Mayor Walsh Announces Morgan Jaffe as Station Manager for New Community Radio Station

BOSTON - Friday, August 12, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced Morgan Jaffe as the Station Manager for the new low-power FM (LPFM) radio station for Boston's WBCA 102.9, programmed and operated by the Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN). As station manager, Jaffe will be responsible for developing programming, generating show concepts, and overseeing the everyday operations of the station, which is designed to serve neighborhood communities throughout Boston.

"Morgan's hire is a vital next step in building Boston's community radio station," said Mayor Walsh. "The WBCA 102.9 radio station is a forum for neighborhoods to discuss and learn about issues and topics that are relevant to them, and I look forward to the station becoming a resource for all Bostonians."

Jaffe is a broadcasting and media literacy educator, and was formerly the Training & Operations Manager for KAOS 89.3 FM-Olympia, a community radio station at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Jaffe graduated from the Warner School of Education with her MS in Teaching & Curriculum with a focus in digital media and literacy.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the WBCA 102.9 team, and I look forward to implementing radio programs that will serve Boston's neighborhoods and communities," said Jaffe.

"We are looking forward to bringing this new media training opportunity to Bostonians," said Curtis Henderson, BNN General Manager. "Partnering with Boston youth groups is one of our top priorities, and I welcome Morgan as a partner in our community programs."

At WBCA 102.9, Jaffe will work with a support staff from BNN to assist with training, outreach and promotion of radio programs. In May, the City held public meetings to discuss how the new community radio station could best serve Boston neighborhoods. BNN is continuing to develop new opportunities for community participation for new programming and concepts for the show.

"We are enthusiastic about Boston Community Radio and encourage residents, organizations, and educational institutions to become involved in this exciting opportunity," said Sarah-Ann Shaw, Vice-President, BNN Board of Directors.

About Boston's WBCA 102.9 FM

Boston's WBCA 102.9 FM debuted on-air in June, and operates 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. daily. Broadcasts feature current BNN programming including  BNNLive studio programs and Boston Neighborhood Network News nightly at 6:00 p.m. The show also includes late evening programming as a resource for local artists, bands, musicians, poets and performers. BNN is developing new opportunities for community participation for new programming and concepts for the show.

Because multiple qualified community organizations applied for the one available LPFM license for the Boston market, a sharing agreement was created under FCC guidelines.  The signal is shared with Lasell College from10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily and Global Ministries from 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  

FCC LPFM Background  

In 2013, the FCC opened up applications for Low-Power FM (LPFM) Radio licenses to community and civic organizations. This was the first license application window in more than 10 years for local Low-Power FM Radio licenses. The City of Boston applied for the open FCC LPFM license to provide public safety programming to Boston residents via LPFM radio on a regular and frequent basis as a source of news and information and, also, in the event of any local or regional emergency.

Boston was granted a license-to-construct permit in 2015 for a new FCC Low Power FM (LPFM) radio station.