The Urban One Podcast Network Announces Significant Growth

The network, spearheaded by podcast executive Dre Smith, has experienced triple-digit percent growth in downloads and listenership and includes the signing of other top podcasts, such as Dear Future Wifey featuring Laterras R. Whitfield and The Fun House, featuring Hip Hop Legends Kid N' Play

Urban One, the largest Black-owned and Black-targeted diversified media company, announced today that the Urban One Podcast Network has achieved an impressive growth of 381% in downloads and 313% in unique listeners since its launch less than two years ago. Additionally, the network has formed an exclusive partnership with , a prominent self-improvement and education podcast. Since its inception in February of this year, Mick Unplugged has consistently ranked highly on the Apple Podcast charts, reaching as high as #1 in the Self-Improvement category, #3 in Education, and #54 overall across all podcasts on the Apple Podcast Charts.

As part of this collaboration, the Urban One Podcast Network will exclusively distribute multiple weekly episodes of Mick Unplugged and provide promotional content across Urban One's audio platforms, including Reach Media and Radio One. The network will also exclusively manage all sales and sponsorships, which encompass a diverse range of opportunities.

"Joining the Urban One Podcast Network is an honor that speaks to both the legacy of leadership and the power of voice. Urban One has set the gold standard in media for amplifying diverse stories, and I'm thrilled to be a part of a network that represents strength, authenticity, and cultural impact," lauded Mick Hunt, host of Mick Unplugged. "For me, this partnership is about more than just content – it's about carrying forward a tradition of excellence and purpose-driven conversation. Together, we're empowering the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers."

The Urban One Podcast Network is led by podcast executive Dre Smith, who has become a staple name in the podcast industry as founder and CEO of Relationship Restored. Smith has led teams to market and produced critically acclaimed podcasts that have earned notable recognitions, such as Spotify's best new podcast award in 2021 and have reached top 15 podcast status on Apple podcasts. 

"I couldn't be more excited to be leading the Urban One Podcast Network and expanding its portfolio with a variety of titles that directly engage, entertain and relate to Black America," said Dre Smith. "Our recent signings and new original podcasts mark a huge step forward for our growth and showcase our vibrant culture. It's also a privilege to partner with some of the most talented content creators in the game. We look forward to seeing all our shows thrive under the Urban One Podcast Network umbrella and to seeing the incredible opportunities our portfolio will bring."

Other recent signings to the Urban One Podcast Network include:

• Dear Future Wifey, hosted by Laterras R. Whitfield, is a 2x Telly Award winning podcast that has ranked as a Top 10 relationship podcast
• The Fun House with Hip-Hop legends Kid N' Play ranks in the Top 100 Music Charts
• She Said It First, hosted by comedian and actress Lynee' Monee and entertainer Jerrilyn Lake, also known as "IndesKribeaBULL," is in the Top 200 Comedy Charts
• Small Doses with Amanda Seales joined Urban One in 2023 and is a top 20 Self-Improvement Podcast
• Boyz N The Barn is a new sports podcast hosted by NFL Superbowl Champion Vernon Davis.

The Urban One Podcast Network consists of original and partnership podcasts across a variety of genres such as The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, The Morning Hustle, I Hate They Homies, The DL Hughley Show, Fatal Attraction, Listen to Black Women, SZN Opener and many others. To see the complete portfolio and to learn more about the Urban One Podcast Network, visit theurbanonepodcastnetwork.com.

About Urban One, Inc.
Urban One, Inc. (urban1.com), together with its subsidiaries, is the largest diversified media company that primarily targets Black Americans and urban consumers in the United States. The Company owns TV One, LLC (tvone.tv), a television network serving more than 46 million households, and CLEO TV, its sister network with an almost 41 million household reach. As of October 14, 2024, we owned and/or operated 72 independently formatted, revenue producing broadcast stations (including 57 FM or AM stations, 13 HD stations, and the 2 low power television stations we operate), located in 13 of the most populous African-American markets in the United States. Through its controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (blackamericaweb.com), the Company also operates syndicated programming, including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, and the DL Hughley Show. In addition to its radio and television broadcast assets, Urban One owns iOne Digital (ionedigital.com), our wholly-owned digital platform serving the African American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius, Bossip, HipHopWired, and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands.

