Clemencia Rodríguez, professor in the Department of Media Studies and Production at Klein College of Media and Communication, was appointed to the board of directors of the Independence Public Media Foundation (IPMF). She took on the role with the foundation last summer and is on the board’s grants committee. IPMF’s endowment of over $131 million allows for Philadelphians to gain a better understanding of media and prioritizes the experiences and stories of Philadelphia’s residents and communities.

The lion’s share of Rodríguez’s work on the board is ensuring that the foundation’s goals are at the forefront of its efforts. These objectives include providing local media organizations with adequate resources for media creation, promoting critical digital media literacy across demographics, helping existing media organizations represent the city’s residents and neighborhoods with integrity and positioning Philadelphia as a hub for diverse and inclusive media. 

IPMF-sponsored organizations such as Scribe Video Center, a resource that teaches residents skills to produce media; and PhillyCAM, a community media center that operates Philadelphia’s public access television channel; give community members the agency to create media that captures their unique voices. IPMF also supports media outlets such as Philatinos Radio and Love Now Media, whose works aim to develop connections between community members, a practice not as commonplace in mainstream media.

“This foundation and its funds are going to those media in the community that are trying to represent the neighborhoods and the communities in a different light,” Rodríguez says.

Rodríguez, who is recognized as the scholar behind the concept of “citizens’ media,” has made herself an integral member of the board by using her expertise to determine how IPMF can best utilize its resources. René Smith, the chair of the IPMF board of directors, is impressed by what Rodríguez has already brought to the table in her short time on the board. 

“Clemencia is a great addition to the board,” Smith says. “She’s contributed quite highly in the six months she’s been serving with us. Our mission is connecting communities in the Philadelphia region through media. She’s such a deeply knowledgeable and active community media expert and that’s critical to us.”

IPMF aims to assist Philadelphia’s residents and local organizations to create media that reflects Philadelphians’ complex experiences and perspectives. Rodríguez hopes that the many people and organizations committed to the betterment of Philadelphia can come together to make community media a strong tradition in the city.