A Story Reclaimed Through Community Media: Spotlight on Community Producer Randall Clegg

Randall Clegg walked through Open Signal’s doors as he was moving into a new chapter of his life. He spent 30 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, a time defined by what others have said about him. Today, Randall is home, healing, and stepping to the microphone. “My story has never been told,” Randall shares. “The story they wanted people to believe about me, that’s been told. But mine hasn’t.”

His story is complex, painful, and still unfolding, but he’s at work on a project that defies silence: The Mourning Man, a podcast rooted in reflection and the possibility of transformation. His work speaks to the grief of wrongful incarceration, the challenges of reentry, and the power of reclaiming your own narrative.

Randall’s path to storytelling is personal, but also deeply collective. He brings people together: family members, friends, young creatives — people who hadn’t yet stepped into a studio but suddenly saw their place in one. His nephew, an emerging music producer, created the show’s intro music. Another friend is working on a podcast from inside, and Randall’s already thinking of how to help him connect to Open Signal upon release. He’s offering help where he can, while asking for what he needs.

This is how community media grows: through open doors, shared resources, and making space for people to create on their own terms. “If you feel like I could be there for you, come talk to me,” Randall says. “And if I need help, I’ll come talk to you.”

From their very first conversation, Randall and Open Signal Community Media Cohort Facilitator Melissa built a working relationship grounded in trust and possibility. She didn’t just teach him about the studios or editing, she also encouraged him to create a container for his truth.

That’s because public access means more than equipment. It means being met where you are and being supported in crafting something honest, liberatory, and entirely your own. At Open Signal, we believe everyone deserves access to the tools and training that help them craft their own narratives, especially those whose voices have been silenced or misrepresented. We’re proud to be one part of a growing network of storytellers, advocates, and neighbors like those behind The Mourning Man.

Want to support emerging creators like Randall? Make a gift today to sustain Open Signal’s community media programs!