Cause for Applause
Sarah Mclachlan once said, “There’s beauty everywhere. There are amazing things happening everywhere, you just have to be able to open your eyes and witness it.”
Seems there’s a radio announcer/assistant music director for the radio station Boom 99.7 in Ottawa who has decided to do just that. His name is Dylan Black, and these days, in addition to his radio work, he’s the host of a community television show called Daytime Ottawa. He’s also community events coordinator at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, and he emcees at many dierent charity events around town. He is a huge supporter and 24-time telethon participant for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Make-a-wish and Max Keeping Fund. He’s also an honorary board member of Ability First Ottawa and he’s now close to donating blood 100 times for the Canadian Blood Services.
Jenn Bruno, a territory manager of Canadian Blood Services, has worked with Black on multiple life-saving initiatives and she says, “I see first-hand what an impact he makes. He inspires so many, and we are lucky to have him as a community leader.”
There’s been charitable work as well. In five years, Black collected $15,000 through the Movember campaign. He raised over $3,700 for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada through Boom’s “#buzzforboobs” campaign. In 2020, he raised over $5,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and his annual “Birthday Extravaganza” collected close to $10,000 for various charities including Tysen’s Mission to a Million and Beyond.
When asked how it all began, Black says he was born in Hawkesbury, Ont., in 1977 and went to school in Vankleek Hill. While working as the student council president at his high school, he was complimented for his delivery of the morning announcements and he loved doing it. From there, he worked at a radio station in Belleville, and then moved to Ottawa where he worked at KOOL FM 93 dot 9, Majic 100, 106.9 The Bear, Virgin Radio, DAWG FM and finally landed at Boom 99.7 in 2013, where he’s remained ever since.
His work at the radio station involves a lot of different responsibilities, such as assisting with the music programming of all of the 24/7 music in advance. But that’s just part of his job.
“From Wednesday to Friday, I program music,” Black says. “Then I’m on air on Saturday and Sunday from 9-2 p.m.”
Black also talks between the music, runs contests, interviews people and interacts on social media. Then he takes it a step further.
Community is huge for Black, so he uses his platforms to help people. Sometimes he attends events during his work hours and sometimes runs online events after work. Before COVID hit, Black had worked seven days a week for three years.
When asked what drives him to do all of this, he names a few reasons. One is his relationship with the late philanthropist and popular news anchor for Ottawa’s CTV News, Max Keeping. Another was the generosity of Black’s late father. Black’s young son is
named after these two great influences in his life.
“Max was my mentor for 20 years. He helped me become a better broadcaster and community-minded person,” says Black.
In addition, Black supports blood donation to honour his late mother, who needed life-saving blood during the delivery of his brother, years ago.
Howard Wagman, owner of Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club in Ottawa, is notably impressed: “Dylan puts everyone ahead of himself all of the time. I can honestly say that there are a small handful of people I truly admire as much as I do Dylan.”
Wagman isn’t alone in his admiration. Black keeps winning awards for his community support: He was voted Ottawa’s Favourite Tv-media Personality in 2020 and 2021; he’s been honoured with the United Way Community Builder Award; the Humanitarian, Volunteer and Emcee of the Year; the Corus Entertainment “Show We Care” Award; the Premier’s Award; the Mayor’s City Builder Award; and Ottawa’s Best Radio Personality Award in 2021.
Black also considers it his mission to shine a spotlight on the everyday people who accomplish great things in the community.
“The world is full of so much negativity. But there are a lot of people who don’t get the recognition they deserve,” says Black. “These people don’t look for recognition, they just do it because they have beautiful hearts. People are so good. It inspires me to continue doing what I’m doing.”
Hear Dylan on 70s, 80s, 90s, boom 99.7—www.boom997.com