Urban One’s Radio One and Reach Media Raise $1.7M for St. Jude in Annual Radiothon
Event summary
- Radio One and Reach Media, divisions of Urban One, raised $1.7 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the annual Urban Cares for St. Jude Kids® broadcast on March 12–13, 2026.
- The event involved 25 stations and 7 nationally syndicated shows, including first-time participation from Radio One’s Urban AC stations.
- Listeners were encouraged to become Partners in Hope with monthly pledges, supported by appearances from artists and faith leaders.
- Since 2008, Radio One’s partnership has helped ensure families never receive bills from St. Jude for treatment-related expenses.
The big picture
Urban One’s long-standing partnership with St. Jude underscores the strategic value of media-driven fundraising in healthcare. The event highlights the growing trend of cross-industry collaborations to support non-profit missions, leveraging broad audience reach to drive philanthropic impact. The $1.7 million raised reflects the power of targeted, emotionally resonant campaigns in engaging diverse urban music audiences.
What we're watching
- Sustainability of Engagement
- Whether Urban One can maintain listener engagement and fundraising momentum in future events.
- Expansion Strategy
- How the inclusion of Urban AC stations may impact the reach and effectiveness of future broadcasts.
- Artist and Celebrity Involvement
- The role of high-profile participants in driving donations and awareness for St. Jude.