Kashon Powell Named VP/Prog., iHeart Chicago
• iHeartMedia Chicago welcomes industry vet Kashon Powell as Vice President of Programming. Effective August 18, she will take over programming duties for Urban 107.5 WGCI, Urban AC WVAZ (V103), Urban Gospel WGRB-AM (Inspiration 1390) and Black Information Network affiliate WMFN-AM (BIN 640). She succeeds Derrick Brown, who exited earlier this week.
Upon her arrival, Powell will report to James Howard, SVP Programming, who remarked, “Kashon has an exceptional track record of success, consistently driving results and inspiring teams. We are thrilled to welcome her to our Chicago team where her expertise will help strengthen the connection with our listeners.”
Kashon Powell is a trailblazing media executive with over 30 years of industry leadership, starting at KBXX (The Box)/Houston, and later becoming the first woman to serve as Vice President of Programming during her decade of service at Urban One. During that time she also served as OM of Urban One’s DC/Baltimore group, PD of WMMJ/Washington and produced Urban One Honors.
The new gig marks a return to iHeartMedia for Powell, who earlier in her career served as APD/MD of WUSL (Power 99) and WDAS/Philadelphia, and later elevated to Director of Urban Programming for iHeart Norfolk and Richmond. [Ed. note: we had the privilege of working with Kashon in 2002 in her capacity as Urban Editor of R&R]
“I am excited to return to iHeartMedia to lead these legendary brands and contribute to the legacy of such iconic radio stations,” said Powell. “A huge thank you to James Howard, Thea Mitchem, Brad Hardin, and Doc Wynter for this incredible opportunity.”
