JoAnn Watson

JoAnn Watson was born on April 19, 1951[4] and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was the daughter of Jefferson Nichols Sr. and Rev. Lestine Kent Nichols.[3]

After graduating from Detroit Central High School in 1968, Watson attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and was later recognized as a "Distinguished Alumnus".[4][3] In 1996, the University of Michigan also awarded Watson the "Leonard F. Sain Esteemed Alumni Award".[5] Watson also was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humanities.[3]

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.[6]

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.[3]

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.[7]

In 2001, Watson was selected to serve as a delegate to the UN World Conference Against Racism.[8]

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.[6]

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.[3] and served as President of the National Anti-Klan Network and as President of the Center for Democratic Renewal.[9]

Watson was a contributing author to "Should America Pay?", Dr. Raymond Winbush's 2003 publication on reparations,[10] and wrote the foreword to Herb Boyd's 2017 book, Black Detroit: A People's History of Self Determination.[11]

Prior to her service as a member of the city council, Watson served as public liaison for Congressman John Conyers.[9]

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.[12] That February, Dick Gregory headlined Watson's first political fundraiser.[13] 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.[13]

Watson would subsequently win re-election to City Council and served as City Council President Pro Tem.[7] 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.[3] In 2009, The Nation Magazine recognized Watson as "the most valuable local elected official in the USA."[3]

During Watson's tenure on City Council, her staff included future Michigan State Legislator Coleman Young II, who interned in her office.[14]

In 2013, Watson announced her intention to retire. In December of that year, a celebration of her career was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, where Dick Gregory again was the headliner.[13]

Watson died on July 10, 2023, at the age of 72.[4]