On April 25th, the 73rd Annual Advertising Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies & Gala Dinner was held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, attracting a notable assembly of industry figures. Prominent attendees included Ron Busby Sr., President & CEO of USBC, Jim Winston, President of NABOB, USBC Board Member Steve Roberts from Roberts Broadcasting, NABOB Board Advisor Chesley Maddox-Dorsey from AURN, Sherman Kizart of Kizart Media, and Howard Robertson from Spotset Radio Network, among other key NABOB members and Black media owners.
The event marked a significant moment for Black media advocacy and diversity, as these leaders gathered to support Hall of Fame inductee Marc Pritchard, the Chief Brand Officer at P&G, who has been a steadfast ally of NABOB and a proponent of diversity in media advertising.
The gala also celebrated Jerri DeVard, CEO & Founder of the Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA), an alliance designed to champion corporate diversity and help build the next generation of C-suite marketing executives, underscoring the critical role of Black narratives and representation in media.
Reflecting on the night, Ron Busby Sr., President & CEO of USBC and NABOB’s parent company, shared, “It was an honor to attend such a prestigious event alongside leaders from NABOB and other industry veterans. Our presence underscores the importance of diversity and representation in advertising and media, and we remain committed to advancing the interests of Black-owned media platforms.”
The event spotlighted NABOB’s recent integration into USBC Media, reinforcing its mission to champion Black-owned media and enhance Black storytelling. NABOB’s work is structured around three main pillars: Revenue Generation Advocacy, Government Relations Advocacy, and Media Education and Talent Development. It represents over 200 Black-owned media outlets across radio, television, and digital platforms, including significant representation in the top 10 U.S. media markets.
