KMOJ Center for Communication and Development

KMOJ 89.9FM The People's Station

The current organizational vision of KMOJ is to develop Communities of Color with information and education through the vehicle of mass communication which includes: computer/internet, television, radio, and print journalism. It is the mission of KMOJ to: “Teach Communities of Color media skills that help reinstate the positive affirmative Black image.” The Center for Communication and Development’s philosophy is that through a process of education, collaboration, and grounding in culture and community, it can elevate the way of life of the people of its community. The organization understands the significance of its role as a media resource for the community and recognizes that this role must be nurtured and expanded to support and inform the community with access to knowledge and information. KMOJ’S OVERARCHING GOALS ARE:

• To educate and engage Communities of Color to reinstate the affirmative Black image
• To support and empower Communities of Color in life long learning of it’s traditional and modern cultures, spirituality, and history; and
• To challenge systems, policies, and practices which are anti ethical to the image of Communities of Color.

Current Programs and Activities: 
KMOJ maintains two key areas: Training in Broadcast Management and Administration & On-Air Programming through engagement, entertainment, and education.  KMOJ programs and activities serve as a “motivator” by drawing together community members who strive to provide a broadcast medium for a community that has been misrepresented in, misinformed by, and not provided access to, by mainstream media entities.  KMOJ works towards popularizing and preserving indigenous forms of cultural expression not typically broadcasted by commercial stations.  KMOJ values the role we play in training and programming; helping to develop the vision of Twin Cities urban communities by engaging local residents, professional, elected officials, and community activist, etc., in cross-cultural discussions that will engage in a truthful and candid, yet positive approach to discussing and examining Communities of Color from a journalistic perspective.

Central to the mission of KMOJ is to increase the representation of People of Color in Radio Broadcasting.  To fulfill this, KMOJ is a training site for the broadcast industry in the areas of: on-air announcing, public affairs programming, music programming, administration, marketing, production, and management through the KMOJ Internship Program.  Interns are recruited from the community to include individuals who are participating in an accredited broadcasting program such as Brown College, Dunwoody Institute, Northwestern College, etc; and individuals who have experience in broadcasting or natural skills and talents for radio.  Each intern’s skill level is assessed to determine their individualized training needs.

History:
KMOJ, 89.9 FM, is a community-oriented station located in Minneapolis, Minnesota airing a predominantly urban adult contemporary format. It began in 1976 as WMOJ, a very low-power AM station at 1200 kHz that reached only a few blocks from its studios and transmitter in the Sumner-Olson and Glenwood-Lyndale public housing developments. The station expanded its reach with a move to FM in September 1978, becoming KMOJ at 89.7 FM with 10 watts of power and its transmitter/antenna atop a highrise near its studios at 810 5th Avenue North. A frequency change to 89.9 in 1984 coincided with a power increase to 1,000 watts along with a studio move to a newly built facility across the street at 501 Bryant Avenue North. The transmitter remained on the highrise. Currently, KMOJ's studios are located on West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis, while its transmitter is located in Arden Hills.