Yolanda Sangweni is promoted to VP of Programming and New Content Development at NPR. Since joining the public broadcast group in 2020, Sangweni has overseen the launch of “The Limits with Jay Williams,” the evolution of “It’s Been a Minute,” the creation of a new radio show for NPR’s history podcast “Throughline,” which just won a Peabody Award. She also sponsored the NPR Oye initiative, which is advancing NPR’s service to Hispanic audiences and engagement with Latinx creators.
“Yolanda is a caring, dynamic content leader who has already moved NPR forward in so many ways. She has overseen award-winning work, built high-functioning teams, and crafted initiatives that will be transformational in our efforts to make NPR relevant to new audiences traditionally under-served by public media,” Senior VP for Programming and Audience Development Anya Grundmann said in a release. “I’m thrilled that she will be positioned to have even greater impact in her new role.”
In her new role, Sangweni will continue to lead and build out a growing portfolio of culture-focused programming and podcasts. She will also oversee NPR’s content development process to surface great ideas and innovative programming that supports NPR’s mission.
“I am so excited to take on this new role,” Sangweni added. “It's such an incredible opportunity to bring more stories and voices to NPR. I hope to expand NPR's programming in a way that is rich in nuance, culturally resonant, with a high standard of excellence. And I get to do it with the best of the best—the content development team and journalists behind shows like Throughline, Code Switch, and It's Been a Minute, who are truly world-class.”
Sangweni came to NPR from Luminary, where she was Director of Programming and Editorial. She also spent nine years working for Essence, where she began as an entertainment editor and eventually became Digital Content Director. She is also the founder of African Women Create, a collective for African women in the creative arts.
Comments