Check Out World Rhythm Nation WRFG Atlanta 89.3FM’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to World Rhythm Nation WRFG Atlanta 89.3FM.

Hi World Rhythm Nation, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
WRFG 89.3, Atlanta’s local non-profit progressive radio station has been broadcasting from Little 5 Points since 1973.
Our show, World Rhythm Nation has been airing for over 20 years. Our principal host and producer, Kathleen Cooley, known on air as Katia Kool, has been on the air at WRFG for 10 years.

She first heard air shifter Wanique Shabazz speaking about a 13-month calendar on his late-night show, MAPPTIME JAZZ, which aligned with her belief in the power of women and sparked her interest in the station.

Soon after she became a volunteer serving on the WRFG operations committee and fundraising, and hosting the “Carnival of Cultures” (a Winter holiday party). Shortly after that, she became an “air shifter”, (which is what we at WRFG, call a show host,) for the public affairs show The Press KIT, a public affairs news show covering current events.

Her experience and involvement in the musical and performance art scene in Atlanta, paired with her iconic voice, made her a perfect fit for the WRFG family. Katia produced Ecstatic Dance Atlanta for 12 years; has “guest starred” in several bands and performed regularly with performance art troupe Group Delirium and Daffodil.

After The Press KIT, Katia moved into the late-night hours, with her hybrid music/talk show, Museday MashUp Mixer, where she learned how much she enjoyed amplifying the female voice. Katia hosted her late-night show for 3 years, and was then, offered the opportunity to join fellow WRFG air shifter, Ahzjah The World Empress, on her show, World Rhythm Nation, which is part of the Global Drumbeat strip, Mondays 2-4 pm.

World Rhythm Nation’s theme is “Around The World in 120 minutes”. Which we 3 take to heart. “We 3” are the current hosts: Katia Kool, Akure, and Ámándá Bonilla.
We are the all-female team who host, produce and engineer World Rhythm Nation.

We play music from around the world, with an emphasis on female artists. Some of Katia’s favorite female artists right now are Sampha the Great, Kali Uchis, Ibeyi, Sudan Archives, Greentea Peng, and Tems. We often conduct live interviews and/or curate live performances on our show as well. Which you may realize, is quite rare to hear a live band on the FM airwaves (and streaming worldwide at our website and on our app).

Y’all Rock ATL came through recently to talk about music education for young artists. Katia believes in the power of multi-generational relating, and set out to find a couple of younger women interested in joining her on World Rhythm Nation.

First, she met Akure, who joined her on the air in May of 2024; followed more recently by Ámándá Bonilla. Both of these women had already graduated from WRFG’s Broadcast Class which emphasizes community access and involvement in hands-on experiences with radio. They were enthusiastic about getting on the air.

Akure is an Atlanta native hailing from St. Charles Avenue and the Virginia Highlands of the early to mid-1990s, and the Southwest Atlanta of the 2000s. WRFG is among her earliest memories—one of those spaces where radio wasn’t just something playing in the background, but something alive, moving through rooms and conversations.
She first stepped from listening and into the studio experience as a high school student on Youth Views, alongside Biko, TeTe, Lena, Taji, Lealah, and others. Honorable mention to Mama Njere, Sherise Nicole, Buddy Folks, Baba Bilal Sunni Ali of What Good Is a Song at the time, and the alternating youth show supported by Project South. All of these people, ideas, occurrences, and vibrations shaped an early love for radio as something communal—voices building together through conversation, thoughtfully shaped programming, and deeper musical cuts that stretched what is possible with radio.

One of her early life goals was to sit behind the table, learn the boards, and understand the mechanics of live radio the way so many made it look effortless. One of her first opportunities came through Karen Marie Mason, another community pillar. About thirteen years later, she returned to that goal and completed it.

For Akure, WRFG stands as both milestone and testimony—that we can do what we set our minds to, especially when resources, mentorship, and opportunity are present and encouraged. That availability should not be political, even though it often is.

Akure’s show practice follows the format set by Ahzjah and begins with the first thirty minutes dedicated to ambient soundscapes and atmospheric listening, often by women artists. Some of her current favorites include Nala Sinephro, Cécile McLorin Salvant, and Nneka.
She is currently drawn to Haitian music, especially its long-form structures, layered rhythms, synth textures, and drums that carry the West and Central African rhythmic influence, along with call-and-response energy that feels like both memory and arrival. Songs like “Awoyo” by Medjy and “Lanmou Doudou” sit within this listening space for her, deepening her attention to how structure, instrumentation, and voice work together. It’s a sound she is still in conversation with.
Her hope is to continue with radio for as long as it continues for those who came before her—thirty years and beyond.

