Lessons From The Pandemic

By: Skip Dillard

VP of National Community Partnerships WBLS/Hot 97 Radio NYC. Lover of music, photography, travel, Theology, great food, reading, technology, pianos and art.

Sitting in our conference room the first week in March, none of us would have dreamed our plan to transition our station’s staffers to working from home for several weeks would still be in place a year later. I’ve personally learned to be more patient, appreciate my health, and take nothing for granted.

Radio has learned that “local matters” and while our industry has never had to adapt to anything this quickly, we’re going to be better and even more relevant as life improves. Our industry has never been busier, supporting our audiences and advertisers through the pandemic, cries for social justice, a most controversial 2020 National election and now vaccine distribution. And the work is just beginning as we climb out of a long “pause” for humanity on so many levels.

A “new normal” is coming and it’s going to be crucial that all of us work together to adapt and bring positive change, while restarting our economy which will lead to new jobs, better business ownership opportunities and use of technology to make us healthier!