WASHINGTON, D.C., August 2, 2011 – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law honored Catherine L. Hughes, Founder, Chairperson of the Board and Secretary of Radio One, Inc., with the 2011 Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award yesterday. She received the prestigious award during a reception at The National Bar Association’s (NBA) 86th Annual Convention at the Hilton Baltimore. The first and only African American woman to chair a publicly held company, Ms. Hughes was recognized as a trailblazing change agent, renowned for catapulting issues pertinent to the Black community into the mainstream by founding and managing the largest African-American owned broadcast company in the world with subsidiaries and interests in radio, T.V., online, and more.
“For many years in America, the Black voice had been markedly absent from mainstream broadcasting, disservicing the African-American community,” said Lawyers’ Committee Executive Director Barbara Arnwine. “Using her media prowess, Cathy Hughes sought to change this climate in 1980 with the acquisition of her first radio station, aiming to promote the ‘Black Perspective.’ She has remained true to her mission. Her unyielding dedication to minority communities, often including civil rights issues, entrepreneurial spirit, and mentorship, particularly to women, is consistently reflected in every aspect of her life.”
“I am so thankful and proud to be recognized by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law at the National Bar Associations 86th Annual Convention,” said Hughes. “To be in the company of such distinguished past recipients is truly an honor and a significant milestone in my career. I’m looking forward to the reception and the opportunity to further promote the advocacy of civil rights, because the need is still, very much, in existence.”
Radio One owns and/or operates 53 radio stations located in 16 urban markets in the United States. Additionally, Radio One owns Magazine One, Inc. (d/b/a Giant Magazine) (www.giantmag.com<http://www.giantmag.com/#_blank>), interests in TV One, LLC (www.tvoneonline.com<http://www.tvoneonline.com/#_blank>), a cable/satellite network programming primarily to African-Americans and Reach Media, Inc. (www.blackamericaweb.com<http://www.blackamericaweb.com/#_blank>), owner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show and other businesses associated with Tom Joyner.
Since 2001, the Lawyers’ Committee has worked with the NBA to recognize those leaders who grant a voice to the unheard and open a pathway towards expanded civil rights. Cathy Hughes’ extraordinary work has helped empower the Black community, and her stellar achievements and contributions warrant her to join previous Distinguished Civil Rights Advocate Award honorees such as the Honorable Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Honorable Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Bernette Johnson, CNN, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, Honorable U.S. District Court Judge Thelton E. Henderson and former Chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission Mary Frances Berry.
About the Lawyers’ Committee
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and fair lending, community development, employment, voting, education and environmental justice. For more information about the LCCRUL, visit http://www.lawyerscommittee.org<http://www.lawyerscommittee.org/>.
###
