Broadcasters Foundation of America shares stories about the Foundation and news from
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Month in Review - April 2024
Brian's Story
Brian has been a broadcaster for his entire life. In October 2020, he was unfortunately diagnosed with congestive heart failure that left him unable to work. When he reached out to the Broadcasters Foundation of America, Brian was facing eviction and in need of support.
"I began working in the broadcast industry during my teenage years. Like so many of us, I was bit by the radio bug as a child. I was fortunate to be introduced to my life’s passion at such an early age.
Over more than 30 years, I’ve met men, women, children in the community facing an awesome challenge due to a serious illness or the loss of their home in a natural disaster. Radio has always been first in line to tell such a story and bring relief to those trying to manage a desperate situation.
Broadcasters are trained to tell these stories, but the unexpected twist was finding myself hospitalized and diagnosed with heart failure at fifty-years-old. Unable to work and sicker than I’ve ever been made me afraid. A colleague - my friend - told me about Broadcasters Foundation and I reached out.
As radio was always first in line for the community, broadcasters were also first in line to help me. Our colleagues who support Broadcasters Foundation probably aren’t thinking about themselves or their families falling into a situation like this, but they’re dedicated to the dignity of those who find ourselves here. Since childhood I’ve only wanted to be a broadcaster and I’ve never been so proud to be one. Thank you."
2024 BFOA Leadership Breakfast
Celebrating our Broadcast Leaders!
Click above to watch highlights from this year's event!
Congratulations to all of the 2024 BFOA Leadership Award honorees, Don Bouloukos, Frank Comerford, Traug Keller, Kathy Kirby, Mike McVay, and John Rouse, and the Lowry Mays Excellence in Broadcasting Award honoree, Erica Farber! This year's class has proven their dedication to the broadcasting industry, their local communities, and the mission of the BFOA.
Left to right: Mike McVay, President, McVay Media Consulting; Kathleen Kirby, Partner, Wiley; Don Bouloukos, CBS and ABC Radio Executive; Erica Farber, President & CEO, RAB; Frank Comerford, Chief Revenue Officer, President, Commercial Operations NBCU Local; John Rouse, Executive Vice President, ABC Affiliate Relations, Disney Platform Distribution; and Traug Keller, President, American Media (photo credit: Exceed Photography).
Broadcasters on the Green!
Thank you to our sponsors and all the attendees for making the event a success! We love kicking off the NABShow with a round of golf in support of our mission to help our radio and television colleagues... and we can't do it without you. Please help us spread the word about what we do. Learn more at www.broadcastersfoundation.org.
We hope to see you on September 9th at the Celebrity Golf Tournament at Siwanoy Country Club! We're excited to be back at this beautiful course! Learn more at www.broadcastersfoundation.org/events.
Mike McVay in Radio Ink
BFOA Leadership Award honoree Mike McVay shared his giving philosophy with Radio Ink Magazine ahead of the 2024 Leadership Breakfast. His dedication empowers the BFOA to help Radio & TV professionals in need. As Mike says, “Don’t give ‘til it hurts. Give ‘til it feels good.” Congratulations Mike and thank you for sharing your passion for our mission!
April is Stu Olds Month
This month’s grant payment holds special meaning as it is drawn from the Stu Olds Memorial Fund, in honor of Stu Olds, a true champion and leader of our Industry. A former CEO of Katz Media Group, Stu was an active longtime member and Vice Chair of the BFOA. Thank you to everyone at Katz Media Group for their contributions to this fund and continued support of our mission!
AWM presents the Gracie Awards
Join our friends at AWM for the 49th Annual Gracies Gala on May 21 in Los Angeles and theGracies Luncheon on June 18 in New York. For a full list of winners and more information about both events, visit the Gracies Page. Honorees include Michelle Obama, Gayle King, Maria Shriver, the TODAY Show, & more!
John Stossel on Proud Stutter
Broadcast Journalist John Stossel joins Proud Stutter Executive Director, Host, and Producer, Maya Chupkov on an episode of her podcast. As a woman who stutters, Maya Chupkov is working to shift societal norms around stuttering and lift up the voices of those with speech diversities. Listen here.
The BFOA provides more than just a hand-up to our broadcasting colleagues. We are a source of inspiration to our grant recipients, supporters and peers. Thank you for reading and sharing and be sure to follow @BroadcastersFDN!
Share your stories with us! If you have a narrative to share about your station, employees, or community, please feel free to send it to us at info@thebfoa.org.
