature business and economic storytelling to the nation’s largest commercial audio network.

About the Team:

Jed Kim is the host of Marketplace’s kids’ podcast, Million Bazillion. In addition to his work on the show, Jed hosts American Public Media’s podcast about water infrastructure called In Deep and has contributed to three seasons of APM kids’ podcast Smash Boom Best. He also recently hosted a radio special, Just Eat It, about the environmental challenges of food production and waste. Prior to hosting, Jed was a Marketplace reporter covering sustainability. He has deep roots in public media—before Marketplace, he was an environmental reporter at KPCC and producer for The Takeaway at WNYC.

Bridget Bodnar is the senior producer of Million Bazillion, overseeing the complete production process from piloting to launch, including development, writing, co-hosting and celebrity booking. Prior to that, she worked as a producer for Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal, where she produced major editorial projects for the daily show, booked major interviews with CEOs and policymakers and produced host field interviews. Since joining Marketplace in 2011, she has worked in various capacities on multiple programs in the Marketplace portfolio. Prior to her days at Marketplace, Bridget interned for the Los Angeles bureau chief of KQED and at Michigan Radio in Ann Arbor.

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About Marketplace

Marketplace^® is on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country. Its core programs — Marketplace^®, Marketplace Morning Report^® and Marketplace Tech^®— are currently broadcast on more than 800 public radio stations nationwide and heard by nearly 14 million weekly listeners. Marketplace podcasts, including Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly, TheUncertain Hour^® and Corner Office, can be found at Marketplace.org or on your favorite podcast app. The Marketplace portfolio of programs are produced and distributed by American Public Media^®, one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world. For more information on Marketplace, visit marketplace.org, follow on Twitter @marketplace or Facebook.

About American Public Media

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

6/30/20 6/30/20

Drew Murphy Named Newest Member of APM Group Board of Trustees

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 30, 2020 — American Public Media Group (APMG) has named Drew Murphy as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. Murphy is senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Edison International.

As vice chair of Southern California Public Radio’s board of trustees, Murphy will serve as SCPR representative in his role with the APMG Board. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) and SCPR both operate as part of APMG.

“We are fortunate to add Drew’s strategic experience and his passion for public media to the APMG board,” said Jon McTaggart, CEO of APMG. “His involvement within both the SCPR and APMG boards provides valuable insights that he brings to our discussions and decision-making.”

Murphy’s work at Edison International has focused on the organization’s strategic planning processes and those of its subsidiaries. His responsibilities include the advancement of strategic initiatives and assessing new opportunities.

Murphy previously served as senior managing director at Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. He also has held several senior executive positions at NRG Energy, Inc., including executive vice president, general counsel, executive vice president of Strategy and Mergers and Acquisitions, and Northeast Region executive vice president and president.

Murphy was a partner at Hunton & Williams LLP, leading the global energy, infrastructure, and project finance practice. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard College and earned his juris doctorate degree from George Washington University, where he was a member of the George Washington Law Review.

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About American Public Media Group

American Public Media Group is the largest station-based public radio organization in the U.S., combining multi-regional station operations, national programming creation and distribution and innovative digital, social and mobile services in one organization. APMG’s operations include Minnesota Public Radio®, a 46-station network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, and Southern California Public Radio, a four-station network serving Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County and the Inland Empire. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media®, reach 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business, and investigative journalism. For more information on American Public Media Group, visit americanpublicmediagroup.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio. Data are estimates only.

6/11/20 6/11/20

American Public Media’s Award-Winning Science Podcast Brains On! Receives National Science Foundation Grant

Brains On! and the Science Museum of Minnesota explore the impact COVID-19 education has on children’s virus-related worry and fear

ST. PAUL, Minn., JUNE 11, 2020— Brains On!, the award-winning science podcast for curious kids and families from American Public Media, in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, is the recipient of a National Science Foundation Rapid Response Research grant to fund their project in the category of “Addressing Families’ COVID-19 Information and Education Needs Through Podcast Media.”

Brains On! and SMM will join forces for a 12-month research project analyzing how listening to Brains On! coronavirus related content affects children’s understanding of scientific concepts related to the pandemic. The study will test Brains On! and SMM’s current hypothesis: that children who are introduced to kid-friendly science-based reporting on COVID-19 will have lower levels of worry and fear of the pandemic. Through this process, the organizations also hope to empower children to ask pandemic-related questions and engage in more science-based conversations with their families.

