Former City Council Candidate Richard Raya Joins Youth Radio

From a Youth Radio press release:

OAKLAND – Youth Radio welcomes Richard Raya as its new Executive Director. Raya is the former Policy Director for California Forward, Finance Director for Alameda County Public Health Administration and 2012 candidate for the Oakland City Council.  With extensive experience in finance and personnel management, policy and community leadership, Richard Raya brings new expertise and vision for managing the exciting growth underway at Youth Radio, said Ellin O’Leary, President and Chief Content Officer.

“In addition to expertise in strategic management and communications, Richard brings a talent for amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities,” she said. Once a high school dropout, “he understands the difficulties that too many young people face in developing career paths and educational opportunities.”

Raya’s family struggled to overcome poverty and homelessness, at times receiving welfare to make ends meet. Thanks in part to California’s community college system, he was able to “get his life back on track,” return to school and earn entry to UC Berkeley, where he earned a B.A. in English and a Master’s in Public Policy. Today, Raya dedicates his career to helping others do the same.

“This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time,” Raya said. “With so much focus on career pathways for youth,  I am honored to join an organization that gives young people the skills and support they need to be successful – not only in journalism and digital media, but in college and the workplace. It’s one of the most important issues facing our community and our country, and Youth Radio has a long history of working with industry leaders to help kids gain employment.”

During his first year as executive director, Raya, a former Youth Radio board member, aims to help raise the organization’s public profile, calling attention to its workforce development program and using technology to create richer connections with audiences and stakeholders, including partners at NPR and The Huffington Post. Youth Radio was recently named the NPR’s official youth desk, a distinction that should lead to growth for the organization’s already-robust and award-winning news operation.

 “I was well into my twenties when I first encountered National Public Radio and I was blown away to hear a voice that sounded like mine,” Raya said. “By leveraging the reputation and outstanding content of Youth Radio, we can give that inspiration to a new generation of kids in Oakland, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and everywhere in between.”

Raya, a father of four and native of San Jose, now resides in North Oakland with his wife and sons.

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