On this special Pledge Drive edition of the Access Hour, we bring you a conversation from the March 24th Engaged Scholarship Symposium at the University of Louisville's Ekstrom Library. Forward Radio was honored to be there for a Roundtable entitled "For the People, by the People: Broadcasting Truth & Justice on Forward Radio 106.5fm." Participants included: 1. Justin Mog, Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives & Host of “Sustainability Now!” 2. Ruth Newman, Forward Radio Station Manager & Host of “Election Connection” 3. Robin Frederick, Masters of Sustainability student & Former Station Manager and Host of “Let’s Get Trashy” 4. Brian Barnes, Senior Lecturer, Philosophy & Co-host of “Critical Thinking for Everyone” 5. Vincent Gonzalez, Co-host of “Community Control Now” Scholars and activists struggle with the same question: How can I broadcast my message and engage new audiences? Enter community radio, one of the only remaining people-powered, community-controlled corners of the media landscape. Since April 2017, Forward Radio WFMP Louisville has been broadcasting and podcasting the voices of the people at 106.5fm and http://forwardradio.org. Radio has long been one of the most accessible and effective forms of storytelling and information sharing. The exploding popularity of podcasting demonstrates the enduring power of audio. Ever since Louisville’s social justice and sustainability focused community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP went on-air in April 2017, UofL faculty, staff, and students have been active collaborators with community members from across the region in generating thought-provoking, provocative, and engaging programming. This community service takes place both behind the microphones and behind the scenes as volunteers help sustain the station with community outreach at public events, volunteer recruitment, training, fundraising, administration, and engineering. Over the years, the station has also provided a megaphone for countless UofL faculty, staff, students, and community partners to share their knowledge, research, and passions with the broader community through guest appearances, one-time Access Hour programs, and podcasts. This round table, featuring UofL faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners who have all been involved in the station in various ways over the years, offered a rich discussion about the power of community radio to educate, inform, transform and unite our city. Listen in as we share our stories of how this work has made a difference in our own lives and scholarship, while creating positive change in our community. We invite the audience to get involved and take advantage of this vital community resource. The Access Hour airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Wednesday at 2pm and repeats Thursdays at 11am and Fridays at 1pm. Find us at http://forwardradio.org If you’ve got something you’d like to share on community radio through the Access Hour, whether it’s a recording you made or a show you’d like to do on a particular topic, community, artistic creation, or program that is under-represented in Louisville’s media landscape, just go to http://forwardradio.org, click on Participate and pitch us your idea. The Access Hour is your opportunity to take over the air waves to share your passion.