[New York News\Black Radio]
Jennifer Jones Austin: “It’s an honor and a privilege you to join Open Line. I’m thrilled to bring my voice as a Black woman to our Sunday morning dialogue about key issues affecting us as individuals and as a community. Humbly walking in the footsteps of the legendary Bob Slade and Mtume, and drawing inspiration from my co-hosts, Fatiyn Muhammad and Bob Pickett, I hope to contribute greatly to what is already a trusted information source for our community.”
Photo: Jack Bevacqua
Jennifer Jones Austin will become the first female co-host of WBLS’ “Open Line” radio show.
Jennifer Jones Austin, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FPWA and one of the nation’s leading poverty advocates, has been named the first female Co-Host of the popular Sunday morning radio show “Open Line” on WBLS 107.5 FM, a go-to place for discussions of issues relevant to New York City’s diverse communities.
Jennifer, an attorney, who served as a senior official in two mayoral administrations and as the Deputy Bureau Chief for Civil Rights in the Office of the New York State Attorney General, brings decades of experience and expertise in faith-based and social justice advocacy to the show.
“It’s an honor and a privilege you to join Open Line. I’m thrilled to bring my voice as a Black woman to our Sunday morning dialogue about key issues affecting us as individuals and as a community,” said Jennifer Jones Austin. “Humbly walking in the footsteps of the legendary Bob Slade and Mtume, and drawing inspiration from my co-hosts, Fatiyn Muhammad and Bob Pickett, I hope to contribute greatly to what is already a trusted information source for our community.”
“Open Line” is a longtime staple in New York’s Black community, bringing together leading dignitaries, celebrities, elected officials and others to discuss politics, faith, culture, and more. Open LINE’s coverage of social issues such as the Eric Garner case and the Botham Jean Trial has led the show to win prestigious honors, including THE NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) Crystal Award. Recent show guests have included the attorney representing the family of Botham Jean; Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League; Eddie Glaude, Chairman of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University; New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy; and anti-violence activist Erica Ford, CEO of LIFE Camp, Inc.
Jennifer, who has participated in the show since March 2019, joins co-hosts Judge Bob Pickett and Fatiyn Muhammed every Sunday at 8 AM in the New York market. Judge Pickett, who has served as counsel for many government officials, is a practicing civil rights attorney. Mr. Muhammed is the Host & Executive Producer of “Open Line” and the Executive Producer for two Nationally Syndicated Radio Shows for Rev. Al. Sharpton.
Jennifer Jones Austin serves as the CEO and Executive Director of FPWA, an anti-poverty and advocacy agency servicing more than 1.5 million people in New York City. She serves as a weekly Co-Host of Keepin it Real with Al Sharpton, a nationally syndicated radio program. She is also the author of Consider it Pure Joy, a memoir on her fight with leukemia, her road to recovery and the quest to find deeper meaning from her experience. A proud Brooklynite, Jennifer holds a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law along with degrees from NYU’s School of Public Service and Rutgers University.
About FPWA
FPWA is an anti-poverty policy and advocacy organization committed to advancing economic opportunity and upward mobility for low-income New Yorkers. Having a prominent New York presence for nearly 100 years, FPWA has long served New York City’s social service sector, providing grants to help individuals and families meet their basic needs, and advocating for fair public policies on behalf of people in need and the agencies that serve them. FPWA’s member network of 170 human-service and faith-based organizations reach more than 1.5 million people in New York’s communities each year. Join us at fpwa.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
