Akili Tyson
- Sound Department
Akili Ramon Tyson grew up in Los Angeles and West Virginia, graduating from Harvard University in 1983. He volunteered for Pacifica Radio. Then, early in his professional career, he was awarded a Fellowship by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 1987 to work for 18 months as an associate producer for Mountain Stage, a program of West Virginia Public Radio.
In 1989, Tyson was hired by National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. At NPR, Tyson worked first as a production assistant for "Performance Today," then as a producer for "All Things Considered."
In addition to his radio work, Tyson was a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and of Gays and Lesbians in Public Radio. He produced poetry and photography in his spare time.
When he died of complications related to AIDS in May 1996, NPR host Scott Simon spoke on air about Tyson's final year of health challenges and the alternative family at NPR that rallied to his aid.
In 1989, Tyson was hired by National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. At NPR, Tyson worked first as a production assistant for "Performance Today," then as a producer for "All Things Considered."
In addition to his radio work, Tyson was a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and of Gays and Lesbians in Public Radio. He produced poetry and photography in his spare time.
When he died of complications related to AIDS in May 1996, NPR host Scott Simon spoke on air about Tyson's final year of health challenges and the alternative family at NPR that rallied to his aid.