Serving The Whole State
Jan 12, 2023
No media entity is better positioned than Minnesota Public Radio to tell the stories of Minnesota. It’s one of the magical things about MPR. From our founding, we’ve dedicated our work to serving the public, to imagine and deliver a service that informs and inspires everyone and helps Minnesota connect to itself. It’s a big mandate, one that’s essential to our vision, service, and purpose.
It’s also one of the best parts of my job as president. I get to consider the complexities of our state—the great things we do together and the challenges before us—as we shape our service for you, the reason we exist.
Minnesota values
Minnesota is both geographically large and diverse. Like the great Mississippi River running through the heart of our state, we cover a lot of territory. What matters to people differs greatly. It’s hard work to make sure everyone feels seen and heard.
One unifying value Minnesotans share is a sense of responsibility. We actively gather information, facts, and ideas that help us make better decisions. It correlates with Minnesota’s historically high and nationally noted levels of engagement:
Our high voter participation rates.
Our exceptional levels of volunteerism.
Our passion for giving and giving back.
MPR’s robust member base.
Engagement is at the heart of MPR’s success. And it’s why I’m so dedicated to our new mission statement: Creating the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.
Working to fulfill our statewide mandate
In my past role with the Bush Foundation, I had the privilege to spend a lot of time listening to people statewide, to learn what they want and need to create more vibrant and equitable communities. It gave me perspective to uncover ways people can assist one another through connection, information, and resources. As we evolve, our whole MPR team will stretch ourselves to grasp and address these differences, strengths, and nuances.
I’m proud that we take our service to all corners of the state. We have MPR News reporters in six Greater Minnesota bureaus in Moorhead, Bemidji, Duluth, Collegeville, Rochester, and Worthington. In addition, our Twin Cities-based journalists travel statewide to report. We’ve added reporters and other staff members who bring new points of view to our reporting, including Mathew Holding Eagle III in Bemidji whose story illustrates the way new perspective can increase civic participation.
Recently Mathew and I traveled to the Red Lake Reservation to meet with leaders there and tour their new wellness and event venue, Giminjimendaamin Ezhichigeyang, that’s part of the Oshkiimaajitahdah community center in Redby. They’ve launched WRLN, a new radio station both on air and online. It features music, news, and community issues with an emphasis on building connections across northern Minnesota. During our visit we heard about their many successes and their aspirations of getting young people to hear the power of their own voices on air. We’re going to build a partnership to amply their youths’ voices.
Digital move
Driven by our passion to get our great content in front of more young people, we’re prioritizing our digital transition. They’re more likely to consume information on their phones, on streaming devices and on their social media accounts than on the radio. We’re making sure they can listen when they want and share as they will. We have to be our best selves on the digital platforms they use, whether that’s TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or the next thing that comes around the corner. We intend to evolve with them. We’re excited by our partnership with KMOJ funded, in part, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to launch Carbon Sound with a focus on Black music and local voices. The MPR Carbon Sound team is working to amplify the best of what our state offers in those genres. They help us sound more like Minnesota.
Members mean trust
At a time when so many people are actively working to spread misinformation and distrust, we’re working to build trust and connections. One of our member listeners said it best:
“I donate because truth is essential to democracy, and MPR gives me the truth and facts to make good decisions in my life as a citizen. Applause and thanks are due to every single person on staff who has brought the station into my life each day all year long, for over 40 years now. I can’t thank you enough.” — Jane, Roseville, MN
Thanks to you for dialing in!
Duchesne Drew
President, Minnesota Public Radio
About Duchesne Drew
Duchesne Drew is Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio. In this role, he leads the teams that produce MPR News, The Current, APM Reports and Marketplace. Additionally, he oversees YourClassical MPR as a part of Minnesota Public Radio.