WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mayor Muriel Bowser presented a Key to the City to Cathy Hughes, honoring the pioneering broadcaster and media executive for her influence on Washington’s culture, business community and generations of Black media professionals.
Bowser described the Key to the City as one of the District’s highest honors and said it is reserved for people who have elevated the city’s culture and communities. The mayor said Hughes built not only a major media company, but also careers, jobs and opportunities for broadcasters, journalists, executives, artists and entrepreneurs.
Hughes came to Washington more than 50 years ago and made history at Howard University’s WHUR, where she helped create the “Quiet Storm” radio format. In 1980, she purchased WOL and built that station into Radio One, which later became Urban One.
In 1999, Hughes became the first Black woman to chair a publicly held corporation. Bowser also credited Hughes and WOL with giving Washington’s homegrown go-go music a platform when it needed greater exposure.
The mayor said the honor was presented in Ward 8 at an event surrounded by the music, culture and community Hughes has championed for decades. Bowser called Hughes’ decision to bet on herself, Black voices and Washington a legacy for which the District is proud and grateful.
Source: Executive Office of the Mayor
Featured image: Howard University Cathy Hughes School of Communications. Photo by ajay_suresh via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
The Washington Herald
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Washington, D.C.
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