KPFK

Join KPFK on May 9 in Mid-Wilshire to honor Palestinian history and resilience. Dr. Ramzy Baroud delivers the keynote — editor of Palestine Chronicle, author of Before the Flood, and one of the most widely read Palestinian journalists alive. Amer Zahr hosts. They’re joined by Chris Smalls, who was detained aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla; Nidal Rafeedie, VP of Teamsters Local 1932, who pushed his 14,000-member local to publicly call for ceasefire and a halt to U.S. military aid; Rolla Selbak, a Palestinian filmmaker dropped by her agency for speaking on Palestine; Miriam Arghandiwal, who organizes Hollywood workers for Palestine; and Fatin Judeh of Unmute Humanity. Medicine poet Dr. Jaiya John opens the program and Rev. Joel Yoshonis of Christians for a Free Palestine delivers the invocation. The SAWA Dance Ensemble performs dabke. After the program, the courtyard opens: Palestinian food catered by Falafel Inc, a modern souk from For Your Viewing Pleasure, a book signing with Dr. Baroud, art exhibits by Unmute Humanity and @palestinianyouthmovement & portraits by LA Photo Party. Your ticket directly funds KPFK 90.7FM, LA’s only anti-war, listener-supported radio station.  🔗 Register at kpfk.org/sumud #Sumud #FreePalestine #KPFK #LosAngeles #LaborSolidarity

Six days before the 78th remembrance of the Nakba, KPFK is bringing it all together in Los Angeles. Dr. Ramzy Baroud delivers the keynote. Amer Zahr hosts. Chris Smalls, fresh off the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Rolla Selbak, dropped by her agency for speaking on Palestine. Nidal Rafeedie, who led the first Teamsters ceasefire resolution in American labor. Miriam Arghandiwal organizing Hollywood workers for Palestine. Dr. Jaiya John opens the program. Rev. Joel Yoshonis delivers the invocation. Fatin Judeh of Unmute Humanity. SAWA Dance Ensemble performs dabke. Two live panels produced by Middle East in Focus. Then the courtyard opens: Palestinian food, a souk by For Your Viewing Pleasure, a book signing with Dr. Baroud, art exhibits, and portraits by LA Photo Party. May 9. Mid-Wilshire, LA. Doors at 3. Every ticket supports independent, listener-funded radio. Register — link in bio. #Sumud #FreePalestine #PalestinianCulture #LosAngeles #KPFK

Artist Spotlight: “Falso Camino”by Susannah R. Drissi Blurring the lines between poetry, literature, and music, Susannah R. Drissi brings an intimate and cinematic presence to her latest release, Falso camino. The two-track single serves as a sonic extension of her Substack series Gentlemen Prefer Silence: The Intimate Diary of All That’s Left Unsaid, a deeply reflective body of work rooted in longing, memory, restraint, and emotional revelation. A celebrated multidisciplinary artist, Drissi’s work spans novels, theater, poetry and songwriting, with over 155 original songs written in both English and Spanish. On Falso camino, she leans into alternative folk and art-pop textures while maintaining the lyrical depth of a seasoned writer. Produced by Angelique Cavillio, with guitar and bass by Furkan Barut, the release feels both delicate and haunting. Literally like reading pages torn from a diary at midnight. The title track unfolds like a confession whispered softly into the dark, weaving together vulnerability and tension through poetic lyricism and atmospheric soundscapes. The project also marks the beginning of a forthcoming full-length album, signaling an exciting new chapter in Drissi’s evolving musical universe. Beyond music, Drissi is an award-winning author whose novel Until We’re Fish earned the International Latino Book Award Gold Medal in Historical Fiction and the Nautilus Award in Fiction. She is also faculty in the UCLA English and Writing Programs. Falso camino is for the overthinkers, the romantics, the late-night journal writers, and anyone who has struggled to say the things that still linger heavy in the chest. @susannahdrissi Tune in Tonight on @kqbhla at 5pm! Check out the @kpfk archives to listen to last nights show! Tune in Monday at 5pm to listen again on @ollinkroj #SoulRebelRadio #ArtistSpotlight

Tune in TODAY at noon to The Signal only on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles with your host Mighty Dino and producer Arnella Barbara! We are officially in our pledge drive and we NEED YOU to keep free speech radio alive and thriving. Call now and pledge: 818-985-5735 option 2 That’s 818-985-KPFK option 2 For a $100 donation, receive the incredible The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light by Carlos Santana Or for a $120 donation, receive an amazing Shohei Ohtani Dodgers bobblehead collectible! Support independent radio. Support free speech. Support KPFK. Tune in. Stay tuned. And PLEASE pledge today at KPFK Donate #KPFK #TheSignal #FreeSpeechRadio #ShoheiOhtani #CarlosSantana

‼️New Podcast Alert ‼️ This week marks the 78th year of the Palestinian #Nakba. A story often told through the displacement of nearly 750,000 Palestinians; a story often told through the dispossession of Palestinian land and people. But, it is also a story told through the steadfast sumud of a people who for over 78 years have resisted by any and every means the condition of a settler colonial project– including journalism. This week, on Radio Intifada, we look at those who risk their lives to tell the stories of Palestine and Palestinians in the face of a settler project. What does it mean to be a journalist in Palestine when your life and livability are under constant threat? What does it mean to be a journalist from Gaza during an accelerated genocide? Guests: 🎙️Sharif Abdel Kouddous (@sharifkouddous @dropsitenews ) 🎙️Robert Greenwald (@bravenewfilms ) Listen here: /on-air/swana-region-radio/#episodes Link in bio Radio Intifada is people-powered media! Make a donation today @kpfk.org and support the independent media movement! Radio Intifada is made possible by KPFK listeners. Your support keeps independent, community-powered coverage of the SWANA region alive — no corporate sponsors, no gatekeepers. Make a donation @kpfk.org #fyp #radiointifada swanaregionradio media

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones made headlines last week after burning a Confederate flag inside the state legislature in protest over a newly approved congressional map that critics say dismantles Tennessee’s majority-Black district and could secure an all-Republican congressional delegation. Speaking with KPFA News, Jones, who was raised in the Bay Area, said that despite facing retaliation from Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, whom he referred to as the “grand wizard” of the legislature, the fight for voting rights is growing from California to the South. His comments come ahead of a National Day of Action taking place Saturday, May 16, in Selma and Montgomery, with satellite actions planned nationwide amid renewed battles over voting rights and redistricting across Southern states. Jones warned there is a “civil war being waged on the South with this new Confederacy intent on dismantling and destroying multiracial democracy.” KPFA’s Lauren Schmitt spoke with Rep. Jones about racial gerrymandering, the future of the Voting Rights Act, and what this moment signals nationally for democracy. Tune into the Pacifica Evening News tonight at 6 p.m.

“I want to set the tempo” - and she did! 🎷☀️ Nicknamed “The Empress of Blues,” Bessie Smith embodied the spirit of The Harlem Renaissance in a way only she could. American record producer John Hammond, who produced several records with Smith, once said: “Bessie always told a story when she sang. Gunther Schuller’s book on early jazz says nobody in the history of music had better diction or knew better how to put over the contents of a lyric. For Bessie the lyric was the prime thing. She was an unbelievable natural musician. She refused to record with a drummer. She said, ‘I don’t want them messing up my rhythm. I want to set the tempo.’” [Associated Press, 1970] Find your rhythm at The Sun Rises in Harlem this June 2, 3 & 7! Seats at the link in our bio. 📸: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Carl Van Vechten Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-54231]

Unmute Humanity was honored to feature the work of Ayman Manasra @ayman_manasra96 , Palestinian photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, through his powerful video: The Land Knows Its Children | الأرض تعرف أبناءها The video was part of SUMUD, an incredible event hosted by KPFK @kpfk in Los Angeles — a gathering of Palestinian culture, resistance, memory, and solidarity. Ayman has worked in the field since 2017, documenting Gaza through films and documentary stories. His work captures Gaza’s reality, resilience, and human stories through a lens rooted in the belief that the image is a testimony that does not die. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share his work, his testimony, and his continued documentation with the community.

What a truly beautiful and unforgettable day at KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles. Today, we had the absolute joy and honor of welcoming David Archuleta to the station for a very special interview on IMRU with host Michael Taylor Gray, while I had the pleasure of producing the show behind the scenes. David is truly a beautiful soul — kind, genuine, heartfelt, and radiant both inside and out. He joined us alongside his wonderful publicist Ken Phillips to discuss his powerful upcoming memoir Devout, an incredibly personal and inspiring journey of truth, growth, identity, faith, and self-discovery. And of course, it was made even more special sharing this moment with our incredible Music Director and Assistant General Manager Maggie LePique. The interview will air Monday night, May 18th from 7–8 PM Pacific exclusively on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles. Tune in across Southern California and streaming worldwide at KPFK.org. Moments like this remind me why community radio matters so deeply — real conversations, real people, real stories, and real connection. #DavidArchuleta #KPFK #IMRU #FreeSpeechRadio #DarkStarGurl

What’s up family? Today on @lawanddis - the United States Supreme Court has wage war and is winning against Black voting rights and constitutional Black representation. Our guest today is Clarence Lusane is a Professor, former Chairman of Howard University’s Department of Political Science, current Director of the International Affairs program, and independent expert to the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance. that’s at 8 AM PST on @kpfaradio and @kpfk … we finna #exposeagitatebuild

The universe may be absurd, but this event is seriously awesome! ✨ You won’t want to miss this unscripted, never to be seen again show starring William Shatner & @neildegrassetyson at the Saban Theatre, May 19 & 20. Tickets & info at the link in our bio! #losangeles #laevents #latheatre #neildegrassetyson #williamshatner

@brownnoisenyc are taking over the show for 2-hours as @himanshutee @djtimeless_music bring their brand of South Asian infused house and hip-hop. 2-4am PST / 4-6am CST / 5-7am EST streaming globally kpfk.org and 90.7 FM in LA / 93.7 FM San Diego Listen to past episodes on Soundcloud.com/officialfaderadio Mixcloud.com/dpainter Mixcloud.com/worldmassive