“We hope our research will provide important insights for the informal science education field on how to best support the unique needs of kids and their families not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but future global crises,” said Dr. Amy Grack Nelson, the evaluation and research manager at SMM. The research will be conducted via online surveys of Brains On! listener families with children ages 5 to 12. To participate in the survey, sign up at brainson.org/research.

The grant will support the production of three additional COVID-19 podcast episodes from Brains On! There will also be an online hub accessible for families to find COVID-19 information as well as previous pandemic related episodes such as "Staying home: how social distancing helps fight coronavirus" and "Virus busters: how scientists are working to stop the coronavirus."

“We feel it’s really important to help kids understand what’s happening by giving them clear, straight-forward information that doesn’t talk down to them but also doesn’t provoke fear,” said Molly Bloom, host of Brains On! “It’s also really important for us to have opportunities to hear kids’ questions and their experiences during this pandemic—and for these episodes to have a bit of fun as well.”

The NSF’s RAPID funding mechanism is currently focused on projects working towards understanding the spread of COVID-19 and encourage the development of processes and actions to address this current global challenge.

This project will continue through April of 2021. Findings will be shared throughout the project to a wide range of audiences that will be able to immediately apply the findings to create media and other coronavirus-related educational resources for families. Moreover, research results will be shared through webinars and on BrainsOn.org and informalscience.org.

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About American Public Media

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘19.

About National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2020, its budget is $8.3 billion. NSF funds research in all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 50,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards.

About the Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the state’s most beloved museums, with a reach that extends well beyond its riverfront location in downtown Saint Paul. Along with serving hundreds of thousands of people each year through its unique combination of cutting-edge technology, hands-on STEM exploration, and world-class collection of fossils and artifacts, the museum reaches schools in all 87 Minnesota counties; provides critical STEM workforce development and leadership training for youth; and conducts research on water quality, climate change, paleontology and archaeology in locations around the world. Equity work is in the Science Museum’s DNA, demonstrated through its commitment to being a resource to the entire community – at a time when science and scientific learning and equitable access to STEM and STEM careers is more critical than ever. For more information, visit smm.org.

6/10/20 6/10/20

APM Reports' In the Dark Wins Second Peabody Award

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 10, 2020 – APM Reports’ investigative podcast In the Dark has been honored with a Peabody Award in the Podcast & Radio category for its coverage of the Curtis Flowers Supreme Court arguments, decision and aftermath. Announced today, the Peabody Awards honor the previous year’s most compelling stories presented by television, radio and digital media.

Thirty Peabody Awards were granted from the 60 nominees across categories.

In the Dark’s first season won a Peabody Award in 2016 for an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of Jacob Wetterling, a Minnesota boy whose disappearance in 1989 went unsolved 27 years.

In the podcast’s second season, In the Dark journalists identified significant flaws, misconduct and a constitutional rights violation in the investigation and prosecution of a 1996 quadruple homicide in Winona, Miss.

The accused man – Curtis Flowers – had been tried six times for the crime. When In the Dark journalists began their reporting, Flowers was on death row. After the initial release of In the Dark’s second season, attorneys for Flowers’ appeal included ample reporting from the podcast in their petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. In June 2019, the Court overturned Flowers’ conviction, and in December, Flowers was released on bail.

Downloaded more than 37 million times, In the Dark’s second season has received numerous accolades, including the 2020 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, which was granted last week to APM Reports for In the Dark’s coverage of the Flowers Supreme Court decision and aftermath.

In addition, In The Dark was the first podcast to receive the George Polk Award, won a 2020 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, earned a 2020 Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association, and was nominated for a Peabody Award in 2019. For her work on In the Dark’s second season, host and lead reporter Madeleine Baran was named the Burton Award’s 2019 Outstanding Journalist in Law.

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About APM Reports
APM Reports, formed in November 2015, is a collection of investigative journalists and documentary producers, editors, data reporters, researchers and digital producers dedicated to producing high-quality reporting on issues that are often hidden from public view. At the heart of every APM Reports investigation lies a critical question — about powerful institutions and people, injustice and accountability – that deserves an unflinching commitment to finding answers in the public’s best interest. Visit apmreports.org for more.

