Michelle Obama to Bestow Award on Oakland-Based Youth Radio Program

Bay City News Service—Representatives from an Oakland-based national youth program will receive a prestigious award from first Lady Michelle Obama on Monday.

Youth Radio, chosen from a pool of 350 organizations to receive the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, works with more than 400 students across the country each year.

What has the program done to deserve this award, which spokeswoman Stephanie Waties likened to a "lifetime achievement award?"

A short conversation with Shyra Gums, a 17-year-old student who has been a part of the program for over a year and will accept the award on the program's behalf makes it pretty clear.

"I've learned about radio but I've learned more about me," Gums said.

According to Gums, the program teaches students far more than just how to produce radio segments. Gums said that along with greater clarity about what she might want to do when she grows up — she currently wants to go to college and eventually be involved in something like social justice or philanthropy, the program has helped her define herself as a young woman.

"I've learned about healthy eating, healthy relationships, my community, how to take action with courage…" she said.

Gums said she would be accepting the award in honor of her grandfather, who passed away a few days ago and whose humanitarianism she looks up to.

Gums will accept the award along with and adult representative Nishat Kurwa at a White House ceremony at 11 a.m. PST on Monday. The event will be streamed love on the White House's website at www.whitehouse.gov/live.

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