Photo Credit: Joe Durkin, Content Courtesy of Urban One
The legendary Cathy Hughes has been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). This esteemed honor from NAB certainly seals the Urban One founder’s place among the greatest entrepreneurs and media personalities of all time.
NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith stated that the media maven’s “contributions continue to greatly influence and drive our industry.”
NAB previously recognized the 71-year old’s stellar leadership and achievements by honoring her with their 2001 Distinguished Service Award.
Hughes is no stranger to awards, and rightfully so. Over her 30 year career, she has made major strides and contributions within the broadcasting industry and beyond which has resulted in well-deserved honors and recognition such as the T. Howard Foundation’s Family of Champions award she received in 2017.
The Omaha, Nebraska native’s media career began at her hometown radio station before heading to the nation’s capital where she worked as a sales manager for Howard University’s WHUR. During her tenure at Howard, she became the station’s VP and general manager, making her the first women to ever hold that title at any station in the district. She also taught lectures at the University’s School of Communications, which, in her honor, has since been named The Cathy Hughes School of Communications.
(Photo by Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Though not her home state, the mother of one, became a notable mover and shaker within Washington, D.C., working to build up the city’s black community. These efforts have been celebrated with a street dedication in Ms. Hughes’ honor, and she was also added to the iconic mural located at historic Ben’s Chilli Bowl, joining images of other major figures including Jesse Jackson, The Obamas, and Harriet Tubman.
Watch how 4th & Hst officially became “Cathy Hughes Way”:
In 1980 the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member established the broadcasting network formerly known as Radio One with her then-husband Dewey Hughes. The company, known today as Urban One, Inc, went public in 1999 making the now multi-millionaire the first African American woman to lead a publicly traded company. Urban One has grown to operate nearly 60 radio stations across the nation and owns the marketing company One Solution, along with television stations TV One and CLEO TV, making it the world’s largest and most lucrative black-owned broadcasting and media network.
(Photo by Gerald Martineau/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
This trailblazer has been an inspiration and mentor to many and her accomplishments continue to break ceilings for women and minorities. It’s hard for us to think of a more worthy honoree than Cathy Hughes.
The induction activities took take place in Las Vegas on April 8th, 2019, during the Achievement In Broadcasting Dinner as a part of the NAB Show.
Past inductees include Larry King, Tom Joyner, and Carol Burnett. You can view the full list here.
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