About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of American Public Media Group and reaches 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘19.

4/15/20 4/15/20

Julie Andrews to Host Storytelling Podcast for Children in Julie's Library, Launching April 29

Andrews and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton bring modern children’s literature to life in new podcast from American Public Media

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 15, 2020— American Public Mediapresents Julie’s Library, a newchildren’s literacy program hosted by acclaimed actress and best-selling authorJulie Andrews, along with her daughter, award-winning writer and educator EmmaWalton Hamilton. The podcast launches April 29, and will feature weeklyepisodes of Andrews and Hamilton reading their favorite children’s books.

Subscribe and listen to the trailer here.

Due to the widespread issuance of COVID-19 related stay-at-homeorders, Andrews and Hamilton are releasing the first six episodes early tobring the comfort of storytelling to families during these unprecedented times.More episodes will return later this year.

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Perfect for childrenages 4-10, but also aimed at multi-generational family audiences, each episodeof Julie’s Library invites listenersto immerse themselves in the wonder of books. Every story is brought to lifethrough music, sound design and special guest appearances. Listeners will alsohear directly from other kids, who share their imaginative ideas and favoritenew vocabulary words.

For Andrews and Hamilton, reading is a familyaffair. “When I became a parent, I passed the love of reading on to mychildren. My daughter and I have co-authored over 30 books for children andyoung adults, and our shared passion for the power of storytelling, literacy,and the arts remains fervent,” said Andrews. “It is our hope that the storiesand ideas we share on Julie’s Library willprovide family listening pleasure, inspire meaningful conversations, and be atrusted resource for literary enjoyment and learning.”

Julie’s Library is produced by American Public Media, an industryleader in kids podcasting that includes notable shows such as Brains On! and Smash Boom Best.

Julie’s Library is available on Apple Podcasts and on other podcastplatforms. Sign up for the newsletter to receive additional reading andactivity recommendations mentioned in the podcast at www.JuliesLibraryShow.org. Listeners can also follow along for updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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About American Public Media

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘19.

4/2/20 4/2/20

Mental Well-Being & Coronavirus: Call to Mind Publishes Online Resource Guide for Mental Well-Being

Compiled credibleonline resources dedicated to mental wellness for individuals, organizations

ST. PAUL, Minn., April 2, 2020 – In response to the widespread change induced by COVID-19 in our lives, Call to Mind – American Public Media’s initiative to foster new conversations about mental health – has launched a site dedicated to mental wellness resources.

CalltoMindNow.org includes extensive resources and blog posts from trusted public health and mental health organizations including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America and others. These relevant tips and recommendations have been compiled with the goal of reaching individuals where they’re at with ways to cope and manage their mental well-being in this uncertain time.

This is a toolkit for everyone: media outletscovering coronavirus and compiling resources for audiences, organizationslooking to support their employees, and individuals seeking tools to aid theirmental wellness.

Topics covered in CalltoMindNow.orginclude:

Self-care during the pandemic
Coping with stress and anxiety during COVID-19
Dealing with loneliness and isolation
Talking with kids about COVID-19
Digital distractions
Living with your mental illness
How to get help
Resources if you are in a crisis

“So many of us have had our lives upturned by the presenceof COVID-19 in our communities. It’s important to prioritize physical health,but this pandemic’s effect on our mental health cannot be ignored,” saidBabette Apland, managing director of Call to Mind.

“This new source of stress, compiled with isolation, canlead to anxiety and loneliness for many of us, and can exacerbate illness forpeople already dealing with a mental health condition,” said Apland. “The goalwith our site is to have one place with trusted information on ways to cope andhow to seek help if you need it.”

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About American Public Media
American Public Media® is everywhere you listen. The national programming arm of Minnesota Public Radio, APM reaches 19 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programming in the nation. APM’s award-winning podcasts span the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment. For more information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘19

3/25/20 3/25/20

Valerie Coleman Named 2020 Classical Woman of the Year by American Public Media's Performance Today

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 26, 2020 – Performance Today has named flutist and composer Valerie Coleman as the 2020 Classical Woman of the Year. The honor is granted annually to a woman who has made a significant contribution to classical music as a performer, composer, conductor, music teacher or supporter.

