It is with heavy hearts and treasured reflections that we announce the transition of the beloved Hoyett W. Owens Jr. who passed from time to eternity on Friday, September 5, 2025, after an extended illness.
Hoyett was a true “Renaissance man” – highly knowledgeable with expertise in a wide range of fields. His media experience included special projects and events management for CBS-owned and operated TV stations— Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and The Learning Channel. He was the general manager of Chicago’s AM radio station, WVON, where he was responsible for its format conversion from music to talk radio. He was the founder and Chairman of I Like It Communications where he served as music director for the nationally syndicated television show “Blues Going On.”
His company managed and produced the Quaker Oats Voices of Tomorrow and the Wrigley Gospel Choir Competition, where the Gospel music career of Tye Tribbett was launched. He was founder and Chairman of All Printing and Graphics, the largest African American printing company of its time.
Notwithstanding more than 40 distinguished years of experience in television and radio, he was most proud of the critical role he and his agency Owens Morris Communications played in the 2004 launch of TV One, a digital cable and satellite television network whose programming targets African American adults with a broad mix of original lifestyle and entertainment-oriented series, documentaries, movies, concert performances, and sitcom reruns. With Hoyett at the helm, Owens Morris Communications became the agency of record—responsible for distribution, marketing and advertising, programming, and special events management.
“Hoyett Owens was of critical assistance to our company in the early formative years of our first cable network, TV One,” said Cathy Hughes, Urban One Founder and Chairperson. “Although marketing was the priority of his contract Hoyett was always available and able to assist wherever and whenever needed. I thank GOD for placing him in our lives and we are eternally grateful for the blessing of having his knowledge, strategy and work on our behalf.”
Not one to rest on his laurel, in 2012 he launched Faith-Based Communications, a full-service marketing communications agency and events management company for the African American faith-based market, with McDonald’s corporation entrusting them to manage and produce the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour for eight years.
He maintained dual residency in Chicago and his hometown of Jackson, Miss. for 40 years before deciding to reside solely in Jackson. He was preceded in death by the lifelong love of his life, Betty Jo Owens in November 2020.
“If there was one word to describe how those who loved Hoyett are now feeling,” said friend Jerry Mannery, “That word would be “Bitter-Sweet: the blending of two opposite elements into one. It’s bitter because Hoyett is now absent from us, but it’s sweet because he is now with the Lord.”
Hoyett Owens summed his life by adding, “I’m a very confident man who loves God, and I am passionate about gospel music and entertainment. I’m truly doing what I’ve been placed on this earth to do.”
Arrangements:
Homegoing Services:
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 12:00PM
New Horizon Church International,1750 Bobby Rush Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39204
The service will be streamed live on YouTube.