Black and Latino Healthcare Technology Leaders Endorse Kamala Harris for President

In an open letter, more than two dozen Black and Latino healthcare technology leaders across the country endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President.

In their endorsement, the leaders noted that "throughout her career, Kamala Harris has shown a deep understanding of the structural barriers that communities of color face in healthcare. She has championed policies that expand digital access, support minority entrepreneurs, and prioritize community-driven solutions. Her vision for health equity aligns closely with our own: a future where technology is harnessed to empower, not exclude."

Organized by healthcare technology entrepreneurs Abner Mason, Daniel Turner-Lloveras, MD, and Kevin Dedner, the group includes founders, investors, technologists, engineers, senior executives, and providers spanning digital health, artificial intelligence, healthcare delivery, and life sciences.

"We understand the needs of the communities we come from and serve, and we have no doubt Kamala Harris is the leader our country needs to help us build a better healthcare future," said Abner Mason, founder and CEO of SameSkyHealth (acquired by GroundGameHealth). "We invite healthcare leaders of all backgrounds to join us in rallying behind Kamala Harris, for the benefit of the people we all have dedicated our lives to serving."

In their endorsement, the leaders noted the need to increase diverse representation in healthcare technology leadership, bridge the digital divide in health, increase investment in diverse entrepreneurs and innovators, and prevent algorithmic bias in healthcare.

"Harris shares our vision: Health equity isn't just a goal, it's the foundation. True innovation demands diversity in both ideas and leadership. We must shift our perspective: Our communities aren't hard to reach, they're hardly reached. We're not just diagnosing problems; we're architecting solutions by empowering communities to engage in their own health research. By investing in innovation through diversity, dismantling digital divides, and safeguarding against algorithmic bias, we're building a healthcare system that doesn't just serve all Americans, it empowers them," said Daniel Turner-Lloveras, MD, Co-Founder and CEO of The Latino Health Innovation Alliance | SaludConTech.*

"Vice President Harris understands when we encourage and direct capital to diverse entrepreneurs and innovators, the entire healthcare system benefits," said Kevin Dedner, health-tech entrepreneur and author of The Joy of the Disinherited.

These healthcare technology leaders hope their public endorsement will encourage others in healthcare technology to "Do Something" to help elect Vice President Harris as the next President of the U.S.

Read the full endorsement here.

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Above the Fold with Jemele Hill debuting Oct. 22 on truTV

TNT Sports and UNINTERRUPTED  announced a partnership to develop a new show that will be part of the TNT Sports on truTV programming lineup beginning later this week. The weekly show – featuring acclaimed journalist Jemele Hill – will delve into important stories and topics centered on the connection between sports and culture. 

The weekly sports magazine series, Above the Fold with Jemele Hill – debuting Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m. ET on truTV will deliver a comprehensive and engaging exploration of diverse stories inside the sports world. The 60-minute show will feature Hill and a rotating lineup of correspondents who will discuss and debate the latest news surrounding some of the biggest and most relevant sports stories of the week.  

Hill has previously appeared as a guest correspondent on TNT Sports’ The Arena, the in-depth storytelling franchise that offered thoughtful discussion centered on events taking place on and off the court during the 2020-2021 NBA season. 

“I’m very excited to be working with TNT Sports and UNINTERRUPTED on a project that centers sports journalism and compelling storytelling, said Hill. “The sports media landscape is constantly evolving, but there is always room for nuance, depth and perspective.”

Following the debut of Above the Fold, the series will air each Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m. on truTV.