So, you guys know that I don't get excited very often, but when I got the chance to speak with Mrs. H, I jumped at it. Mrs. Kathy Hughes, the founder of Urban One, the lady that has given me this platform to be here with you guys today. Welcome to the Midday Show for the first time. Mrs. H.,
Thank you, Divine. But change that Mrs. to miss. Don't be blocking any blessings God might be sending my way.
Just in case your future husband listening, let's correct that.
That's right. In case my future husband is listening to your show this afternoon, it's
I love to hear it. [laughter] Clearing that up. This is Miss H. Miss Kathy Hughes, the founder of Urban One. Listen, you are like phenomenal. You have helped so many people, both women and men in the industry to dream big and you have been recognized most recently very deservedly. Let's talk about the key to the city. You got this for DC. What did this feel like when Mayor Muriel Bowser presented you with the key to the city? How did that feel?
Surreal. Number one, Muriel Bowser has been in public service half of her adult life. First two-term city council member and then three-term mayor. And she wasn't overly generous with these keys. She's only given out six keys in her entire time as an elected official. Only six keys. I'm the first woman, the only woman, and she said this is the last two that she's going to give out. And so it's especially hard to really put into words to be honest with you because it's not something I ever would have anticipated or assumed that I could even qualify for. Muriel Bowser was born in Washington DC, grew up in Washington DC, was educated in Washington DC, and has been in public office for nearly two decades. And yet, of all the possible candidates, she chose me to give her last key to the only woman.
Yeah. So, when I tell you, it leaves me breathless. It leaves me speechless. And I'm talkative. So, anything that [laughter] anything that can take my speech away is really surreal to me. I'm so grateful. I am so humbled. And I just pray that I live up to what the key represents. You know, sometimes we get credit for stuff that we're like, oh yeah, I'll take credit for. I don't like to do that. I know that even though my key is my name is on the key, this key was for 45 years fought for, brought about, materialized because of the efforts of over a thousand employees in my company.
You know, I humbly accept the role of queen bee in the hive. Okay. However, I'm not one of the worker bees. They not only feed the whole swarm of bees, but they feed the queen. Okay? And although the queen bee is the ruling bee in the hive, the reality is it's the worker bees who make that hive possible. And that's how I feel about my company. I am honored that you all would allow me to be the face and give and allow me to accept the credit for what each and every one of you all do every day to fulfill my mission of giving voice and sight to our community.
Absolutely. Listen, you are giving us the platform that we all dream of, and it's because of a young girl from Omaha, Nebraska, having a big dream, and now you have over 45 years of service to the community. And you're receiving keys to the city in a city that you weren't even born and raised in. And Washington DC is where Urban One began. And I know this holds extra special meaning for you.
Absolutely. Washington DC is always it's like Philadelphia. It has had some of the most affluent African-Americans on this planet located and born and reared in this city and for them to single me out as having made a significant contribution. I share this recognition with you. Okay. I share this recognition with each and every one of my employees who make it happen every single solitary day.
Absolutely. What's for you is for you. And I know that your spirit and spirituality is strong because we hear it every morning on Reality Radio. So what role has your faith played throughout your career and overcoming your obstacles?
Oh well, number one, I don't see them as obstacles. I see them as challenges and it's only been by partnership with my creator. God is who gave me the mission, put it on my heart and mind that I could provide voice, first voice with radio and then now one day he said to me, you know, they like to see pictures also. So we got to do cable television. So he blessed me with two networks and now with technology advancing, I won digital. You know, 82% of all African-Americans interact every week with one of our five companies. Yeah. That's a reality and a blessing beyond my wildest imagination.
And you know what? You've impacted so many generations. My generations, future generations. Urban One is a community-driven conglomerate. How do you hope that your legacy continues to impact the younger generations?
Oh, the same as it has the past generations. Okay. I hope that it continues. And with the advent of new technology, we're able to get broader and deeper and be of more assistance going forward into the future than we were able to do in the past.
Yeah. And keeping that connection is extremely important. And, you know, as our queen bee, when you win, we win. So, what does this recognition? You got it. What does this recognition mean for the Urban One family and everybody that's been a part of the company's success?
Well, you're going to get an invitation. I'm going to have a big staff party for those of you that are close enough to get here on July 31st. A lot of folks that literally flew in. It was a surprise to me. I found out on Friday that on Wednesday she was planning to surprise me because [laughter] my assistant said, 'Miss Hughes is not just going to show up without hair and makeup and wardrobe.' Okay? And so, we got to tell her. But I was so touched by the number of employees who came and traveled some distance to be here. So you're going to get an invitation, staff only party, okay, celebration and an opportunity for all of us to take a picture with the key to the city because that key belongs to all of you as much as it belongs to me.
Yes. I love that. I'm on my way, Miss H. I'mma find me a cute outfit so I can get a picture with you, too. Right. [laughter] So, you got a bunch of people out there with a dollar in a dream. Young entrepreneurs, broadcasters, dreamers. What message would you give to those young ones hoping to have at least a little bit of the dream that you had? How can they follow in your footsteps?
