LOCAL SHERO
Mrs Sandra Green Written By //Kabbo Ferdinand
Introducing Ujima Radio’s First Female Station Manager and Freelance BBC Radio journalist, coordinator and broadcaster Mrs Sandra Green. 8th March is universally celebrated as International Women’s Day. I believe we should celebrate our women everyday while many others don’t, judging by the damning statistics reported in the latest Women’s Aid report on domestic abuse; The Domestic Abuse Report 2022: The Annual Audit, Bristol: Women’s Aid published in March 2022. I thus feel it’s fitting to celebrate one of our local Sheros, whose voice and influence has had a dynamic effect on staff and listeners over the airwaves these past couple of months. Introduce yourself and describe your role at Ujima Radio.
Greetings! My name is Sandra Green. I’ve worked in radio since 2008, starting out as a co-host on Omega Radio. A black-owned community pirate station in London. Let’s just say the broadcasting bug bit and I started self-producing and presenting my own shows. Then Bristol called and a new home was found for my show on Ujima’s Saturday Breakfast Show each week. Combining my passion for social justice, community activism and interest in the history of black music, art and poetry. Having so much more to offer with my experience in middle management in large media organisations I felt equipped with the knowledge to further Ujima’s cause. I became the Station Manager that required me oversee the day-to-day running of affairs and to produce and curate over 50 programmes weekly whilst managing over 60 volunteer presenters and producers. Sales and advertising, content creation, training, audio recording, editing and scheduling are some of my daily responsibilities. I also freelance presenter and producer at BBC Radio Bristol and Somerset. . What is your motivation and what drew you to radio broadcasting?
I’m a people’s person. Always amazed and inspired by the incredible women and men in
However, their stories largely go untold. I use my platforms to celebrate their achievements. It is vital that the Black community has independent media resources that deal with issues specific to us. I’m motivated above all else to play my role in realising the importance of this to the African and Caribbean communities. Radio is pivotal in shaping our civil rights awareness. Movements like #Black Lives Matter and #MeToo have had a profound impact in their push for positive social change. Radio is a male dominated industry. Many women, myself included have had to navigate through aggression, misogyny, gaslighting, sexist and bullying behaviour. I hope my presence in my current position acts as a positive motivator to other Black women entering the industry. It is only through positive encouragement, support and reinforcement that we will build a representative and inclusive industry that values and respects all people. How is Ujima Radio's planning to maintain and deepen its connection to its audience?
We will continue working closely with our external partners like Kuumba, Malcom X, Rose Green, St Paul's Carnival and others. We will continue to foster a feeling of collective identity, pride, and purpose by offering strong factual news and addressing themes like racial discrimination, social, economic and educational marginalisation. Bringing our communities closer together will help us combat social ills like gun, knife and other crimes. What is your dream as station manager for Ujima? We want to continue producing engaging and factual based features, and encourage more young Black talent on their career journeys through training, mentoring and connecting them to opportunities. How do people get involved? Contact us at ujimaoffice@gmail.com or find me on Twitter @Nyah2000 or Instagram @Sandra_Gr33n, listen to previous shows on Mixcloud. Also coming soon is my new podcast Carry-gobring-come.
our community who plays an integral role in our continued cultural development. 13
