Legacy 90.1FM is the only African and Caribbean community radio station in Manchester.

In March 2021 we became a CIC (Community Interest Company). A CIC is a not-for-profit, social enterprise. The not-for-profit status helps us to raise funds in different ways such as grants, donations and sponsorship. It also clarifies our position as a community radio station that exists to serve the African and Caribbean community.

As a CIC we report to the CIC regulator every year. We tell them what we have done during the year for African and Caribbean communities in Manchester. We also tell them how we are benefitting the music industry.

People gathering at an event to reflect Legacy 90.1FM's listeners

What's Important At Legacy

Legacy 90.1FM is committed to:

  • Supporting and promoting the music industry, especially music of Black origin
  • Giving a platform to grassroots musicians, DJs and broadcasters.
  • Training the next generation.
  • Making Black voices heard on important issues.

The station is a communication point for local services. We give them space on our schedule so they can promote how they are helping people.

The backbone of our station is our volunteers. They who work tirelessly as DJs, board members and project volunteers.

Without their support we would not exist.

We also rely on our advertisers and donors. Our other supporters include sponsors and most importantly, you, our listeners and we would not be here without any of you.

Thank you to each and every one of you for being there for us!

Team Legacy x

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What Is Legacy?

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Our history

Legacy 90.1 FM was set up in 2008. It is an integral part of the African and Caribbean communities of Hulme, Moss Side and the surrounding areas.

We aim to inform, engage, entertain and serve.

As the longest established Black community radio station in Manchester, we understand what people want from a community radio station.

The station is managed by 65 volunteers and over 14 years we have built solid partnerships. We have delivered events and projects that fit with our ethos of bringing people together. Our community programmes give a voice to people who are often unheard.

Our board members are involved in Manchester Together CIC, a social enterprise that delivers the annual Manchester Caribbean Carnival.

People say that our station is a calming force that they depend on in times of raw emotion and distress.

Over the years, the communities of Moss Side and Hulme have experienced more than their fair share of tragedy, including a high death rate during two years of Covid. They tell us that listening to music from the Caribbean islands offers them comfort when life is hard.

The issues

African and Caribbean communities have experienced health inequality and economic disadvantage since the Windrush years of the 1950's. Things have changed to some extent, but not enough.

We respond to these issues by:

  • Supporting community projects
  • Hosting talk shows where people can share their views.

Our latest project was Our Blood, Our Lives, a series of shows talking about the issues around blood donation in African and Caribbean communities.

We have strong partnerships with:

  • Health
  • Justice
  • Mental health
  • Business
  • Public sector

These partnerships give our listeners information from experts. They also help us to add Black voices to national debates.

Legacy 90.1FM has hosted many events over the years that promote local talent. We aim to support young people to showcase their talents.

Our mission is to train young people in media and bridge the intergenerational gap within the media industry.

We continually strive to represent the African and Caribbean community and to lobby for inclusion and equality.

We do this by:

  • Broadcasting ground breaking and emotional content.
  • Making discussion and debate a fixed feature in our broadcasting. We do this through community forums, phone in’s and live discussions.
  • Continually encouraging audience participation. We use live text and email within the studio to take listeners' messages and opinions.
  • Rotating guests who share expert advice on health and mental well-being, relationships, business, money and lots more. These shows are especially tailored to what our listeners want to know about.
  • Being involved in campaigns. Over the past five years these have included campaigns for:
    • Prostate cancer
    • Black mental health
    • Black Lives Matters
    • Manchester job opportunities
    • Blood drives with the NHS
    • Sickle cell awareness
    • Food bank drives

What Does Legacy Do?

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  • Key talk shows with elderly people, women and young people.
  • In 2019 we hosted a project about Windrush. We looked at the impact, contributions and legacies that the Caribbean community has had on the cultural landscape of Hulme and Moss Side. Legacy 90.1FM played a crucial role in sharing information with the Windrush generation. We gave government updates and signposting. We also hosted a media forum so local community groups could give people information.
  • Our Directors are key members of Manchester Carnival Together CIC, the team that hosts the annual Manchester Caribbean Carnival.
  • Our training and volunteer programmes for young people help the next generation of radio broadcasters, presenters, and producers get their start in the industry.