Honoring and Recognizing Tezarah Wilkins, Melissa Tsuei, and Tanikka Charrae for their selection to the Google Podcasts Creator Program.

WHEREAS, Podcasts are broadcasts of digital audio or video that can be downloaded and enjoyed on the internet or web-based platforms. They often come in the form of a series and have become more widespread in the first decade of the new millennium. Google has launched the Google Podcaster Creator Program, designed to increase the diversity of voices in the industry and lower barriers to podcasting. Selected teams will receive essential funding and participate in an intensive training program; and

WHEREAS, One up and coming podcast entitled “Who Taught You How to Drive?!” was created by a group of three women who were selected for the Google Podcast Creator Program. The Philadelphia-based production is a humorous interview podcast about how people get around and their habits on the road as told by drivers, riders, bikers, and walkers. Creator, Tezarah Wilkins is an entrepreneur, arts administrator, photographer, and multimedia producer. Melissa Tsuei (Co-Producer) has worked in early child development for 12 years and is interested in transforming our education system to serve marginalized communities and promote true inclusion. Tanikka Charrae (Co-Producer) is a singer/songwriter/vocal producer, clothing designer, and professional background vocalist; and

WHEREAS, The Google Podcast Creator Program is highly selective and only admits the most creative and engaged producers who represent a range of backgrounds, views, voices, and styles. The program seeks applicants who feel marginalized in the podcasting landscape in some way or intend on reaching a group that feels marginalized by race, gender, religion, economic background, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, or some other reason; and

WHEREAS, Tezarah and her team of producers are independent and have complete editorial control over their work. The podcast is creative, authentic, and honest. The Philadelphians were chosen as winners for the Creator Program because they exemplify a fresh and compelling podcast idea and want to entertain a specific group or audience. Google foresees that the Philadelphia-based podcast should generate revenue and gain a large following; and

WHEREAS,

The Google Podcasts Creator Program focuses on three pillars: empowering and training underrepresented voices, educating a global community with free tools, and showcasing the participants’ work as a model for others, and had a range of applicants from all over the world. About one third of applicants came from outside of the United States. Tezarah Wilkins, Melissa Tsuei, and Tanikka Charrae have shown exemplary enthusiasm and dedication towards the creation their podcast; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,That we hereby honor and recognize Tezarah Wilkins, Melissa Tsuei, and Tanikka Charrae for their selection to the Google Podcasts Creator Program.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Tezarah Wilkins, Melissa Tsuei, and Tanikka Charrae as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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