The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Charlene Marie Mitchell-Rodgers Inducted 2024 - Class of 1967
Charlene Mitchell-Rodgers grew up near Stickney Avenue and Mulberry Street Robinson Junior High before attending Wood-ward High School. After graduation, Charlene attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bowling Green state University receiving a master’s degree. Charlene broke the color bar and the glass ceiling as the first woman of color to be hired as an on-air TV News Reporter in Toledo at the then CBS affiliate WTOL, Channel 11.
She had a successful 17-year career in Television News with on-air positions in Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston and Detroit. She received 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding News Reporting. These positions led her to teach broadcasting and run the student radio station at Southfield High School. While teaching and working on television she formed her own agency, Media Consultants. She represents a wide variety of clients, providing Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising services. She has operated the agency for 30 plus years.
In addition to her work, Ms. Mitchell served on the Board of Directors for The Ronald McDonald
of Detroit and AugMe International. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and The Women’s Informal Network and a Lifetime member of the NAACP. Charlene currently hosts two weekly radio talk shows on Detroit station 910 am. Her shows are: "Mind Your Business" every Thursday night 9-11pm and also "The Charlene Mitchell Show" airing every Friday morning 9-11am.
Where did you attend grade school and/or junior high school? Monroe Street Elementary, and Robison Junior High
In what neighborhood did you live while attending Woodward? Please describe it. Stickney Avenue adjacent from Mulberry Street
Who were your best friends while attending Woodward? Judy Leonard and Margaret McCoy
Describe an important and/or humorous thing that happened to you while you were at Woodward. I tried out for Cheerleading, But I Wasn’t picked because I couldn’t do a flips or cartwheels. I was very disappointed. The high points were being chosen for the debate and forensic teams. I excelled in both. I always liked to talk a lot, Thus leading to a life - long career of broadcasting.
Who were your favorite teachers at Woodward? Why? Mrs. Kellemier, my English teacher was my very favorite because she demanded a quiet classroom, she made English class interesting. She insisted on proper English and proper etiquette. She even taught us how to properly set a table and brought in Wedgwood China. It had nothing to do with English Class, but I certainly remember it.
Did any Woodward staff members have a profound effect on you? Who? In what way did they affect you? Can’t remember my Phys-Ed teacher’s name but she encouraged me to join the track team. I also did the low hurdles and boy did I hurt my leg. I was a girl who would try anything even if I wasn’t proficient at it.
Please share one of your favorite memories of Woodward. I loved attending the football and basketball games. The Friday pep Rallies were so much fun when we all dressed in school colors. The sock hops in the gym were crazy fun. We danced and danced until they turned the music off.
Are you married? Please tell us about your family members-- children, grandchildren, etc. I am divorced. I have one adult son and one grandson who is a senior in college. He’s a scholar athlete with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
What are your present hobbies? What do you do for fun? Before back injuries due to a car accident I loved playing tennis and was taking golf lessons. I now enjoy swimming and water aerobics. You can also find me in the kitchen whipping up great meals and watching HGTV, the Food Network, the History Channel and National Geographic. I do a lot of writing for my PR Marketing Agency, Media Consultants. I write TV and radio commercials for various clients including funeral homes, retail stores and restaurants.
How did you feel when you were informed of this honor? I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy. Simply elated. This honor will be right up there with my Emmy Awards.
While at Woodward, did you have any nicknames? What were they? What is the story behind them? No Nicknames