Cathy Hughes

Cathy Hughes is an entrepreneur, media executive, and broadcaster recognized for her influence on African-American media. Hughes began her radio career at Howard University in Washington, D.C., joining the School of Communications and advancing to general sales manager of the university's radio station, WHUR-FM. In that role, she increased the station's annual revenue from $250,000 to $3 million in one year. Hughes later became the first woman vice president and general manager of a radio station in the nation's capital. During this period, she developed the "Quiet Storm" format, a late-night blend of R&B, ballads, and smooth jazz that became a staple of urban radio and was adopted by more than 480 stations nationwide.

Hughes purchased WOL-AM in Washington, D.C., where she introduced the "24-Hour Talk from a Black Perspective" format, guided by the theme "Information is Power." She hosted the station's morning show for 11 years, and WOL remains a leading talk radio station in Washington, D.C.

From this foundation, Hughes built Urban One, Inc., the largest African-American-owned diversified media corporation in the United States. Working with her son and business partner, Alfred C. Liggins III, Hughes expanded the company to reach more than 80 percent of Black U.S. households through subsidiaries including Radio One, with over 55 broadcast radio stations; cable television networks TV One and CLEO-TV; syndication company Reach Media; digital platform iOne Digital; and marketing firm One Solution. The company became publicly traded, making Hughes the first African-American woman to chair a publicly traded corporation. TV One, launched by the company, is the country's largest African-American-owned cable channel and features series such as "Unsung" and "Uncensored."

Hughes has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Radio Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Her honors include the ADColor Lifetime Achievement Award, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chair's Phoenix Award, the NAACP Chairman's Award, the Giant of Broadcasting Award, the Essence Women Shaping the World Award, the Madam C.J. Walker Award for Entrepreneurship, and the NAB Lifetime Achievement Award. Howard University renamed its School of Communications the Cathy Hughes School of Communications in recognition of her contributions to communications education. Hughes has also been listed among the wealthiest Black women in the United States.

Throughout her career, Hughes has focused on mentoring emerging media professionals and amplifying Black voices across radio, television, and digital platforms. Her journey, from overcoming multiple bank rejections to building a major media corporation, highlights her commitment to community-centered storytelling. As founder and chairperson of Urban One, Hughes continues to influence the landscape of African-American media.