Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO of A Wonder Media Company and the parent company of American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), was honored with the President’s Award at the 2025 National Action Network (NAN) Triumph Awards on October 6. The prestigious event, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall, recognized her significant role in amplifying Black voices in media.
Reflecting on the honor, Maddox-Dorsey acknowledged the legacy of the company’s founders—Sid Small, Eugene Jackson, and Roy Wood Sr. She emphasized that their vision to compete with well-funded radio networks that had long underserved the Black community was the driving force behind AURN’s success. “This humbling recognition is not just about me but the legacy of our visionary founders,” she said. “Our company’s bold founders believed that the story of Black people fighting for justice and equity was at least as compelling as a concert in Woodstock, NY.”
Under Maddox-Dorsey’s leadership, A Wonder Media has grown into a multi-platform media powerhouse. Since taking the helm in 2018, she expanded AURN into a national radio network reaching 47 million weekly listeners. The company has also branched out into podcasting, digital advertising, and even launched a streaming channel, “Amplified Voices,” dedicated to highlighting diverse voices in media.
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Maddox-Dorsey’s achievements were celebrated alongside notable figures such as 13-time Grammy Award-winning singer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, MSNBC’s Ari Melber, and legendary Broadway star Stephanie Mills. The Triumph Awards, hosted by NAN founder Rev. Al Sharpton, honor individuals across various fields whose leadership promotes justice, aligning with the mission to continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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