I am Unity: Alex Shen

Unity at the Initiative: a multi-site visual exhibition and at-home experience centering art by and for Queer and Trans Artists of Color. I am:_____ is a blog series to get to know our partners.

Alex Shen is the founder and station manager of Lower Grand Radio. Based in Oakland, Shen started the online station stream from a garage studio in 2014. Since then, LGR has expanded its programming to have its own studio with an expansive and diverse range of programming. Working with touring artists, local musicians, and the Oakland Public Library, he has helped develop different shows to fill up the weekly schedule. While the quality of programming is important to him, he views the act of using the radio stream as a platform to showcase one’s musical interests and tastes, regardless of experience or knowledge, as the most rewarding aspect. Shen’s goals for LGR are to hold more workshops, involve more youth, and expand programming beyond the Bay Area. Lower Grand Radio and Unity both started at the same time collaborating on different projects and events finding a similar drive and urge to create safe spaces and community-friendly environments. Apart from running the radio station and designing their merchandise and mixtapes, Shen is also a touring musician. In the last decade he has released four full length albums with his bands and toured within the USA and abroad.

"I stream live radio sets online at lowergrandradio.com "

Finish this sentence with a word or two: I am a:_______

Broadcast enthusiast

What's the most half-baked hobby you took on since the COVID-19 shutdown?

core excersizes :p

What are you binge-watching?

it's Fall and Winter, so X-files!!!

What's the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

tik tok :(

If you were to create a signature skate move, what would the move involve/look like?

it would be a no-comply but kickflip it on the way down and human does a 360

Anything you'd like to share with the world?

Treat yourselves, then treat someone else!