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Mayor Bowser Presents Cathy Hughes with the Key to the City

July 16, 2026

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser honored broadcasting pioneer Cathy Hughes with the Key to the City during a ceremony at Sycamore & Oak in Southeast Washington. Hughes, who purchased her first radio station in D.C. in 1980, built Urban One into the nation's largest Black-owned multimedia company and became the first Black woman to chair a publicly traded corporation in America. The celebration took place during a special Majic Wednesdays event and included performances by local groups like the Junkyard Band, highlighting the city's go-go music culture.

Who is affected

  • Cathy Hughes (recipient of the Key to the City)
  • Mayor Muriel Bowser (presenter)
  • Urban One Chief Executive Officer Alfred C. Liggins
  • TV One President Michelle Rice
  • Cora Masters Barry (philanthropist and former D.C. first lady)
  • LaToya Foster (Director of DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment)
  • City officials, media executives, community leaders, and longtime supporters who attended
  • The District Kings and Junkyard Band (performers)
  • The broader Washington D.C. community

What action is being taken

  • Mayor Muriel Bowser is presenting the Key to the City to Cathy Hughes during the ceremony. The city is celebrating 50 years of go-go music culture as part of this event.

Why it matters

  • This recognition matters because it honors a transformative figure in American media who broke significant barriers as the first Black woman to chair a publicly traded corporation and built the nation's largest Black-owned multimedia company. Hughes's success demonstrates the impact of Black entrepreneurship and media representation, while her commitment to Washington D.C. over four decades shows sustained investment in the local community. The honor also connects to broader themes of Black cultural contributions, including go-go music heritage, and acknowledges how Hughes created opportunities, jobs, and platforms for Black voices in media.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer

Mayor Bowser Presents Cathy Hughes with the Key to the City