Monday February 24 at 7pm ET on public radio stations in New York City, Boston and Miami

(February 19, 2025 - New York, NY) – Public radio leaders WNYC, GBH and WLRN will partner on a one-night-only call-in special, “HAITI ON THE LINE,” produced in collaboration with The World. The live broadcast will take place on Monday February 24 at 7pm ET. To better understand the story, public radio stations in the three cities with the largest Haitian populations in America – GBH in Boston, WNYC in New York City, and WLRN in Miami – are teaming up to open the phones and hear from impacted communities. Brian Lehrer (WNYC) hosts, alongside Saraya Wintersmith (GBH) and Tim Padgett (WLRN).

Haiti has been in political crisis for years. Last year more than 5,000 people in Haiti were killed in gang-related violence. The Associated Press reports that almost two million people are on the verge of starvation, with more than one million children living in gang-controlled areas. Many of these children face constant pressure to join or aid gangs. And for Haitians in America with feet in two worlds, the reality in both countries is uncertain.

This call-in special will highlight the personal experiences of listeners in these communities, sharing their stories about their relationship to Haiti and the current crisis and exploring the new realities migrants and refugees face here in America. Community members are also welcome to submit these stories in advance by leaving a voice message here . These messages may be played on the air during the program.

The hosts will be joined by special guests and experts on the situation, including:

  • Widlore Merancourt, journalist and editor-in-chief of Haitian news outlet AyiboPost
  • Jacqueline Charles, reporter for the Miami Herald who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her work covering the 2010 Haiti earthquake
  • Dr. Geralde Gabeau, Executive Director of the Immigrant Family Services Institute 
  • Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-FL), co-chair of the House Haiti Caucus and the only Haitian-American elected to Congress

“Haiti On The Line” will air on WNYC 93.9FM, AM 820 and www.wnyc.org in New York; GBH 89.7FM and gbhnews.org in Boston, as well as GBH’s sister stations WCAI 90.1FM in Cape Cod and NEPM 88.5FM in western Massachusetts; and WLRN 91.3FM and wlrn.org in Miami. The special will also be available to stream on-demand at wnyc.org and on Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

ABOUT WNYC
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region, including The Brian Lehrer Show and All of It with Alison Stewart. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most beloved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, The New Yorker Radio Hour, and Notes from America with Kai Wright. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.

ABOUT GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH produces digital and broadcast programming that engages, illuminates and inspires, through drama and science, history, arts, culture and journalism. It is the creator of such signature programs as MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, Arthur and Molly of Denali and a catalog of streaming series, podcasts and on-demand video. GBH’s television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44, GBH Kids and national services WORLD and Create. With studios and a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR; CRB Classical 99.5; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. Dedicated to making media accessible to and inclusive of our diverse culture, GBH is a pioneer in delivering media to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired. GBH creates curriculum-based digital content for educators nationwide with PBS LearningMedia and has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.

ABOUT WLRN
WLRN Public Media is committed to being the most trusted source of information and quality entertainment in South Florida’s diverse community. WLRN is best known for its award-winning public radio and television programs. As a multi-channel media enterprise, WLRN consists of radio, television, digital and educational platforms, offering a variety of high-quality programming and advanced learning services to make WLRN a valuable community asset. As the oldest FM station in South Florida and a National Public Radio (NPR) member station, WLRN is the choice among South Floridians who keep abreast of world events through NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. WLRN also offers a range of thoughtful and engaging programs including the best of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and the BBC, as well as locally-produced programs like The Florida Roundup, The South Florida Roundup and Folk and Acoustic Music with Michael Stock. WLRN-TV presents the best in broadcast television with nationally recognized PBS series to complement award-winning locally produced specials. Prime time programming features an array of cultural, arts, science, drama and documentary specials to meet the diverse curiosity and interests of our local community. In addition, WLRN-TV produces original award-winning documentaries which capture the stories of South Florida, and are distributed to PBS stations nationwide.

Media Contact:
Emily Balk
Emily_Balk@wgbh.org
314 550 2448