Since it’s inception, the Emory MDP program has partnered with local as well as international partner orgnaizations, giving students the chance to apply their skills in a range of grassroots and non-profit organizations in the Atlanta area as they prepare for field experiences overseas. Sagal Radio, which broadcasts in 6 of the languages common in Clarkston, Georgia’s diverse refugee communities, is one of the MDP program’s longstanding local partners. Emory MDP interns have helped with assessment of on-air content, interviewing listeners around Clarkston about what they've enjoy about the programming. Other MDP interns have assisted with new technology development and grantwriting to support the station.  

In 2013-2014, a team of MDP students worked with Sagal Radio on strategic planning and long-term sustainability issues. Fallon Frappier, Sarah Harlan and Julie Kedroske (all MDP ‘15) interviewed Sagal Radio supporters and advertisers to better  understand how Sagal was perceived as an asset to the community, and then assessed challenges and opportunities to building an operational plan that would allow Sagal Radio to thrive. Partway through their internship year, in February 2014, the Sagal Radio offices were destroyed by fire, slowing the station’s long-term planning work while it focused on basic programming and rebuilding. In March 2015, Sagal reopened in brand new office space in downtown Clarkston.

“We are so thrilled to hear that Sagal is rebuilding,” said Sarah Harlan. “We hope that the community and the city of Clarkston understand what an asset Sagal Radio is, and the role it plays as a community liaison and ambassador for the city's refugee population.”

“It’s great to have the studio back, even better and nicer and more convenient for our listeners, ” Sagal Radio Executive Director Hussien Mohamed told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We can’t be silenced by a fire. The people need us and we are coming back, louder and stronger than ever.” Read more on Sagal’s reopening in the AJC, here.