WKDU Greets Local Nonprofits With 'Good Morning, Neighbors'

Rob Jackson, facility supervisor at the Wright Recreation Center; Lawrence Souder, director of Drexel Edits and host of "Good Morning, Neighbors;" and Nick Surgent, a Drexel Community Scholar and undergraduate at LeBow College of Business.

 “Good Morning, Neighbors,” WKDU’s new biweekly show, will feature interviews with nonprofit organizations from around Philadelphia.

 And if the title sounds a little “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” that’s intentional.

“The point of this show is to suggest that we’re all neighbors, Drexel and community groups,” said Lawrence Souder, PhD, associate teaching professor of communication in the College of Arts and Sciences and director of Drexel Edits. “I’m a little like ‘Mister Rogers’ myself.”

Souder is the host of the five-episode pilot season of “Good Morning, Neighbors,” which begins Monday, March 28, at 9 a.m.

The 20- to 30-minute interviews focus on local nonprofits’ mission, history and current successes and challenges. Guests include the representatives of the Wright Recreation Center, ACHIEVEability, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Urban Tree Connection, and Action for Early Learning.

“These interviews showcase a historically important facet of WKDU: community involvement and engagement,” said Esmail Hamidi, WKDU’s general manager and a junior at the College of Engineering. WKDU is one of very few student-run radio stations in the country and the only free-format non-commercial FM station in Philadelphia. “It’s a truly meaningful opportunity to have a role in getting these voices heard.”

“A lot of nonprofits don’t have the expertise or the resources to mount any kind of outreach. Or at least it would be minimal outreach,” Souder said. “They are often understaffed and not equipped to mount effective campaigns that help them fulfill their mission and reach their target audiences.” According to Souder, “Good Morning, Neighbors” will help these organizations’ voices and concerns be heard beyond their current sphere of influence.

They’ve already affected Hamidi, who was instrumental in the recording of the show.

“It’s been a wonderful experience for me in getting involved,” said Hamidi.  “Majoring in electrical engineering doesn’t always get me as involved in the community as I’d like to be. I’ve learned a lot from Professor Souder’s guests.”

“Good Morning, Neighbors” is a collaboration among the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, WKDU and Drexel Edits, a center for the support of nonprofit communications. In addition to their biweekly release, the interviews will also be archived as podcasts.

For more information about “Good Morning, Neighbors,” call Lawrence Souder, director, Drexel Edits, at 215.571.4634, or email drexeledits@drexel.edu