Media mogul Doug Banks builds on his brand

Doug Banks

Doug Banks

Urban radio superstar Doug Banks is more than Chicago’s top-rated afternoon personality and a veteran TV host. Now he’s a media mogul, too.

Through his Doug Banks Media Group, he’s about to produce and distribute a nationally syndicated motivational radio show, hosted by Donald Lawrence, the Grammy Award-winning producer and recording artist from Chicago.

Calling Lawrence “a very talented and well-respected gospel music industry icon,” Banks said he expects “Music Therapy with Donald Lawrence” to air on iHeartMedia inspirational WGRB AM 1390 here and stations across the country, staring in January.

It’s the first offering from the Dallas-based company Banks formed in 2013 to build on his personal brand and develop new talent and content for radio, satellite, digital, television and live events. He continues to host his own syndicated afternoon show for American Urban Radio Networks, which airs on iHeartMedia urban adult-contemporary WVAZ FM 102.7.

Donald Lawrence

Donald Lawrence

Lawrence, who began his career as a music director for R&B legend Stephanie Mills and vocal coach for En Vogue, launched a solo career as a gospel singer in 2004. As a producer, he has collaborated with R&B artists Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway, Kelly Price and SWV’s Coko, and produced gospel hits for Hezekiah Walker and The Clark Sisters (whose album “Live . . . One Last Time” won three Grammy Awards in 2008).

“Music Therapy with Donald Lawrence” will feature a mix of inspirational music along with audience call-ins, motivational messages and “daily words of wisdom to help listeners live their best life,” according to Lawrence.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” he said in a statement. “I’ve always been committed to using music as therapy to inspire and encourage as well as to entertain, and that’s what Doug Banks Media recruited me to do with this show.”