Karen Slade

Entering her thirtieth year as Vice President/General Manager of KJLH, Karen is responsible for ensuring the station’s Broadcast Operations adhere to Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules and regulations. Karen and her team are meeting the business challenges of the largest advertising revenue market with aggressive revenue targets through effective sales strategies and focused program offerings.   

During her tenure, Karen has increased the station’s viability by doubling the effective radiating power from 2.25 watts to 5.6 watts, thus enhancing the station’s reach and market penetration. Karen began by putting procedural infrastructure in place across departments from HR employment policy through automation of the audio music selection and commercial traffic systems, selecting and updating account management software to current accounting systems that provide integrated solutions to an evolving broadcast business operation.

Ms. Slade is open to new and innovative ways to build on the existing heritage KJLH Brand. Under current leadership the KJLH management team uses a multiplatform approach to create exciting, results-driven marketing campaigns for clients -- enhancing the interactive listener experience through multimedia and social efforts, while building additional revenue streams for the company. The common thread inherent in all of these efforts is the stations’ mission of community outreach and involvement.

As VP/GM, Karen has been recognized by Radio Ink as one of the Most Influential African Americans in Radio, she has received many awards, including the distinguished George Foster Peabody Award for significant and meritorious achievement and the NAACP Image Award for Humanitarian broadcast efforts.

A marketing professional, she has held a variety of sales leadership and management positions with Xerox Corporation. Karen was the Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast region of the United States, Senior Consultant for Customer and Marketing Education, Dealer Sales Manager, Project Manager, and held various field marketing and sales positions.

Karen is an active board member of NABOB (National Association Of Black Owned Broadcasters) representing the Western United States. Karen has previously served on the advisory council of MOSTE (Mentoring Our Students Through Experience), and was formerly a board member of the Los Angeles Urban under John W. Mack’s tenure.

Karen received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Kent State University in Telecommunications and a Master’s in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Karen‘s professional development includes completion of the National Association of Broadcasters Executive Broadcast Leadership Program.