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‘I love that I can count on Lumpen Radio to play music no other station is playing!’

– Brenda Hernandez, Friend of Lumpen

‘We need outlets like Lumpen Radio to better understand music outside of the mainstream, open opportunities for people whose voices might not be heard, and to have a platform for sonic creatives to let loose on the air.’

– Drew Mitchell, 606 Records

‘Everytime I tune in there is always something cool happening, either fantastic music, special guests, or interesting conversations. It is a great company for any occasion.’

– Sofia Gabriel Del Callejo, Hyde Park Art Center

‘Lumpen Radio is a true Chicago gem, showcasing unique voices that don’t have access to a public media source – like youth, seniors, teachers, and Spanish speakers. While radio and other free local media journalism are being threatened, Lumpen Radio continues to bring news and stories that reflect the community it serves.’

– Vanessa Sanchez, Yollocalli Arts Reach

‘At this moment radio stations like Lumpen Radio meet all of the challenges of getting real information to the masses head on. It is critical that Lumpen Radio remains at the forefront of being a go-to source for news and commentary and amazing music from around the world.’

– Mario Smith, News From the Service Entrance

‘Lumpen Radio lends a much-needed critical ear to the City of Chicago and beyond, while also amplifying the many unique and powerful voices of communities who believe in justice, advocacy, and freedom of expression.’

– Alex E. Chavez, Friend of Lumpen

‘Pongan Caifanes’

– Ariandy Luna, Niña Chida

Humanities X – FM Waves to Activism

Lumpen Radio was part of the Humanities X fellowship at DePaul University. The class, FM Waves to Activism: Storytelling of Latinx Voices through Community Radio concluded on November 21st, 2025!

Beginning in September, for 10 weeks, Professor Dr. Yoalli Rodriguez Aguilera, Lumpen Radio Director Stephanie Manriquez, and Student Fellow Luz Perez wanted their class to explore the medium of radio and it’s deeply ingrained history with activism, particularly in Latinx communities.

Along the way, the students investigated the development of radio in the U.S., familiarized themselves with media literacy skills and how to communicate them effectively, and learned the ins and outs of radio production.

For the final project, challenged their class of 20 DePaul student journalists to pair up and create audio stories relating to examples of activism in Chicago, using the power of their voices to advocate for equitable media representation and access for Latino populations.

The students researched structural injustices affecting Latinx communities and critically analyzed their findings to create a basis for their radio project. In this research portion, the class visited the DePaul’s archives and art museum’s exhibit Tengo Lincoln Park en mi Corazón: Young Lords in Chicago.

They met twice a week in two-hour sessions, each time learning more about journalism, script writing for radio, recording audio, and audio editing.

At the end of the program, the class met at Co-Prosperity in Bridgeport, where the Lumpen Radio studio is located, to do a 2-hour live broadcast, where students presented their audios to an audience of family and friends!

Topics of the students’ audios ranged from identity, assimilation, gentrification, folklore, music, dance, and public spaces and more!

Listen to all the students’ audiopieces here:

And here’s the full Lumpen Special episode to listen to as well!

FM Waves to Activism: Latinx Empowerment Through Community Radio

Led by: Professor Yoalli Rodríguez Aguilera and Lumpen Radio Director Stephanie Manriquez

Student Fellow: Luz Perez

Created by the voices and minds of DePaul Students:

Rodrigo Soto Leyva, Joaquin Alvarez, Ross Cayley, Julie Cuello, Alanis Ruiz, Marjorie Ortega, Sophia Diaz, Matthew Kulis, Adam Bristensky, Sophia Gomez, Simon Rafet, Dylan Shea, Lucas Ramsey, Jovany Quintana Mejia, Humberto Plascencia, Adrian Haro, Joel Lopez, Emily Mejia, Camila Guadalupe, and Cedar Toavs.

Lumpen Radio Producers: August Abitang and Charly Garcia

HumanitiesX Leadership Team: Lisa Dush, Faculty Director, Amanda Lautermilch, Coordinator and Taylor Sellers-Varela, Student Assistant

Photos by: Colectivo Multipolar and Luz Perez

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Humanities X – FM Waves to Activism