Community Action Network (CAN) is delighted to name Afro*Disiac Radio as its Community Heroes in the Spotlight for October 2022.

Afro*Disiac Radio provides diverse cultural enrichment to the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch communities and beyond via its passion for music.

October is Black History Month and Afro*Disiac Radio aims to create unique opportunities for people to come together, learn about and celebrate the diverse African Caribbean culture – seeing it come alive under the banner of black music genres such as Reggae, writing, poetry, lyrics and music production.

Afro*Disiac inspires, empowers and encourages communities through the love of good music, while providing opportunities to unlock potential through its DJ, Radio, Events and consumer relationship systems.

Raymond Nyenje, founder of Afro*Disiac Radio says: “Afro*Disiac is more than a radio station. It's a community, a family of music lovers and friends encouraging and fostering creativity while bridging gaps among peers. It's the only music station locally in BCP that plays and focuses on pure underground genres, meaning that we are not commercial and focus on unbroken artists and raw talent.

“Our vision is to bring joy, happiness, love and peace through good music to the communities we serve and beyond. We unlock potential that will make a difference in our community in all that we do, from our workshops with young people to our radio station and our Reggae Weekender events,” Raymond added.

Afro*Disiac Radio hosted its second Reggae Weekender event in Bournemouth in July, a unique occasion for residents and families to celebrate the diverse African-Caribbean culture in the local community and to experience Great Britain’s rich reggae music heritage.

Raymond said: “The Bournemouth Reggae Weekender aims to promote unity and togetherness, under the banner of reggae music, which has always been the voice of injustice, love, and humanity.”

Afro*Disiac Radio works with organisations such as Youth Empowerment Platform, a local community club for 11 to 18 year olds who are black, Asian or from minority ethnic backgrounds. The club seeks to empower young people to be equal citizens and promote activities that improve physical, social and emotional well-being.

Dorset Race Equality Council is another organisation that has worked with Afro*Disiac Radio. DREC aims to strengthen community relations in Dorset, challenge prejudice and disadvantage, and works to influence policy in a bid to combat racial discrimination and violence.

Hannah Rees, Engagement Lead for CAN, said: “Music and creativity are great ways to bring people together, to focus on what unites them rather than their differences. Afro*Disiac Radio provides such a service to the local community and beyond and we’re delighted for them to be our Community Heroes in the Spotlight for October.”

You can listen to Afro*Disiac Radio  here