Support citizen journalism!
Inspired by the art, activism and advocacy of the past year, we’ve been working with an amazing group of folks to set up an independent media center in Seattle’s Capitol Hill district. We provide equipment, gear, classes, and volunteer support to help empower every person to make podcasts, write articles, record videos - and tell the stories they need to change the world for how they want to see.
The equipment and gear is here, now we are looking for 50 people to join us on Patreon to help make sure it lasts.
For the cost of a cup of coffee a week, help us reach 50 Patreon Members by the end of February
Update 1/27/2021: We are more than halfway there! Thank you so much for the huge outpouring of support. It means the world.
About the Cascadia Underground
Since its inception in the 1980's, the Cascadia movement has inspired thousands to reimagine the world around them, encourage citizens of all walks to dispute our dependence on “The world as it is known” and the status quo and inspire all citizens of Cascadia to take action.
It is a direct result of the last 15 years of community building and social activism that we are ready for the next step: The creation of an open media and broadcast center, that will serve as an incubator for a new era of citizen journalists, a protected space that amplifies the voices of our community by doing more than handing over the mic - we want them to own and never have to give it back.
The Cascadia Underground started with the purpose combatting the rise of white supremacy after the 2016 US elections, and growing out of the Join the CAWS (Cascadians Against White Supremacy) summit in Seattle. In 2020, the idea of a independent media center designed to empower citizen journalism and to create a platform to empower voices was reignited by serving as a safe space during Capitol Hill Occupied Protests, only a couple of blocks away. We were a space where Black Collective voices met, and many others who needed sleep, to recharge or just sit for a bit.
The space became complete when we combined forces with the better left podcast studio, who needed a new location after they needed a safer space for immunocompromised organizers.
Our goal is to
Empower - by providing classes that teach how to podcast / edit, as well a space for meetings, computers, software, distribution, and hooking people up with sound editors etc. To make the process as simple as possible.
Center Voices - by actively seeking and promoting BIPOC and LGBTQ2A+ perspectives. The point to hand the mic over.
With COVID, we combined forced with what used to be the better left podcast, which needed a safer space for their immuno compromised folks so it was a great fit.
See more on the Cascadia Underground Website at: https://cascadiaunderground.org
As a Patron, your support provides:
Podcasting recording studio with headphones, mics and soundboard for 4 guests and editing bay.
6 media computers, able to stream & do audio, web and graphic editing, with two machines able to do heavier video loads.
A host of volunteer staff to help provide editing and recording advise and support so that everyone can focus on making the thing.
Space for classes. Digital for now, shifting to become physical in a post-COVID environment.
Rent for a 1500’ sq ft media center in the heart of Capitol Hill in Seattle, just two blocks away from Cal Anderson.
Web hosting, editing and streaming software, high speed connection to make what we do possible.
We’re here, the gear is here, we just need your support to help make this a permanent space. We’re already more than 60% of the way to our goal of 50 people. Will you join us?
