Around the Community

08/01/24

Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project Comes to the Inland Empire (CLYLP)

The CLYLP Inland Empire Institute was established to inspire and motivate students from the Inland Empire to become future leaders through public service. Open to 50 students from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, the three-day institute offered an impactful program designed to develop leadership potential and increase knowledge of the region’s cultural and political landscape. It also afforded students an opportunity to connect with political and community leaders. Former CLYLP Champion in the Senate Executive Director Connie Leyva gave the keynote speech at this inaugural event.

07/01/24

KVCR & CREATIVE CORPS RAISING AWARENESS 

KVCR engaged Local Film Producer Sofia Figueroa to create a documentary about warehousing in the Inland Empire. The finished documentary, The Warehouse Empire, was screened in June followed by a panel discussion at the Civil Rights Institute in Riverside. 

06/01/24

ANNUAL PBS CONFERENCE 

A full delegation represented KVCR at this event. The team returned brimming with new ideas for development, fundraising, and member events, as well as a renewed excitement to expand KVCR’s footprint in the Inland Empire. 

05/01/24

KINDERGARTEN READINESS 

KVCR and Learn With Me’s Eddie participated in the 14th Annual Kindergarten Readiness and Kids Expo sponsored by San Bernardino County and the Fontana Library. KVCR and Eddie were on hand to talk about Learn With Me and hand out activity books. As usual, Eddie was a huge hit with the over 100 children who attended! 

04/01/24

KVCR CONNECTING TODAY WITH SBCCD STUDENTS OF TOMORROW

In partnership with our campuses, KVCR continues to spark the imagination and plant seeds in the minds of our communities’ younger students. Visits were made to Frisbee Middle School, where Executive Director Connie Leyva talked about her time in the Senate and KVCR. Kids from Spring Charter School visited KVCR and SBVC to learn about careers in Media. And finally, KVCR staff members accompanied Learn with Me’s beloved Eddie to Urbita Elementary’s Career Day. KVCR is thrilled to play a small role in fostering a future at SBCCD full of bright minds ready to flourish on our campuses tomorrow. 

03/01/24

WOMEN FOR ARROWHEAD UNITED WAY, WOMEN UNITED 

Introduced by Chancellor Diana Rodriguez, Executive Director Connie Leyva spoke at this group’s annual luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month. The theme was Woman Making Waves. 

KVCR CONTINUES TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS

 KVCR recently signed a contract with Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) to produce five 30- minute segments regarding healthcare. The topics will include Women’s Health, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and two more yet to be determined. Look for these exciting episodes in late Fall.

02/01/24

CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT GRANT 

KVCR is the recipient of a California Endowment Grant that will enable the station to hire ten students to create short videos to Advance Health and Equity through Youth Voices. Students from local high schools will be given a chance to participate and receive a stipend for their time. Student Intern Briana Navarro will head up this project with the students.

01/01/24

KVCR LAUNCHES OPERATION ELF 

More than 100 families had their picture taken with Santa and each child received a toy, book or blanket. Thanks to all who donated to make this possible. 

KVCR CONTINUIES TO HOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS 

Thanks to the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and a group of local attorneys for touring the station. Each group was given the opportunity to do a “Shout out” both on the radio and TV! Thank you also to Councilmember Armando Carmona from Jurupa Valley, and his constituents, for engaging conversation and an enthusiastic tour! 

Around SBCCD

08/01/24

KVCR and SBCCD Team up for Grant Writing Workshop 

The “Grant Success Workshop” welcomed staff, faculty, and managers, who learned to transform big ideas for student success into funded projects. Participants gained essential grant application skills and best practices for securing funding. Following the workshop, attendees enjoyed a behind-thescenes tour of KVCR.

07/01/24

AND THE EMMY GOES TO… 

 …FNX’s Indian Rodeo: Voices of the INFR. You can link to this 30-minute documentary here.) Produced at KVCR, FNX – First Nations Experience – is the only Native American and World Indigenous focused broadcast network in the United States. We are honored to have been awarded the prestigious Pacific Southwest Chapter Emmy in the category of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program. Also nominated for this award was another KVCR production, Native Hope Champions: Riding for the Missing. (Click here.)

KVCR RECEIVES $1.5 MILLION FROM THE SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS 

FNX founding partner San Manuel Band of Mission Indian’s generous grant will be used in part to create even more great local content like the shows above. 

06/01/24

KVCR is stepping up its game with even more external school visits and station tours. In the last month we connected with 745 students in the community. With a goal of planting seeds for the future, we are making sure that students of all ages know about the Institute of Media Arts, Valley College’s Film, Television, and Media programs, and the intern and job possibilities at KVCR.

 During our visits to area schools we showcase local content created by KVCR, such as Learn With Me where Eddie makes an appearance and is loved by all. We also discuss careers in TV and film. Recent events include:

• Riverside Unified School District Level Up 2024 Spring Showcase,
• Ontario Montclair School District 2024 Annual Parent Leadership Conference, and
• Rodriguez Prep Academy Career Day.

Highly interactive tours of KVCR were conducted recently for Citrus/Birch High School, Mira Loma Middle School, Bloomington High School Engineering, and Richardson Prep High School. Students wrote scripts for both radio and television, practiced being on the radio and did shout outs on TV. 

05/01/24

“TEEN” WEEKS OF FILM 

With a grant from the California Endowment, and led by Valley College alumni Brianna Navarro, ten local high-school students will learn to create a short documentary film in a 10-week program. Students will receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program and their shorts films will be screened at the KVCR studio.

