Maddox-Dorsey Named to 2025 Power 50 Women of Influence

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, March 17, 2025 | 10:29am CT

Chesley Maddox-Dorsey

Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO of the largest Black- and woman-owned radio network in the U.S., has been honored as one of the 2025 U.S. Black Chambers Power 50 Women of Influence. Joining Maddox-Dorsey in this class are entertainment luminaries like Tracee Ellis-Ross and Tia Mowry, as well as corporate leaders such as Lela Coffey from Procter & Gamble and Brianne Bowles-Marshal of General Motors.

As CEO of A Wonder Media Company, Maddox-Dorsey oversees over 8,000 radio affiliates through its entities, American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) and Superadio. Her inclusion in the list coincides with Women's History Month, during which she shared insights from her trailblazing career in media and finance.

"I'm very pleased to be among this distinguished group of visionary leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers who drive impactful change across industries and communities. However, before getting here, I had to learn my own definition of success," Maddox-Dorsey remarked. Her media career began in banking, focusing on lending to media companies, which laid the groundwork for her future endeavors.

Maddox-Dorsey's journey through the media landscape includes significant milestones like leading the syndicate to finance the acquisition of KJOI-FM in Los Angeles and her role at Blackstar Communications. Her move into media was solidified when recruited by Sydney Small in 2000 to transform Unity Broadcasting Company, eventually leading to her current leadership role at A Wonder Media Company, which she founded in 2018.

"The chance to lead a buyout of two well-known but neglected B2B brands was irresistible," Maddox-Dorsey explained. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, her leadership has seen significant growth in the company's reach and influence, particularly among the African American community.

USBC President & CEO Ron Busby Sr. praised the 2025 class, saying, "We are thrilled to celebrate their extraordinary achievements and invite the public to join us in honoring these dynamic women." The U.S. Black Chambers will officially celebrate its honorees on March 27, 2025. Further details and a full line-up of the 2025 honorees can be found at www.usbcwomenofpower.com.

Outside of her professional achievements, Maddox-Dorsey is actively involved in various causes, supporting children's initiatives, women-focused organizations, and serving on the board of trustees at Oberlin College. Her advice to young leaders is clear: "Be a collector of talent as you build your team and village," emphasizing the importance of intentional leadership and alignment of personal values with professional goals.