“Valerie is an extraordinary flutist, composer andfounder of a groundbreaking ensemble, with an unflagging devotion to teachingand mentorship,” said Fred Child,host of Performance Today. “Our choice was clear. We are proud to nameher as this year’s Classical Woman of the Year.”

Coleman will be honored on tomorrow’s episode of PerformanceToday and she will speak with Child about her extensive career in classical music and pieceson which she’s currently working. Performance Today will air a showfocusing on Coleman’s music and performances on Wednesday, April 8.

"I am grateful to Performance Today and its listeners for supporting my music and naming me their Classical Woman of the Year,” said Coleman. “It is a privilege and I hope that my work as a flutist, composer, and educator at the Frost School of Music creates bridges and inspires healing to all who experience it, including the hybrid artists of tomorrow.”

A GRAMMY-nominated artist, Coleman is the founder and formermember of the internationally acclaimed ensemble Imani Winds. She has received manyawards and commissions from organizations including Carnegie Hall, AmericanComposers Orchestra and The Library of Congress.

Named one of the “Top 35 Women Composers” byWashington Post, Coleman is widely recognized for her composition “Umoja,”which made its orchestral debut last fall with the Philadelphia Orchestra atCarnegie Hall.

Coleman has dedicated much of her career to makingmusic inclusive and is an advocate and mentor for emerging artists. She joinedthe faculty of Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in 2018 as AssistantProfessor of Performance, Chamber Music and Entrepreneurship. She has ledmasterclasses across the United States and created the Imani Winds ChamberMusic Festival, a New York City program devoted to career development and excellence.

“Professor Coleman is at the forefront and is anexemplar of 21st century musical careers. She is brilliant and renowned as aflute soloist, composer, chamber musician, ensemble leader, and entrepreneur,”said Shelton G. Berg, Dean of the Frost School of Music. “This is the elevatedskill set we want for students in the Frost School of Music, and it is therecipe for being named Classical Woman of the Year!”

Coleman was selected by the staff of Performance Today based on listener nominations. Throughout the month of March, listeners submitted nominations of those who inspired them through their contributions to classical music.

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About American PublicMedia
American Public Media® is everywhere you listen. The national programmingarm of Minnesota Public Radio, APM reaches 19 million listeners viaapproximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of thelargest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world,with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leadingclassical music programming in the nation. APM’s award-winning podcasts spanthe best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment. Formore information on MPR, visit minnesotapublicradio.org.For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.

Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ’18/Spring ‘19

Photo Courtesy of JAbreu

3/13/20 3/13/20

MPR Canceling and Postponing Public Events March 14-April 24

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 13, 2020 — In response to growing concernssurrounding COVID-19, Minnesota Public Radio will cancel all public eventsbeginning March 14 through April 24.

This decision was made out of an abundance of caution, and inconsideration of best practices recommended made by the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, and the cities ofMinneapolis and St. Paul.

Ticketholders will be contacted directly regarding refunds orexchanges in the case of postponement. MPR will share updates regarding eventsas they become available.

The wellbeing of our audiences is of the utmost importance toMPR. We appreciate our audiences’ patience, flexibility, and understanding aswe navigate this rapidly changing situation.

For more information, please visit mprevents.org or contact MPR Member &Audience Services at 800-228-7123.

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About Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio® operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states for more than 50 years. Reaching more than 1 million listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services—MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current®—produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Programs produced by MPR’s national programming division, American Public Media®, more than 19 million listeners via 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, and produces award-winning podcasts spanning the best in investigative journalism, food, business and entertainment.

3/5/20 3/5/20

Lunar Startups Welcomes Largest Cohort with 15 Companies

St.Paul, Minn., March 5, 2020 – Lunar Startups is proud to announce the companiesselected to participate in Cohort 3, the largest group of high-growth,early-stage startups to join Lunar's accelerator program. Beginning March 9, 15companies will join a community dedicated to their success, including a year'sworth of coaching, resources, cash grants, and customized programming.

"Cohort3 is the next step in our movement to make more Minnesota millionaires. Icouldn't be more excited to work with such an impressive group of founders anddive into the big problems they're working to solve," said Danielle Steer,managing director of Lunar Startups.

