History
YR Media has been handing the mic to young people since 1993. Originally known as Youth Radio, we were formed by our founder Ellin O’Leary to uplift the voices of youth in underrepresented communities by giving them a platform to share their experiences, express themselves creatively and build critical skills in journalism, the arts and media.
Each year, we engage more than 3,000 young people via media arts education programming and internships. Graduates of our programs work in newsrooms, tech companies and record labels – helping to ensure that media, arts, and other creative industries reflect the rich diversity of our nation.
Timeline
Mission
YR Media equips youth, primarily BIPOC, with an immersive media arts education, top industry mentors, paid career-track employment and holistic support services. Young people leverage these offerings to become civically engaged citizens driving systemic change and disruptors that diversify the traditional media landscape by creating stories, art and music that matter.
Vision
To place power in the hands of young content creators, especially those from historically underrepresented groups, and ensure their diverse voices lead the way in shaping the future of our world.
