XRAY.FM

Mission

XRAY puts a microphone to the best and most distinctive of Portland. We strive to create a culturally relevant center for ideas, music, and creativity in service of a more open media and a more just community.

Bottom Line for Portland

XRAY provides a purpose-driven alternative to traditional media formats in a place where three large corporations own the majority of the media available for us to consume. We don’t use an algorithm to tell you what you already like–your smartphone can do that just fine. We bring together a community of curators who can introduce you to stuff worth loving. Including great stuff produced right in your hometown. 

We believe that radio is yours. Help power the growth of independent media in Portland–because our city deserves media as fiercely independent as its people.

Quote

“In the age of corporations very nearly becoming monopolies in the music industry—from streaming to venues to ticket sellers—a place that can platform small, independent, and local musicians is not something we can take for granted.” - Theo Craig, Founding DJ, former XRAY Music Director, & local fixture in independent music

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

XRAY.FM is committed to fostering, cultivating, preserving, and amplifying a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that reflects and highlights the community we represent. We recognize that marginalized identities are underrepresented in the radio, broadcast, and audio/podcast industries; we strive to correct this inequity by prioritizing participation from BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ artists in our programs with a goal of amplifying the voices that corporate consolidation of media has shut out. 

We’ve put our values into action through teach-ins highlighting women & femmes + Black voices, developing publicly accessible media education and access programs like our audio gear and training library, providing fundamental resources to launch The Numberz KNUM 96.7 (The Black Music Experience for Black Portland), and consistently handing the microphone to marginalized groups through PSAs, programs, news, music, and discussion.

Incentives

All donors who give $60+ will become a member of XRAY for one year! Members receive periodic perks such as member-exclusive merchandise items, discounts on annual merchandise,  access to exclusive giveaways, and discounts on XRAY events. Members also receive an exclusive XRAY member skull window cling to show their support of independent media around town!

All donors at any level also receive a vinyl black and white XRAY blade sticker (maybe you've seen them on some bumpers around town?). 

Partner(s)

160+ Give!Guide Nonprofits 

Since 2017, XRAY has had an annual tradition of giving away airtime en-masse to participating Give!Guide nonprofits in the form of PSAs produced free-of-charge and aired at minimum once per hour throughout November and December. Over 800 PSAs have been produced and aired since the project's inception, with 163 participants in 2024.

Among those nonprofits, we're proud to be working more closely with the following organizations for the 2024 Give!Guide campaign: 

📰Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change. XRAY is also proud to have a weekly radio show & podcast with Street Roots reporters for several years.

📰Friends of Willamette Week are readers who support independent local journalism, with WW's mission to make Portland a better place in which to live, work, and play. 

🪡Sincere Studio is a nonprofit community sewing studio and classroom whose mission is to provide sewing skills education with a focus on sewing as a tool of social change and empowerment. We're proud to be supporting them through their first year in Give!Guide! 

🎶Alberta Abbey aims to nurture the creative, visual and performing arts in N/NE Portland by amplifying opportunities for Black and underrepresented communities through affordable education, gallery, studio, and performance spaces, and showcasing events for local groups of all ages.