A program of AmericanPublic Media’s Glen Nelson Center, Lunar Startups welcomes thefollowing companies to Cohort 3:

Bim Bam Boo - Curbing climate change andempowering health with the first bamboo toilet paper designed for women.
CheqrPay - Streamlining the givingprocess for non-profit organizations by fully utilizing mobile wallet technology.
Coconut Whisk - A proudly vegan baking mixcompany giving back with every sale.
Cytilife - A smart campus solution forhigher education that integrates non-academic factors of student success toincrease retention.
Events by Lady K - Partnering with mission-drivenclients to create mission-centered events where every attendee feels welcomed,celebrated, and included.
Feminist Book Club - Building feminist communities andpromoting women-owned businesses with a monthly subscription box.
Imagine Deliver - A consulting firm for the new majority, buildingbetter strategies that center users as the most important designer.
Minneapolis Craft Market - Elevating designers and makers ofthe North and spurring local economic activity with pop-up craft markets.
NEOO Partners, Inc. - Helping cities, local non-profits,and small businesses do the right thing, the first time in commercial realestate and urban planning.
Peach Mindfulness - Harnessing AI technology to createthe world's first intelligent meditation guru.
Rocky Robinson, a brandfor girls- Encouraging black girls to be their very best with Rocky Robinson, acharacter featured in online content, games, and more.
Safe Resell - Increasing integrity andreducing crime on a cashless, user-driven marketplace.
Schoolz - a suite of alternativetools helping teachers serve all students with relevant content and curriculum.
We Sparkle - An AI-powered social enterprise dedicated to helpingsmall businesses care for their customers + communities.
Yonder- Preparing kids for their first visit to the dentist using entertaining andeducational content.

Cohort3 companies were selected from an applicant pool of 90 startups led by adiverse group of entrepreneurs. More than 67 percent of Cohort 3 startups areled by a woman, 60 percent are led by a person of color, 33 percent are led bya woman of color and seven percent are led by a person who identifies asLGBTQ+.

“Foundersin Cohort 1 and 2 created 34 new jobs, 80% of whom receive full benefits. Withtwice as many startups, we can’t wait to see how this next cohort ofentrepreneurs will contribute to the economic vitality of our community,”Danielle added.

Fundedby the John S. and James L.Knight Foundation,Lunar Startups will provide an expanded range of resources to Cohort 3,including partnerships with the Global Accelerator Network (GAN), Techstars,and Hubspot. Highlights include:

Lunar Everywhere- A digital asset library and learning hub filled with trusted resources forbusiness growth.
Cash Stipend - Each company receives a$5,000 grant to spend on marketing, technology, and travel.
Lunar Experts in Residence- Founders Dionne Gumbs (GenEQTY), Julie Kucinski (Pitchwell), and Angela Gustafson(Gustola Granola) will provide coaching and thought partnership to cohortmembers in addition to workshop leadership and training in their respectivefields.
Lunar Expert Network- Participants have access to 25+ hours of free personal coaching, advising,and counseling from some of our community’s greatest leaders.

“This diversegroup of participating companies in cohort 3 continues to demonstrate thepalpable energy that is growing in downtown St. Paul’s entrepreneurialecosystem. Entrepreneurs who never thought of downtown as a place to start andgrow a viable business, are starting to reconsider, with an increase ofresources to support entrepreneurship,” said Jai Winston, Knight’s St. Pauldirector. “With the changing demographics of our landscape in Minnesota, St.Paul residents are seeing themselves reflected more in the opportunities todrive economic growth in this region.”

Winston addedthat Minnesota has always been at the forefront of innovation, represented bythe many Fortune 500 companies that have grown organically in the state.

“St. Paul has theopportunity to continue that trend,” Winston said, “with an intentional focuson ensuring that our changing community demographics are represented within ourentrepreneurial ecosystem and community as well.”

LunarStartups Cohort 3 programming runs from March 2020 through February 2021 and islocated in the Osborn370 building in downtown St. Paul.

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About Lunar Startups
Lunar Startups is a new model for incubating high growth companies led by founders who identify as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+. Launched at the Glen Nelson Center of American Public Media, Lunar Startups is breaking down barriers for innovators, disruptors, and change-makers to scale the next generation of industry pioneers. For more, visit lunarstartups.org.

Aboutthe John S. and James L. Knight FoundationKnight Foundation is anational foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in thearts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knightonce published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engagedcommunities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more,visit knightfoundation.org.