Radio has been a lifelong love of mine, and when I found the world of stations that set to the left of the dial, it was a lifeline for me. Through stations like WBRU and WZBC in New England, or KMUN and KBOO here in Oregon, I had my taste in music expanded and enriched by getting to hear sounds that were never going to broadcast on mainstream frequencies. As well, I connected with the political and social landscape of the world like never before. It was electrifying. 

That's exactly the sensation that I got when I tuned into XRAY when it went on the air in 2014. The passion of everyone on the air was palpable, no matter if they were spinning their favorite 45 or unpacking an important issue facing our local government. All the DJs and producers and folks behind the scenes work their tails off because they believe in this city and want to be either a soundtrack or a gut check for anyone living within our broadcast range. Stepping behind the boards myself about five years ago, to present my first episode of Double Bummer, helped connect me to this community and I couldn't be more thrilled to be in their ranks every day. 

If you feel the same as I do about what XRAY has brought to Portland and what it can continue to bring to the city, become a member or renew your support for the station right now. We quite literally can not do this without your financial contributions. Give what you can and help keep XRAY thriving and growing through this year and beyond. 

The mass consolidation of media has a profound effect on what we see and hear on a local level. It leads to a decline in support for local artists and local venues, promotion of community advocacy, in the ability to engage civically with our government and those who seek to be elected to it. 

XRAY changes that. And this year has made that more important than ever before. 

This year, while the world has been in turmoil, we've been busy

• giving back to local artists who've lost gigs due to COVID-19

• lifting up hundreds of nonprofits and Black-owned businesses with free spots on air

• educating our community about the privileges they have and how to support their neighbors with our Annual Juneteenth & International Women's Day Teach-Ins

• launching Portland's only daily local news podcast to keep our community in-the-know while apart

• supporting the ongoing civic advocacy, education, and functioning of City Club of Portland when no other radio station would

• interviewing 100+ local candidates (more than any other media outlet) to ensure democracy doesn't die in the distance. 

• and bringing joy and connectedness to the people of Portland.

We are proud to be independent and driven by the purpose of amplifying the best and most distinctive of Portland. Our resources are directed toward supporting the people who support us, and that includes you. By becoming a supporting member of XRAY, you are adding to the resources that help amplify Portland, and Portland’s own artists, venues, activists, innovators, educators, and the community members who make this city run. As a listener named John recently said, "I'm really grateful to live in a city with XRAY." And we're really grateful to live in a city with you.