Politics / Press & broadcasting / Religion
JoAnn Watson
1951–2023 · activist, radio host, pastor, city councilwoman
Detroit-born activist, talk radio host and pastor who served ten years on the Detroit City Council (2003–2013) as an outspoken voice against the state takeover of the city.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
aged 72- Birth name
- JoAnn Nichols
- Detroit years
- 1951–2023
- Field
- Politics, Press & broadcasting, Religion
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
JoAnn Watson was born and raised in Detroit, the daughter of a minister, and graduated from Central High School in 1968 before earning a journalism degree at the University of Michigan. She began her public career as executive director of the downtown Detroit YWCA and went on to lead national civil rights groups, including the National Anti-Klan Network and the Center for Democratic Renewal, and to found the National Association of Black Talk Show Hosts. She taught at Wayne County Community College and hosted programs on WFDF 910 AM and local cable. In 2003 she won a special election to fill the City Council seat left vacant by the death of Brenda Scott, was re-elected and served as council president pro tem. On the council she became a fierce critic of emergency management and the 2013 bankruptcy, arguing that they stripped Detroiters of democratic control. She was also an associate pastor of West Side Unity Church. She died in 2023, aged 72.
Highlights
- Detroit City Council member, 2003–2013, including as president pro tem
- Executive director of the downtown Detroit YWCA
- Founding president of the National Association of Black Talk Show Hosts
- Radio host on WFDF 910 AM
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · 1964–1968
Central High School
She graduated from Detroit's oldest public high school in 1968.
Worked here · 2003–2013
The Spirit of Detroit
Seat of the City Council, where she served for ten years.