The newest addition to the team is Ámándá Bonilla – like Amanda, but spicy. She is a vibrant, energetic movement artist, silly goofball, bridge builder and cultural connector who seeks to bring peace, light and levity to such a buzzing and chaotic world. Her enthusiasm is infectious and will most likely make you laugh within the first few minutes of a conversation. What she enjoys most about being a volunteer with WRFG is that it offers her a safe space to play, learn new skills and put into practice what it means to genuinely connect with others dedicated to collective liberation, mutual aid and a more vibrant world. A trained gymnast and dancer from a young age, she is no stranger to live performing, but finds a unique thrill to on-air production where her personality shines through her voice and musical selections, not only her physicality. Daughter of Colombian and Mexican parents, she fiercely brings her Latinidad to the airwaves by playing classic salsas, cumbias, ancestral and indigenous beats. Her love of Christ brings themes of surrender, forgiveness and ultimately loving one another to her episodes.

World Rhythm Nation airs weekly Mondays from 2-4pm

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Since we are volunteers coordinating our time in person together outside of work, home, family, etc.scheduling can be a challenge. This also includes coordinating with artists and activists for our show.
WRFG is a 501(c)3 non-profit and primarily listener supported so fundraising is a challenge we face daily; however, we have created more offerings and collaborations to engage at the community level year-round. COVID required a lot of quick and fast change, but it did result in improving our studio (both aesthetically and technically) and our use of audio technology. WRFG has always been the David to corporate broadcast’s Goliath, shining light on topics generally avoided by the mainstream. We are Atlanta’s heritage station for progressive information.
We all 3 would agree, the biggest challenge is running the board, and speaking into the mic for the very first time

Ways to Donate
Online via Zeffy – 100% of your gift goes directly to WRFG. You can choose one-time or recurring donations, and Zeffy covers all fees. You can also add a message or list programs you support Zeffy.

CashApp – Send to $WRFG893 for instant, easy giving Radio Free Georgia+1.

PayPal – Donate securely to office@wrfg.org for one-time or recurring contributions Radio Free Georgia+1.

Credit Card – Use WRFG’s secure online form for one-time or monthly donations Radio Free Georgia.

Mail a Check – Send to:
WRFG, 1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307-1940

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What we do is present works of music from artists around the world. We often include a little bio about the artists, or at least let folx know where they are from. We invite local artists and activists into the studio for live performances and interviews, letting our listening audience know what’s happening locally, both artistically, and politically. We have international artists phone in as well. We’ve had the privilege of interviewing Speech, Arrested Development; BEMI; and Light Matter, to name a few.

WRFG is an education station, and we take seriously our duty to inform our listeners. World Rhythm Nation is an all female, inter generational, multi cultural team, which sets us apart from many of the other shows on WRFG, and on radio in general.

I’d say we are most proud of being women who are willing to learn new things; take risks; take up space and eff around with technology. All 3 of us are out & about in the Atlanta Community; and we each have different backgrounds, bringing our own unique perspective to our collective.
Another thing we’re deeply proud of is our ability and willingness to coordinate & cooperate. We bring forward a rich depth of understanding and dedication into our interpersonal relationships. We really practice assuming the best of one another, not the worst. It’s a very simple, practical way to work together, and something we could use more of in the world at large.

We, the Women of World Rhythm Nation, are actively and collectively being the change we’d like to see in the world. Co-creating; using our voices and the extremely powerful platform of 89.3 WRFG Community Radio; learning new things; approaching things with genuine curiosity and interest, and continuing to reach, stretch and grow. This is what we are most proud of; and what sets us apart from many. A 3 woman team, sharing the power and responsibility of producing and engineering our weekly radio show, World Rhythm Nation, on Atlanta’s Community Radio Station, for Progressive Information and Hand Picked Quality Music, 89.3 FM, WRFG Atlanta. www.wrfg.org.
Email: worldrhythmnation@wrfg.org

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Wanique Shabazz
FCC-Chief Operator & Station Operations Director-Facilities Coordinator
Email Wanique: wanique@wrfg.org

Christopher Hollis
Finance Director
Email Christopher: manager@wrfg.org

Laverne Perry
Development and Marketing Director
Email Laverne: laverne@wrfg.org

Pricing:

• Please donate!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wrfg.org/show/wrn/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrnwrfg/