Janae Pierre, Author at WBHM 90.3

Janae Pierre

Host/Reporter

Janae Pierre is the station’s general assignment reporter and local host of NPR’s All Things Considered.

A native of New Orleans, Pierre has worked and volunteered with several different media organizations, notably NPR affiliate WWNO, the New Orleans Tribune and WBOK 1230AM, where she began as a college intern. In her spare time, Pierre enjoys listening to old vinyl records (she loves that scratchy sound). Some of her favorite artists include Al Green, Gil Scott Heron and Dinah Washington.

In early 2019, Pierre was recognized as the “Best Large Market Radio Reporter” by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. She was also listed on Radio Ink's 2017 “Future African American Leaders in Radio,” and she's the recipient of the 2015 Sophie Aramburo Servant/Leader Award.

Some Million Miles: A Search for Redemption
08-23-2019

This short documentary film takes a hard look at a rural community atop Sand Mountain in northeast Alabama ravaged by drugs and poverty. Jared Ragland co-directed the film with Adam Forrester. It screens this weekend at the Sidewalk Film Festival.

Annexit: The Push to Deannex Parts of Anniston into Oxford
08-20-2019

Anniston City Councilwoman Millie Harris says some residents want out of the city because of poor schools, high crime rates, and declining property values.

Prison Re-Entry Program to Expand with $6 Million Grant
07-31-2019

When prisoners are released, they often face lots of hurdles. They can’t find work or housing or health care. Often, they end up back in prison. The Dannon Project recently received a large federal grant that will allow the nonprofit to help more former inmates get on their feet.

Birmingham Sees Conflict Resolution as Key to Breaking Cycle of Violence
07-22-2019

Violent crime remains high in Birmingham, particularly among young black men. Now, the city is partnering with several nonprofits to teach skills they hope will prevent conflicts from escalating.

The Risky Business of Music Festivals
07-10-2019

Later this month, Freedom Fest makes its debut in downtown Birmingham. But music festivals around here seem to come and go. We sent WBHM’s Janae Pierre to find out why it’s so hard to keep a music festival going here in the Magic City.

Merrill Announces Run for Alabama U.S. Senate Seat
06-25-2019

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill is adding his name to the long list of Republicans who hope to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones. Merrill says Alabama needs a “proven conservative” in the Senate who will support President Donald Trump on issues like immigration and judicial appointments.

Juneteenth: A Celebration of the End of Slavery
06-18-2019

June 19th 1865 — or Juneteenth – marked the official end of slavery in the U.S. Barry McNealy, an educator with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, says even though President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it didn’t free all slaves.

UA Returns $21.5 Million to Donor & Strips Name From Law School
06-7-2019

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted Friday to return a multi-million dollar donation from Hugh Culverhouse Jr. and strip his name from the school of law.

Birmingham’s Food Desert Plan: More Grocers, Fewer Dollar Stores
06-2-2019

Nearly 70 percent of Birmingham residents live in food deserts, neighborhoods that have no grocery store or healthy food options. Now, Birmingham city officials are working to bring more grocers to the city.