Meet Wayne Boucard - Talking Radio, Building A Connection With The Youth And Pursuing Your Passion.

Radical, Analog, Digital, International, Original are just some of the words, which can be used to describe the Medium known as Radio.Before we had Twitter, Facebook, Hi 5 and other social media outlets, radio was the only way one could broadcast their thoughts to the masses. How things have changed. However, Guglielmo Marconi’s theory of radio waves is still an important outlet for people to express themselves, as Wayne Boucaud does on his radio show Blackin3D.

The dreams and ideas of an eclectic music-based show was one that Mr Boucaud has had since childhood. Wayne’s parents originally from Trinidad, had an eclectic mix of music in their East London home. The RnB records were a favourite to the future Blackin3D producer, but he wasn’t only listening to Rhythm and Blues. “Some groups would have all of the RnB hits on them, and then right at the end of the playlist they’d have this rock track in there - no one would play this track; you’d never hear it anywhere.” This intrigued Wayne and planted a seed in his head, “I thought to myself, as soon as I get the opportunity, I’m going to have a show that reflects the music I have been listening to which hasn’t really been given a platform.”





We all dream as youngsters and sometimes things become too materialistic. Commitments such as family and paying bills can take priority, and all it takes is one thing to ignite that flame again. “Camden Community Radio had a workshop at Maiden Lane Community and everything I know about radio is from them, scripting, editing and podcasting.” It’s fair to say Camden Community relit the flame for Wayne.

While he was coming towards the end of the workshops, Wayne noticed the community centre was hosting a fun day for kids. As Wayne was leaving the centre, he started a conversation with one of the young people. This conversation made him realise something important; “I didn’t think I had that ability to communicate with these young people. The engagement was so inspirational, I asked one of the workers - how can I become a youth worker?” The youth worker spoke to Wayne about getting a CRB check, stating that it would be hard work to become a youth worker. “I was volunteering for two years, and then they said if you’re serious about this youth work, you need to do a diploma level 3.”

When something is worth having, you have to work hard for it, and Wayne did just that. He’s now a qualified level 3 youth worker. “For youth clubs the power of the presence of a youth worker holds, and how you carry yourself can speak volumes. I just worry about youth clubs, youth work, youth workers, and funding.” During his time as a youth worker, Wayne has met some really ambitious, hardworking and fun individuals. He’s met young people who simply needed guidance to know what they want from life. He’s also met some young people who are unruly but when spoken to, are simply misunderstood. “A youth who I hadn’t seen before was at club, I asked him what he’s doing for the weekend and he replied ‘I’m just going to go out on the streets to make some money’, I said to him, ‘what are you talking about?” Wayne sat down with him. “I don’t know if anyone has had a conversation with him like I did, but this boy properly started to think about his life, and that’s the reason why youth workers are needed.”

“It’s all politics; everything around us is about politics.” As well as being listened to, young people also need to know about their rights and have a voice to get their rights and needs met, so Wayne encourages them to vote.

“It’s really important that there is something for these young people to go to - if all else fails they can go to a youth club and see their youth worker, but there’s not enough of this right now due to funding cuts. That’s the thing that worries me about young people.”

Across the UK, youth services have lost at least £60 million worth of funding between the years of 2012 and 2014. At least 2000 jobs have been lost in that period which has led to approximately 350 youth centres closing, and 41,000 youth service places being cut for young people.

Wayne often talks to young people about music, but doesn’t always agree with their taste. “If I led a music workshop and was using Hip Hop as an example, the artists I would pull out wouldn’t be Jay Z or the Eminem. I would go for conscious types like Common, Nas and A Tribe Called Quest.” These conscious rappers aren’t the most popular with the youth. Could this be because they’re not interested in what those other artists are rapping about? Surely not, what lyrics would they be interested in listening to then? “They’re listening to music on loud speakers with their iPhones full of cussing.” Wayne tries to show the teens that other types of musicians are cool: “I put up images of artists holding an instrument like a bass or a saxophone.” Hopefully these images can influence the youth to invest their time in picking up a new skill in the form of an instrument, instead of going insane in the membrane trying to figure out the latest Eminem rap.




Wayne would love to see some of the teenagers get into radio, “One of the things I come across with young people is that they want things now, and it’s just not going to happen. If you do get it now you’ll fall on your face as you haven’t done the ground work.” Although Wayne enjoys working with young people, he will always admire his first true love. “I really like my radio actually. I love the youth work but because music is a real passion for me, I have to say I prefer radio to youth work.”

“I wouldn’t want to do radio full time as there are other things I’d like to do, I really want to get back into making music again”. Wayne used to be in a rock band for two years before he went into radio and youth work.

It’s never too late to change your life and pursuit your dream. Although he had to work for free and learn his trade, Wayne Boucaud is living his dream and influencing the next generation to pursue their ambitions, despite wherever they came from.

If you have a dream, chase it, and don’t stop trying until you achieve that dream.

Wayne’s show Blackin3D is broadcasted every 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 20:00 – 22:00pm on www.k2kradio.com

Subject - Wayne Boucaud
Photographer and writer - Cris Blaize 

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