04/01/24

WOLVERINE CON 2024

The KVCR team was thrilled to attend SBVC’s Institute of Media Arts 13th Annual Wolverine Con International Film Festival in March. This event was comprised of an assortment of panels and workshops related to film, a Filmmakers Mixer for networking, business and university recruitment opportunities, a red-carpet event, and a full-length feature film premier by SBVC Alumni and former KVCR Student Intern turned Professional Expert for KVCR’s Inland Edition, Briana Navarro! 

03/01/24

GRANITE MOUNTAIN CHARTER SCHOOL VISITS KVCR 

Coming all the way from Lucerne Valley, about 25 students and an equal number of parents toured KVCR. Students were able to do “Shout Outs” on both TV and Radio and received a swag bag of KVCR goodies. A big thanks to staff for welcoming these folks and allowing them to learn about our station and possible careers in TV and Media.

WOMEN IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT 

In conjunction with the California Young Democrats Labor Caucus, KVCR hosted a screening of the documentary 9to5: The Story of a Movement. This piece is about the reallife fight to change the American workplace that inspired Dolly Parton’s hit song and the 1980 movie. Executive Director Connie Leyva provided remarks about her own experiences as a woman in the labor movement for 30 years. INLAND FUTURES FOUNDATION & KVCR COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD 

These bodies continue to meet in 2024 and work on ideas to make KVCR stronger and even more relevant to our community. Both bring ideas on how to increase membership and revenue. The dedication of those who serve is much appreciated.

02/01/24

KVCR CONTINUES SCHOOL TOURS INTO THE NEW YEAR 

Rialto Middle School students came to KVCR to learn about jobs in radio and TV. SBVC Professor Lucas Cuny joined the tour and talked to the students about the programs offered at Valley College. The youth were very engaged. A big thank you to staff for making the tour a success for the students. 

KVCR ATTENDS CAREER DAY AT GRACIANO GOMEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

What do you do at KVCR? This question and many others were asked by the San Bernardino students. Thank you to Rick Dulock, Manny Saucedo, and Vanessa Wiarco for attending and making the presentations fun! 

KVCR HOSTS COMMUNITY STUDIES PROGRAM STUDENTS 

Cal State San Bernardino students made a visit to learn more about careers in radio and television. It’s always great to have students from one of our sister colleges join us here at KVCR. Most recently one of our own student interns graduated from Valley College and is pursuing a bachelor’s at CSUSB, while still interning at KVCR as a graphic designer. 

01/01/24

KVCR RE-ESTABLISHES MONTHLY MEETINGS WITH CHC AND VALLEY COLLEGE 

With a new Community Engagement Manager in place, the team has reinstated monthly meetings with both colleges to optimize opportunities for students in developing skills that give them an edge in the media arena. On the radar is the desire to not only increase the number of intern spots at Valley College, but also to open up internships at Crafton Hills College. 

Key Insights

Latest Announcements

08/01/24

It’s a Wrap! 

Inland Edition, Season II has wrapped up. In this season, we focused on 20 non-profits doing life-changing work in the Inland Empire. Everyone is looking forward to Season III with host Joe Richardson, Esquire, where he will be focusing on…. Tune in to find out!

06/01/24

YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: FINDING YOUR VOICE, OWNING YOUR POWER! 

In conjunction with the Institute of Media Arts (IMA) and Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes, KVCR hosted this event. More than 150 young women and speakers gathered to share learned experiences and gain valuable insight form each other. Board Chair Dr. Stephanie Houston provided the opening, San Manuel Chairwomen Lynn Valbuena discussed Local Women in Leadership, and our keynote was provided by ABC7 Inland Reporter Leticia Juarez. It was an extraordinary day which will resonate into the future. 

05/01/24

KVCR HOSTS KIDS CAMP 

Together with PBS Kids and PNC Bank, KVCR hosted this event for more than 150 local kids and their families with 15 activity stations, including book reading, coloring activities, face painting, shout outs on the TV, make your own sundae, and so much more. Eddie from Learn with Me, joined by Molly from Denali and Daniel Tiger, were on hand for pictures. Each family received a raffle ticket and prizes were given away throughout the event. A great time was had by all! 

04/01/24

National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s RES 2024 

Each year the Reservation Economic Summit takes place in Las Vegas with thousands of tribal members and non-tribal members attending to learn from each other regarding economic independence. This year KVCR FNX submitted a one-minute sizzle reel about FNX that was shown throughout the conference to gain support for this one-of-a-kind Native Channel.

03/01/24

KVCR NIGHT WITH THE ONTARIO REIGN

KVCR has launched a pilot program with the Ontario Reign Hockey Team! As part of the program, the Reign highlighted KVCR at one of their games and our very own Eddie from Learn With Me dropped the honorary puck. Members of Team KVCR took a ride on the Zamboni/Fanboni before the game started, and KVCR had a table at the event where we signed up new members and handed out swag.

02/01/24

INLAND EDITION SEASON II BEGINS FILMING 

Season I of Inland Edition, which focused on elected officials at all levels of government, wrapped up in December. Season II will focus on Nonprofits in the Inland Empire that are improving the quality of life for our residents. We plan to feature 20 nonprofits and filming is underway! Look out for the new show in late spring! 

01/01/24

CELEBRATING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE 

KVCR was thrilled to host a Native American heritage celebration highlighting Season 4 of Native Shorts which began airing on November 30. The event also featured Native America Season 2. With well over one hundred people in attendance, the event was a huge success.