Leadership, Rain, and Music History

In this, my #1 popular episode, published in 2015, I explored Diana Ross’ legendary 1983 Central Park concert, where music and leadership collided amidst a torrential downpour.  Discover how Ross captivated a bi-racial crowd, managed chaos with grace, and turned a challenging performance into a cultural milestone.  From the event’s impact on early cable streaming via Showtime to Ross’ resilience and promises to her fans, Cynthia connects the dots between pop culture, feminism, and the business of entertainment.

The stories behind the scenes are as fascinating as the performance, including the NYC Parks Department’s role, the significance of this  moment for Ross’ career, and how it paved the way for new media  opportunities. How did Diana manage to hold it all together in such  adverse conditions? What does her leadership teach us today?

I am so proud of this episode.