Founder, Chairperson of the Board & Secretary, Urban One
Search every verified Catherine Hughes interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Cathy Hughes, founder and chairwoman of Urban One, was presented with the Key to the City of Washington, D.C., by Mayor Muriel Bowser in July 2026. Hughes described the honor as "surreal" and noted that Bowser had only given out six keys total, with Hughes being the only woman recipient. She stated that she did not have a "master plan" for her career, but was instead "trying to be obedient to a vision that God had given me." Hughes credited her employees for the achievement, saying the key "belongs to all of us," and announced plans for a staff party to allow employees to take photos with the key. In interviews following the honor, Hughes discussed the role of Black-owned media and economic power. She said it is "up to those of us in black media to embrace the community and make certain that they are represented" and that "the correct view of who we are and what we really want is shown." She also described what she called a "GOP war on black America," stating that "it's very difficult for black media, for nonprofits and others to survive in this era with the level of attacks on our people."
“It means it's the highest honor a city can give you. It means that you have made a major contribution to that city. The interesting thing is um Mayor Muriel Bowser was on the city council for two terms and then mayor for three terms. She only gave out six keys total. And I'm the only woman.”
“To be very honest with you, I never had a master plan. All I was trying to do was being obedient, trying to be obedient to a vision that God had given me that came with it. The obligation to take the mute button off of black people in DC.”
“It's up to those of us in black media to embrace the community and make certain that they are represented, their opinions are heard, that the correct view of who we are and what we really want is shown. Uh, but I don't see that as as ever even being discussed in a corporate board meeting at one of the big um, you know,...”
“I call this thing a war a GOP war on black America and I keep saying they want to defund black America. This thing is real and it reaches when you have government and corporations uh together at the same time. Listen, it's very difficult for black media, for nonprofits and others to survive in this era with the level o...”
“We're up to 75 radio stations. We've got two cable networks, 32 digital platforms, and God has blessed us to be the company where 82% of all African Americans touch one of our five companies every week.”
“I was the first African American woman to chair a publicly held corporation. And although I get credit for that, it's because of my business partner and my son, Alfred Liggins, who now thinks he's my daddy.”
“Annie Malone was the first black woman to establish herself in the hair industry. Annie Malone was the richest woman, black or white, the richest person in the state of Missouri. For 10 straight years, she paid more taxes in Missouri than anybody white.”
“We're up to 75 radio stations. We've got two cable networks, 32 digital platforms, and God has blessed us to be the company where 82% of all African Americans touch one of our five companies every week.”
“I was the first African-American woman to chair a publicly held corporation. And although I get credit for that is because of my business partner and my son Alfred Ligins, who now thinks he's my daddy.”
“Annie Malone was the first black woman to establish herself in the music industry, in the uh hair industry. Annie Malone was the richest woman, black or white, the richest person in the state of Missouri. For 10 straight years, she paid more taxes in Missouri than anybody white.”
“Before you judge someone harshly, put it back on yourself and put try to put yourself in their place. And you know, people are just very quick to believe that. And and I couldn't say that in the book because I was like, I don't want to sound like I'm... Give people the benefit of a doubt and don't always think the wors...”
“It is so important. And support groups. That's your church. Sometimes the best therapy comes from a good friend who is not jealous, who's not trying to... Listen to what they're saying. Yes. You should be able to determine whether or not that person really has your best interest at heart.”
“My great great grandmother was a slave. She was half Cherokee and half African. And she had 11 children in Louisville, Kentucky. And she uh was the slave her whole family to a gentleman who had six sons and one daughter. And she the daughter was the apple of her his eye. And so she inherited the plantation with the sla...”
“As you know, I'm the first woman of color to chair a publicly held corporation. So I have to say this for the camera that my number one priority is the enhancement and advancement of stockholder investment. I am here to make stockholders some money.”
“There's an old African proverb that until the lion learns how to read and write, the story of the hunt will always favor the hunter. And I know how to read and write. So, I have assumed the responsibility for expressing both through pictures and voice through audio the true story of what's going on in black America.”
Urban One founder and chairwoman Cathy Hughes is reflecting on receiving a key to Washington, D.C., while emphasizing that ...
Cathy Hughes, founder of Urban One, reflects on receiving the Key to the City from Mayor Muriel Bowser. She shares how this honor symbolizes obedience to her vision and gratitude for her employees.
Urban One founder Cathy Hughes reflects on receiving the key to Washington, D.C. and credits employees for helping amplify ...
Washington, D.C., honored Black media pioneer Cathy Hughes with the Key to the City, and she used the moment to speak plainly about Black-owned media, economic power, leadership and sacrifice. For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (724) 264-8281 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/roland Paid Partnership Washington, D.C., honored Urban One founder and Black media pioneer Cathy Hughes with the Key to the City, recognizing her decades of leadership in broadcasting, journalism, entrepreneurship and community service. In a wide-ranging conversation wit…
Media mogul and local D.C. legend Cathy Hughes received her very own key to the city. News4’s Joseph Olmo reports. _______ NBC4 Washington / WRC-TV is the No. 1 broadcast television station and the home of the most-watched local news in Washington, D.C. The station leads the market in providing timely and breaking news and information in text, video and graphics across more than 15 platforms including NBCWashington.com, the NBC4 app, NBC4 streaming news channel, newsletters, and social media. FOLLOW & STREAM NBC4 WASHINGTON NBC4 News Streaming channel: https://www.nbcwashington.com/watch/ X…
Cathy Hughes is the founder of Urban One, the largest African American-owned broadcast network with 54 radio stations around the United States. Cathy spoke with Guy about the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement and how Black entrepreneurs can meet the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. These conversations are excerpts from our How I Built Resilience series, where Guy talks online with founders and entrepreneurs about how they're navigating turbulent times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell....
Urban One founder Cathy Hughes stops by Get Up Mornings With Erica Campbell to celebrate 10 years on the air and share the powerful origin story behind the show. She remembers the first phone call, Erica’s surprising “no,” the quick call-back after talking to Warren Campbell, and why she knew Erica and Griff were the perfect team for mornings. Watch this special anniversary moment as Erica and Griff react, give thanks, and honor the people who helped build the Get Up Church over the last decade. Subscribe for more faith, inspiration, money tips, health, relationships, and behind-the-scenes m…
Keynote speaker Tina Knowles shares her story and talks about her best-selling memoir "Matriarch" with longtime friend and Urban One founder and entrepreneur Cathy Hughes. 2:46 Cathy Hughes on stage introduces Tina Knowles 10:20 Tina Knowles and Cathy Hughes chat
Keynote speaker Tina Knowles shares her story and talks about her best-selling memoir "Matriarch" with longtime friend and Urban One founder and entrepreneur Cathy Hughes. Cathy Hughes on Stage: 2:45 Tina Knowles on Stage: 9:58
The first Her Legacy event in Durham on May 2 brought together inspiration, laughter and hard-earned wisdom as Urban One founder Cathy Hughes joined on-air talents RoyalTea and Mir.I.Am for a candid conversation about purpose, perseverance and legacy.
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