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Lata Murti

Host of Central Coast Voices

Dr. Lata Murti is co-host of Central Coast Voices, heard every Thursday afternoon on KCBX from 1:00-2:00 p.m. After receiving her Ph.D. in American Studies & Ethnicity from the University of Southern California in 2010, Lata has dedicated herself to education, particularly in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.

Since 2011, she has been a professor of sociology teaching both online and hybrid undergraduate classes to adult learners at University of Massachusetts Global (formerly Brandman University). In addition, she became the tutorial faculty for UMass Global’s Diversity Certificate and Competency courses beginning in Fall 2021.

Dr. Murti also writes and edits, with her work having appeared in a variety of forums, including SPARK—the online magazine of the National Center for Institutional Diversity—The Santa Maria Times, as well as books from Universal Publishers and Complexity Publishing, Inc. Her research on the intersectional experiences of juvenile school educators has been published as a chapter in a 2021 book from Springer Press titled Gender, Race, and Class in the Lives of Today’s Teachers-Educators at Intersections, which she co-edited with Dr. Glenda M. Flores.

Outside of teaching and writing, Dr. Murti has been deemed a community activist for her work with organizations such as the Santa Maria Branch of the American Association of University Women and the Santa Maria-Lompoc Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, in addition to her online workshops on cultural humility hosted by organizations throughout California.

When Lata is not teaching, volunteering, or writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, her two kids, and her parents.

Lata's email: lata@kcbx.org

  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests working to move Hope Village Santa Maria forward, Sylvia Barnard, Executive Director with Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Maria, and Edwin Weaver, Executive Director with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. They will discuss the proposed Hope Village in Santa Maria Valley, an interim supportive housing community specifically for people experiencing homelessness in the Santa Maria Valley.You are invited to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 3/28/24 Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Today in recognition of Women’s History Month, guests will talk about this celebration and the work of organizations who are making sure that all women, including women of color, are being recognized while listening to youths' concerns about gender, the economy, and gender equity on California’s Central Coast. Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests Rita Casaverde, Executive Director of Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo (SLO) County and co-lead organizer of the County’s Women of Color Network, Joy Pedersen, Dean of Students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chair of Coalition Building for Diversity Coalition of SLO County, and co-lead organizer of the County’s Women of Color Network, and Rachell Frazian, Youth Services Librarian and Bookmobile Manager at Lompoc Public Library.You are invited to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 2/22/24Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests Rob Himoto, President of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, and Shelley Klein, Curator of the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. They will discuss the history of the Central Coast, its development, and current efforts to preserve this rich past.You are invited to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 1/25/24Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests from Meals that Connect, Brandee Puett, Resource Manager, and volunteers, Ty Griffin and Laura Kirschner. They will discuss the impact of Meals That Connect on seniors and the community, and how individuals can get involved, volunteer, or donate.You are invited to listen, learn and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 11/15/23Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests from Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County, Caity McCardell, Development Director, Marina Penna, Site-Based Program Manager, and Dawn Siegmund, Community-Based Program Manager. They will discuss their work empowering kids in our community to achieve their full potential and what can be done to assist in these efforts.You are invited to listen, learn and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 10/19/23 Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with members of the Uplift Central Coast Coalition, Project Director, Quinn Brady, and Project Manager, Lady Freire. They will discuss this six-county partnership working to attract investment and expand opportunities for Central Coast residents.You are invited to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation on Thursday, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 9/21/23Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests from the Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, Rita Casaverde, Executive Director, and board member, Kendra Paulding. They will discuss their work and vision to make San Luis Obispo County a welcoming and inclusive community, sustained by collaborative and shared values of equity and social justice.You are invited to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation on Thursday, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 8/17/23Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests involved in renovations to historical buildings of Guadalupe.
  • Join host Lata Murti as she speaks with guests from the Central Coast involved in organizing upcoming Juneteenth celebrations in their communities, including the Rev. Stephen Vines, President, NAACP SLO County Branch, and Cheryl Vines, San Luis Obispo Juneteenth Chair. They will discuss the history and importance of Juneteenth, as well as share details about upcoming celebrations.You are invited to listen, learn and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855 or email questions to voices@kcbx.org.Broadcast date: 6/15/23Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.
  • Join Lata Murti as she speaks with guests Dusty Colyer-Worth, Executive Director with the Gala Pride & Diversity Center, Laura Albers, Central Coast Pride Director with Gala, and Tommy Ruiz, Volunteer with Santa Maria 2023 Pride. They will discuss the history of Pride, share details about the upcoming Central Coast Pride events, as well as talk about continuing work to lift the LGBTQ+ community and how we can assist with these efforts.You are invited to listen, learn, and participate in the conversation, between 1-2 pm. Call in and be part of the discussion at (805) 549-8855.Broadcast date: 5/18/2023Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX.