Over the years, David Honig has been a vocal advocate for increasing the number of minority broadcast owners and for identifying opportunities for capital to purchase properties.   His Minority Media and Telecommunications Council is at the forefront of key legislative issues affecting broadcast media. During the “I Am My Own Boss” panel at the Unity Journalists of Color Conference, Honig took no prisoners when he highlighted that diversity in media companies is at its worse levels in more than two decades.   He remains undeterred by the dismal numbers, and says anybody who has just been let go needs to be strategic and take advantage of the opportunities:

* Retrain. Take this time to retool.  Get a Master’s Degree in a specialty area. Take classes to learn more about digital media, the internet and other skills that could make you more marketable.

* Take advantage of market opportunities.  Buy a TV or radio station.  Become an owner.  Check in with MMTC or the NAB [National Association of Broadcasters] to find out how you make that move.

* Work with ethnic media locally or nationally.  Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and other media are usually always looking for contributions. Reach out to them and let them know you’d like to work with them.

* Visit Washington, DC. Visit foreign embassies and let them know you worked for the media and you want to help their media in some way, e.g. writing, editing, layout, TV production.

* Start your own website.  The technology is so accessible today. Just do it, don’t be afraid.

* Use your experience and expertise to start your own business.  You know more than the average person. Take advantage of it.

* Take your story to Hollywood. You all have wonderful ideas and are talented writers. Talk to some producers and you may be surprised how you might be able to turn your writing talents into a screenplay.

Now, read more from our panelists:

Sidmel Estes-Sumpter and Janice Bryant Howroyd.