Leadership
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American Urban Radio Networks… from Dreams to Reality!
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But finding the right name was only part of the challenge confronting American Urban Radio Networks. The ability to keep sight of its mission and its purpose -- to, as Davenport says, “be more than a jukebox”-- has been the true test of the network's commitment to its audience. "The purpose of radio is to entertain and inform," says Davenport, "to provide community information, to, in a broad sense, uplift people by giving them things that may entertain them but, more importantly, that may inform them of social issues. When black radio, on a national basis, came into being, its raison d'etre was to be an instantaneous source of news about what's going on, on a national basis, in our community. There were no other outlets that covered our community as clearly and as quickly and as broadly as national radio could do. There was no CNN; there was no coverage of the African-American community on a national basis by anyone. You had your weekly outlets like Jet and your monthly Ebony - certainly fine vehicles -- but there was no instantaneous source of news if something major happened."

Black radio has always been a reliable source and companion within the black community. And, thanks to American Urban Radio Networks and its hundreds of affiliates, black families, business people, educators and the like can still connect with their community through the speakers of their radios. Having a broadcast license is an obligation to the community. The words on the license say 'to serve the interests of the community.' It doesn't say to play the best records in the world.

With nearly 40 years of serving the community, American Urban Radio Networks has managed to stay current and cutting edge, tailoring its programming to suit its ever evolving audience. Jerry Lopes, President of Program Operations and Affiliations says American Urban Radio Networks is in a constant state of growth and expansion. "I think the people that we serve determine how well we are doing our jobs here. National Black Network and Sheridan Broadcasting Network really were created to serve the under-served information needs of African-Americans and both networks independently and now collectively are doing so by providing a myriad of programs that address the informational needs of the people that we serve. So they determine the success of our network company and they essentially determine what information and what priorities programmatically we'll focus on."

Lopes says American Urban Radio Networks vigilance when it comes to serving its target audience never flickers. The company's consistency and reliability have been the hallmark of its existence. "We're serving the black community," he says proudly. "We never waver. There have been many who have come after us, but to this day no one has done it better than American Urban Radio Networks....”

“I think today more than ever we are fragmented in terms of radio formats. And here is a vehicle like American Urban Radio Networks that has consistently delivered. You will find us on radio stations all across the country and people can count on us for information. This is sort of like the drum. This is where people come to get information."

Of all the programs it offers, American Urban Radio Networks is most proud of its news. "Our news, I think today, is just as important as it was in 1972," says Lopes. "Although, I will say, that certainly today there are a number of different kinds of vehicles by which people can receive information - from the Internet to other competing entities out there that are trying to compete for the African-American audience. But the information that we provide is specifically focused on pertinent information as it relates to the African-American community."

With the emergence of every major news story, American Urban Radio Networks has been there for its audience: in Washington, D.C., on the front lines of Any City, USA, in the trenches of society uncovering and reporting the news and events that shape our lives and our opinions about the world in which we live. American Urban Radio Networks' commitment includes embracing the rich culture of African-American people and catering to their passions and interests from the concert halls to the gridiron. "Our people are always in need of information specifically as it pertains to them," says Lopes. "We hunger for it and I think that as we go forward, that's what we do, we create new programming to address the ever changing needs of the people we serve.

As renowned and respected leaders in the African-American community and in the broadcast world at large, American Urban Radio Networks and its staff have been more than just objective bystanders reporting on events. They have been fire-starters, initiators and co-signers of activities and movements that have been and continue to be beneficial to the members of their audience. From HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, to getting out the vote projects, to informing listeners about the census, American Urban Radio Networks has been an active voice resonating throughout the African-American community. From 100 Black Men of America to the National Council of Negro Women, American Urban Radio Networks has been a reliable and steadfast partner to those seeking to improve the lot of black Americans in particular and all Americans as a whole. Says Lopes, "As I reflect on the past three decades, American Urban Radio Networks, Sheridan Broadcasting Network and National Black Network have played a significant role and our work is not done. There is much to be done, but we're up for the challenge."

American Urban Radio Networks is definitely up for the challenge and meeting the challenge. With broad based programming airing on over 300 affiliate stations, American Urban Radio Networks reaches millions of African-Americans each day. American Urban Radio Networks is the only African-American-owned and controlled news broadcasting organization in this country that has electronic capability to reach out to and cover 93% of the United States' black population.

Today's American Urban Radio Networks is a far cry from its beginnings, but still connected to the vision of those starry-eyed dreamers of years past who foresaw a network that effectively serves the African-American community. But the dream has not been exhausted. "I have a relatively minor ambition," says Davenport, "which is to be the largest vehicle reaching black people in the English-speaking world. I think we're in the process of doing that."

AURN continues to be a constant in an ever-changing radio industry, an ever-changing world. American Urban Radio Networks' name is known and continues to be respected. The light that started as a twinkle in someone's eye, a flicker of hope in someone's heart is today a beacon in the African-American community, guiding, leading, lighting the way for generation after generation; carrying its brightly lit torch into the future with fervor and commitment and an unwavering sense of purpose, dignity and integrity.