JoAnn Watson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Honorable JoAnn Watson
Watson in 2019
Member of the Detroit City Council from the At-Large District
In office 2003–2013
Preceded by	Brenda Scott
Succeeded by	Raquel Castañeda-López
Personal details
Born	(1951-04-19)April 19, 1951 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	July 10, 2023(2023-07-10) (aged 72)
Political party	Democratic
Children	Damon, Nefertari, Stephen B., Maya
Parents	Jefferson Nichols, Sr. and Rev. Lestine Kent Nichols
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	Civil rights/social justice activist; Radio & TV talk show host; Minister; Professor

JoAnn Watson (April 19, 1951 – July 10, 2023) was an American pastor, media personality and was a Detroit city councilor for ten years. She was an on-air personality for 910 AM Superstation/WFDF and Comcast Channel 91 WHPR as the host of Wake Up Detroit. Watson also appeared as an on-air television personality for The Word Network as the host of Wake Up World.

Watson was an associate professor at Wayne County Community College, where she taught English. Watson also served as the Associate Pastor of West Side Unity Church and was a faculty member at the Unity Urban Ministerial School.

Early life and education

JoAnn Watson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was the daughter of Jefferson Nichols Sr. and Rev. Lestine Kent Nichols.

A 1968 graduate of Detroit Central High School, Watson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Michigan, who has recognized her as a "Distinguished Alumnus". In 1996, the University of Michigan also awarded Watson the "Leonard F. Sain Esteemed Alumni Award". Watson also was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humanities.

Community activism

Watson began her career in public service as the executive director of the Downtown Detroit YWCA. She would eventually rise to the position of assistant executive director of the National YWCA. From 1987 to 1990, she worked the New York headquarters, where her responsibilities included directing the Office of Racial Justice.

In 1989, Watson was selected as a delegate to the Women for Meaningful Summits/USA, which was held in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Watson would go on to serve as the executive director of the Detroit NAACP, the nation's largest NAACP branch. Watson is the only woman to ever serve in this role.

In 2001, Watson was selected to serve as a delegate to the UN World Conference Against Racism, which was held in Durban, South Africa.

In 2016, Watson was chosen by American Girl as one member of its six-member advisory board. The board's responsibility was to ensure the historical accuracy and cultural authenticity of Melody—a doll that depicts a 9-year old African American girl growing up in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Watson was the founding President of the National Association of Black Talk Show Hosts; was a consultant to Pathways to College; was a member of the Detroit Council of Elders; was a member of the National Black Council of Elders. and served as President of the National Anti-Klan Network and as President of the Center for Democratic Renewal.

Published writings

Watson was a contributing author to "Should America Pay?", Dr. Raymond Winbush's 2003 publication on reparations, and wrote the foreword to Herb Boyd's 2017 book, Black Detroit: A People's History of Self Determination.

Political career

Prior to her service as a member of the city council, Watson served as public liaison for Congressman John Conyers.

In 2003, Watson filed to run in a Special Election called to fill a vacancy on the Detroit City Council, which was created when Councilwoman Brenda Scott died on September 2, 2002. That February, Dick Gregory headlined Watson's first political fundraiser. On April 29, 2003, Watson won the Special Election 52% to 48%, defeating the highly favored Gil Hill, who was famous for playing the sharp-tongued police inspector in three Beverly Hills Cop movies.

Watson would subsequently win re-election to City Council and served as City Council President Pro Tem. During her tenure, Watson sponsored thousands of laws, including: laws that banned texting and talking while driving; a ban on smoking in public places; and the "Water Affordability Plan," which helped low-income citizens avoid water shut-offs. In 2009, The Nation Magazine recognized Watson as "the most valuable local elected official in the USA."

During Watson's tenure on City Council, her staff included future Michigan State Legislator Coleman Young II, who interned in her office.

In 2013, Watson announced her intention to retire. In December of that, a celebration of her career was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, where Dick Gregory again was the headliner.

Death

Watson died on July 10, 2023, at the age of 72.