NPR Ups Sangweni to VP/P and New Content Development

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Yolanda Sangweni

NPR elevates Yolanda Sangweni to Vice President of Programming and New Content Development. Sangweni came to NPR in 2020 from Luminary, where she was the Director of Programming and Editorial. Since joining NPR, Sangweni has overseen the launch of "The Limits with Jay Williams," the evolution of "It's Been a Minute" and the creation of a new radio show for NPR's history podcast "Throughline," which just won a Peabody Award.

As Vice President, Sangweni will continue to lead and build out a portfolio of culture-focused programming and podcasts. She will also oversee NPR's content development process to surface great ideas and innovative programming that supports NPR's mission.

"Yolanda is a caring, dynamic content leader who has already moved NPR forward in so many ways. She has overseen award-winning work, built high-functioning teams, and crafted initiatives that will be transformational in our efforts to make NPR relevant to new audiences traditionally under-served by public media. I'm thrilled that she will be positioned to have even greater impact in her new role." said Senior VP for Programming and Audience Development Anya Grundmann.

"I am so excited to take on this new role," added Sangweni. "It's such an incredible opportunity to bring more stories and voices to NPR. I hope to expand NPR's programming in a way that is rich in nuance, culturally-resonant, with a high standard of excellence. And I get to do it with the best of the best-the content development team and journalists behind shows like Throughline, Code Switch and It's Been a Minute, who are truly world-class."

Sangweni also spent nine years working for Essence, where she began as an entertainment editor and eventually became Digital Content Director leading the company's multi-platform digital content strategy. She is also the founder of African Women Create, a collective for African women in the creative arts.