Unity 101 Community Radio unites, educates and empowers Southampton’s diverse communities

Ram Kalyan “Kelly” 

I moved to Southampton in 2000 and, as I approach 25 years in this dynamic city, it has truly become my home. The people, the culture and the strong sense of community make it a place I cherish deeply.

My professional journey has been diverse, spanning entertainment, business and community service. I have worked as a DJ, entrepreneur and co-owner of the Academy Theatre Discotheque. My ventures also include owning restaurants and a music company, where I blended my passion for business and entertainment. Today, I dedicate my time to serving the community as a full-time volunteer at Unity 101 Community Radio, where I continue to connect, inspire and empower people through the power of media.

Before launching Unity 101, I spent countless hours speaking with people across Southampton, conducting surveys and identifying a common desire – a radio station that unites people. Not just for the Asian community, but for all ethnic communities.

Everyone I spoke to thought there was a need for a local radio station that they felt would be for them, with programming and broadcasters they could really relate to. They wanted to feel that they could contribute the programmes, suggesting topics, music and interviews. And they were keen to learn about people from different backgrounds and to give them their own space within this single, unifying platform too.

Our journey began with a 28-day restricted licence to gauge community interest. The overwhelming response confirmed the need for a dedicated platform and on 8^th December 2005, we officially secured our full-time broadcasting licence.

At the heart of Unity 101 is a passionate team of 34 volunteers, five of whom have served for over 10 years. This loyalty speaks volumes about the culture of inclusivity and camaraderie we have built.

Unity 101 broadcasts in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Polish, Pashto, Dari, Bengali, Chinese and Gujarati. Our diverse programming celebrates culture, art, literature, music, food and fashion, ensuring that every community finds its voice.

We’re celebrating our 20^th birthday with ‘A World of Cultures’, an extraordinary series of events displaying the richness of global heritage through music, art, cuisine and traditions. This vibrant celebration will highlight cultures, including Bangla, Mandarin and Cantonese, English, Gujarati and Hindi, Pashto/Dari & Urdu, Polish, African and Caribbean Creole.

We’ll be showcasing arts and crafts, including Bangla nakshi kantha embroidery, Mandarin calligraphy, Punjabi phulkari, Polish wycinanki paper cutting and Kiswahili Adinkra symbols. There will be interactive workshops on truck art, carnival mask-making and more.

We have a diverse and exciting lineup of music and performance, including Punjabi Bhangra, Pashto/Dari Attan, English rock, Chinese lion dances, Caribbean steel pans and Urdu Qawwali plus performances using traditional instruments like the Rubab, Erhu and Pipa.

The events will be taking place at multiple locations across the city. Starting at midday and finishing at 3pm, with free entry for all, each of our volunteer teams will host a special celebration and everyone is welcome to any of the events. On Sunday 30^th March at The Design Chapel it’s the Team English celebration; 27^th April at De Ja Vu, Mayflower Park is Team Punjabi; 25^th May at De Ja Vu is Team Hindi; 29^th June at the Polish Club, Portswood Road is Team Polish; 27^th July at De Je Vu is Team Chinese; 31^st August at Mbuntu is Team African and Caribbean; 28^th September at De Ja Vu is Team Urdu and Team Pashto/Dari; 26^th October at The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford is Team Bangla and 30^th November at De Ja Vu is Team Gujurati.

There will be free snacks and soft drinks for everyone, plus the chance to experience the world through a multicultural lens, while celebrating 20 years of Unity 101’s commitment to diversity and community spirit.

Unity 101 has always been a volunteer-led initiative, operating without long-term funding. We continuously seek support from advertisers, sponsors and the wider community to keep our station thriving. Despite financial challenges, our commitment remains unwavering – we exist to unite, educate and empower Southampton’s diverse communities.

We have plenty of plans for the next 20 years and we warmly encourage anyone who hasn’t found Unity 101 to give us a listen! We think you’ll like what you hear.

To find out more about our 20^th birthday celebrations, https://unity101.org/celebrate-unity-101s-20-anniversary/