Radio One’s Hughes keeps life, family in focus

Linthicum, Md. (Map, News) - Cathy Hughes made it to the top of the mountain a long time ago — but that doesn’t mean she stopped climbing.

The chairwoman of the board of Radio One Inc., an urban media specialist based in Linthicum, Hughes laid the foundation of the company in 1980 and then rode its success, in 1999 becoming the first female black head of a publicly traded company.

During her tenure at Radio One, Hughes has served as president, general manager, general sales manager and talk show host. Today, the role of president and chief executive officer of the 25-year-old company is left to her son, Alfred Liggins III.

That doesn’t mean Hughes doesn’t stay busy, however.

Her latest project, recently launched TV One, is a satellite television network aimed at black adults and a property of Radio One. [“I believe] that if you cultivate your front line, your bottom line will grow,” Hughes said.

Today, Radio One owns or operates about 70 different stations spread across 22 urban markets. To Hughes, reaching people is an important part of the job.

A former talk show host on Radio One’s flagship station WOL, she gained credibility and respect within the black community by not shying away from asking her guests tough questions and taking stands on controversial issues.

Hughes now looks to give back to the listeners who embraced her.

This year, Hughes is helping oversee a campaign providing small toiletries and waterproof blankets to 80,000 homeless people across the country.

“It’s very important for us to be in a position to make a difference in the community,” Hughes said. “A free concert isn’t making a difference.”

Hughes, originally from Omaha, Neb., moved to the Baltimore region in 1971 and became a lecturer at Howard University’s School of Communications.

She turned around a school-owned radio station before investing in what would become WOL, and ultimately Radio One, in 1980.

When she’s not traveling across the country as a speaker or on business, there’s nothing Hughes enjoys more than taking a break to go out and work in her garden — except maybe fishing.

“As a woman and minority, she’s been a role model for entrepreneurs,” said Roger Campos, the president and chief executive officer of the Minority Business Roundtable. “This really is a great achievement for her to be a leader and at the forefront, not just on African-American programming, but on mainstream radio.”

Cathy Hughes

» First job: Sold classified ads for 10 cents a word for the Omaha Star

» Education/credentials: Eight honorary doctorates

» Best job perk: Being in charge

» Daily e-mails received: 50 to 300

» Daily voice mails received: 20 to 30

» Essential Web sites: Wallstreet journal.com, and Bloomberg.com

» Career objective: Having the same impact in the cable industry that I had in the radio industry

» Favorite gadget: My fishing rod and reel

» Hometown: Omaha, Neb.

» Birth date: April 22, 1947

» Original aspirations: A radio broadcaster

» Sports/hobbies: Fishing, volunteering and gardening

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com

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