As the old English proverb says, “March comes in like a lion...” It feels like 2021 is racing by! While our world is still working to establish a “new normal” in many ways, I’m excited that our station has continued to adapt and meet community needs during this last year in the midst of a global pandemic. Our day-to-day operations and events may continue to look different than we are all accustomed to, but we continue to move forward with another month full of exciting television programs, radio broadcasts and virtual events.
I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to the staff of Another View! The program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In this month’s cover story, you’ll hear from producers and hosts Barbara Hamm Lee and Lisa Godley about the show’s beginnings and its importance to the community. If you are not already a regular listener to this show on WHRV at noon on Thursdays, I encourage you to check it out.
March is also an exciting month for the WHRO Education team. Last month, we crowned a winner in our annual spelling bee, and we are currently accepting entries to our annual Young Storytellers Contest. Each year, we receive hundreds of original stories written and illustrated by students in kindergarten through fifth grade. If you have a child interested in entering this writing contest, there is still time. Visit whro.org/writerscontest to learn more. The deadline to enter is April 2.
On March 18, we have another Indie Lens Pop-Up virtual screening. These events are premiere screenings of upcoming Independent Lens broadcasts hosted by WHRO Public Media's Emerging Leaders Board. Our film for March is Coded Bias in which MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini investigates widespread bias in algorithms that shape the technology in our lives. Visit whro.org/events for more information.
Later this month we will launch our Spring FM membership drive. This is always an exciting time for us as we get to hear from listeners who generously support WHRO and WHRV FM. If you enjoy the news, music and classical arts performances that you hear on our stations, I hope you will make a contribution to support all of the ongoing work we are doing. Without you, none of it would be possible!
I hope you and your family enjoy a healthy, happy spring!
Bert Schmidt President & Chief Executive Officer