News Summary
DeBraun Thomas, the morning host of WUKY, Lexington’s NPR affiliate, announces his resignation effective July 2025. After a notable 13-year tenure, Thomas has been a key figure in local public broadcasting and plans to focus on music and social justice initiatives. His departure comes amid concerns over public media funding as WUKY faces significant budget cuts. To celebrate his contributions, Thomas is organizing a concert featuring local artists.
Lexington, KY – DeBraun Thomas, a notable voice in local public broadcasting, will resign as the morning host at WUKY, the area’s NPR affiliate, effective at the end of July 2025. Thomas announced his departure during a broadcast on July 21, marking the conclusion of a significant 13-year tenure that began with an internship at the station.
Since 2019, Thomas has been recognized as the host of “Rock & Roots,” WUKY’s flagship program. In addition to his main role, he has previously hosted “Local Music Mondays” and created “The Crunkadelic Funk Show” while he was a student at the University of Kentucky’s student-run station, WRFL, starting in 2009. His contributions have made him a visible figure within the community, as he was the first-ever Black on-air radio personality at WUKY.
The timing of Thomas’s departure coincides with an alarming climate for public media funding. Recently, Congress voted to cut over a billion dollars from NPR and PBS, which has raised significant concerns about the future of public broadcasting. WUKY is projected to lose approximately $145,000, which equates to about 13% of its funding. This financial trajectory has compelled discussions about the station’s sustainability and community impact.
During his time at WUKY, Thomas emphasized the importance of public media in fostering representation and connectivity within the community. He has frequently spoken about the role of storytelling as a means of inspiring people to recognize their own importance and potential impact.
Upon leaving WUKY, Thomas plans to reconnect with his musical roots and engage further in social justice initiatives. He has previously been involved with the “Take Back Cheapside” movement, which successfully led to the removal of Confederate statues in Lexington. He aims to channel his experiences and challenges into new music that reflects his journey over the years.
In celebration of his departure and to showcase the talent he has celebrated throughout his career, Thomas is organizing a concert on August 23. The event will showcase various artists, including Tee Dee Young and Joslyn & The Sweet Compression, and will be held at Gatton Park On The Town Branch, located at 795 Manchester St., starting at 12 p.m.
In addition to the concert, Thomas has been involved in projects aimed at preserving history and promoting awareness, including cataloging records of enslaved individuals and advocating for narrative-based historical markers at sites of racial violence. Despite facing personal hurdles related to safety and mental health stemming from his activism, Thomas remains committed to his mission of catalyzing change at the community level and inspiring others to take initiative.
As Thomas prepares for this new chapter in his life, he reflects on the indelible mark he has left at WUKY and highlights the enduring importance of community-driven media. His departure signifies not only a personal transition but also a pivotal moment for public broadcasting in Lexington amidst shifting funding landscapes.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: DeBraun Thomas Resignation
- Smiley Pete: Creative Types – DeBraun Thomas
- Wikipedia: Public Broadcasting
- Google Search: Public Broadcasting Funding Issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NPR
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