The Bay Agenda: The Future of Public Media

Join KALW Public Media for The Bay Agenda: The Future of Public Media, a live broadcast town hall conversation about the local and national implications of a devastating federal funding cut to public broadcasting.

Earlier this summer, Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in already-approved public media funding, a move that will cost KALW over $400,000 annually and put core programs like Crosscurrents, Your Call, Uncuffed, and Audio Academy at risk.

This moment is more than a budget crisis. It’s a signal. The defunding of local public media is part of a broader national trend; a targeted attempt to weaken independent journalism, shrink civic discourse, and undercut the public’s access to trusted, non-commercial information.

KALW Executive Director James Kass will lead a conversation on what this means for the Bay Area media ecosystem and the future of public media as a whole. He'll be joined by Davia Nelson of the Kitchen Sisters, Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment, and KQED's Editor in Chief Ethan Toven-Lindsey.

Please join us for this crucial town hall conversation about the future of journalism, public service, and civic engagement.

RSVP required.

This event will also be broadcast live on 91.7FM and streamed online on our app and at KALW.org.

James Kass is an award-winning writer, educator, producer and media maker. He is also the Founding Executive Director of Youth Speaks, a position he held for 21 years (1996-2017), and is widely credited with helping to launch a global youth spoken word movement, working with tens of thousands of young people from across the country - and helping launch close to 100 programs nationwide. James is an advocate for arts, youth, equity, access, and inclusion.

He joined KALW as Executive Director in August 2023.

Davia Nelson is an award-winning radio producer, writer, and storyteller best known as one half of The Kitchen Sisters, the celebrated production duo behind groundbreaking public radio series and podcasts such as Hidden Kitchens, The Sonic Memorial Project, and The Keepers. Her work, created in collaboration with co-producer Nikki Silva, blends rich oral histories, immersive sound design, and deep archival research to capture overlooked narratives and amplify diverse voices. The Kitchen Sisters’ projects have been honored with Peabody Awards, duPont-Columbia Awards, and inclusion in the Library of Congress’s permanent collection. In addition to her radio work, Nelson is a sought-after speaker, teacher, and champion of community-based storytelling, inspiring new generations of audio makers to document the world’s hidden histories.

Ethan Toven-Lindsey is Editor in Chief at KQED, where he leads the editorial vision and strategy that keeps the Bay Area informed, entertained, and occasionally surprised by what public media can accomplish when it sets its mind to it. In this role, Ethan oversees KQED’s newsroom operations, podcast team, and radio programming, as well as our editorial standards, ensuring that the stories that matter most to Northern California audiences get told with the depth, nuance, and integrity they deserve.

Glynn Washington is the creator, host, and executive producer of Snap Judgment, the award-winning public radio show and podcast known for its cinematic storytelling, propulsive soundscapes, and emotionally charged narratives. Since launching in 2010, Washington has built Snap Judgment into a nationally syndicated program heard on hundreds of stations and downloaded millions of times each month, expanding the boundaries of nonfiction audio with his signature mix of personal storytelling and cultural commentary.

Your RSVP includes admission to Open Decks: Community Art in Motion, a collaborative art exhibition and cultural program featuring original art by 100 Bay Area artists on skateboard decks. Open Decks is on view from July 24 - September 19, 2025.

There is a $10 - $20 sliding scale suggested donation for this event. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please become a KALW member today and receive your first drink on us at all 220 Montgomery events.

📍 220 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 2 blocks from BART/MUNI

🚪 Reception doors open at 6:00

🗣️ Program begins at 7:00

🆓 The event is free with an RSVP — and you are welcome to donate what you want

Please note:

• The event space is just to the left of the main entrance to the Mills Building at 220 Montgomery Street
• We recommend taking BART/MUNI, exiting at Montgomery, and walking two blocks north
• Ride-shares can drop off and pick up directly in front of the venue
• If you drive, there are several garages within two blocks of the event location; free street parking is available across from the venue at 7:00 pm

Host or Publisher KALW Public Media