The publication puts out an annual list of 500 distinguished leaders from nominations it receives. Richey was honored as one of Atlanta’s top media professionals, alongside the President and CEO of Georgia Public Broadcasting , Teya Ryan and Editor of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Kevin Riley. Other notables include Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.
Dr. Richey’s media experience is vast. In addition to his visionary role at Rolling Out Magazine, which has a national millennial readership of 2.2 million and combined social media following of roughly 500,000, he also hosts The Rashad Richey Morning Show on News & Talk 1380-WAOK and is Atlanta’s favorite talk news radio host, according to a 2019 poll by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Richey is an Emmy-nominated political analyst for CBS46 News and Peachtree TV in Atlanta, the social and political commentator on V-103FM, the nation’s largest urban radio station and a regular political commentator with national media outlets, MSNBC and FOX News.
Just this week, Richey was the first political analyst on live television to call Georgia’s senate runoff races for both Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock.
“I’m humbled and thankful to Atlanta Magazine for this recognition alongside so many amazing industry leaders. While it’s an honor to be recognized for doing something you love, helping others with the platform God has granted you is the ultimate goal,” Richey said.
Betsy Riley, editor of Atlanta Magazine, said it’s easy to assemble lists like this if all you do is grab the names highest on the organization charts of the city’s largest companies. “But, especially this year, we went looking for other types of superlatives too,” Riley said. “Atlantans who are the most creative visionaries, who inspire others, who take initiative and propel an organization or a cause forward.”
Before his social and political expertise propelled him into a highly-successful and influential media career, Richey was political director and chief strategist for the Democratic Party of Georgia. He’s received numerous awards and recognition for his excellence in broadcasting and community leadership including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.
“I had a tough life growing up,” Richey said when asked by Atlanta Magazine why he does the work he does. “Despair, poverty and a general lack of access surrounded the communities I lived in. Today I seek to transform the narrative of those same communities through education, mentorship, civic engagement and economic empowerment.”
Richey told the magazine the best advice he’s ever received is don’t allow your past to limit your future.
And in case you’re wondering, his hidden talent is playing piano… by ear.
Dr. Rashad Richey holds two earned doctorate degrees; Doctorate of Education from Clark Atlanta University and a PhD from Scofield Graduate School and Theological Seminary. He’s a professor at Beulah Heights University, where he also finished his Masters in Business Administration and guest lectures at various colleges including Morehouse School of Medicine. He sits on the board for Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and is currently pursuing a law degree at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
Karen Araiza’s award-winning work as a journalist includes a National Emmy for work on struggles facing law enforcement and a National Murrow Award for documentary and storytelling on the opioid crisis.