By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Urban One, an African-American-led media conglomerate, celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2025, marking decades of growth from a single radio station founded by the renowned Cathy Hughes.
Photo Credit: Courtesy photo
Urban One, the parent company of TV One, Radio One, Reach Media, iOne Digital, One Solution and Cleo TV, is now one of the largest African-American content providers in the U.S.
Hughes created the company on Oct. 2, 1980, forging a path of her own and creating space for Black people to be at the forefront of news and entertainment that matters to them.
Hughes reflected on her journey and purpose behind creating Radio One.
“I always knew that I wanted to be in radio,” said Hughes. “I felt it, I loved it, I listened to it, and I analyzed just how I could strategically fit in.”
She also spoke to her lasting impact on urban radio.
“I created a format that changed urban radio called ‘The Quiet Storm,’” said Hughes.
She described it as the most successful venture in urban radio, changing how DJs, people who create a program of music on radio or other mediums, operate.
“At one time, anything that dealt with the African-American community in terms of air personalities, it was assumed that they would be doing what was then called ‘jive talking,’” said Hughes. “‘The Quiet Storm’ allowed African-American air personalities as well as White air personalities who targeted a Black listening audience to literally be themselves and sound – quite frankly – less buffoonish.”
Ventures like Radio One helped pave the way for Black people on air, at a time when they were not allowed to host radio shows until the 1950s, when Black people began owning radio stations and placing media personalities on the airwaves.
A Radio One host and political legend, former Maryland State Sen. Larry Young, shared his thoughts on this milestone. Young said the more than 25 years he’s spent with Radio One hosting his iconic show, the “Larry Young Morning Show,” was instrumental in reaffirming his commitment to public service.
“Our job was to be as close to the community and assess the community’s position and stand with the community on the issues that mattered,” said Young, 76. “We became the microphone for the neighborhood groups that were suffering and getting no attention.
“My radio audience wasn’t an audience, they became my family,” said Young.
In recent years and extending into 2026, Hughes said Urban One has expanded into Spanish-speaking markets, further enlarging that family.
“One of the strategies for our growth and development is to service our Brown brothers and sisters and not just the Black community,” said Hughes.
To meet the growing demand, Urban One has expanded its Spanish-language radio programming in the Midwest, including markets such as Cleveland, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Ind. In the Washington, D.C., area, Urban One changed one of its FM frequencies to a Spanish-language tropical music station featuring reggaeton and bachata.
“It’s important for you to grow with your audience,” said Hughes. “It’s important for you to recognize what the consumer desires. We probably are one of the most research-oriented radio companies in the business … because we try to ascertain on a weekly basis what it is that our audience wants to hear and what they want to do and what’s important to them.”
Tiara Laniece, an on-air personality, said her first three months at Urban One have taught her more about radio than she ever expected. At Urban One, Laniece said she is focused on listening and understanding the audience, particularly young people. She emphasized the importance of recognizing how youth experiences differ from previous generations, shaped by social and economic changes.
“I love going into new opportunities guided by my passion and learning new things,” which is what working at Urban One offers, Laniece said.
As Urban One looks ahead to another 45 years, remaining committed to community needs will continue to be its foundation.