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Commissioner Teola P. Hunter

Teola P. Hunter is a native Detroiter, a mother, grandmother, business woman and highly respected political leader in Wayne County. She attended Detroit Public Schools; received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Detroit, and a Masters degree in Education from Wayne State University. Ms. Hunter taught in the Detroit Public School System for 14 years. In 1989, she was elected by her colleagues in the legislature to the leadership position of Speaker Pro Tempore. She was the first female to hold this position in Michigan, and was re-elected to this role until she resigned from the House of Representatives in January, 1992. Following her resignation from the State House, Ms. Hunter was appointed to the position of Deputy Director for Health and Community Services by Wayne County Executive, Edward H. McNamara, responsible for overseeing Mental Health Services, the Patient Care Management System, Youth Programs, Co-op Extension, and the Child Care Fund.

In 1992, Ms. Hunter was elected to the Office of Wayne County Clerk. She was the first female to hold this position in Wayne County, and she was re-elected in 1996. In 1997, she became the first African American to run as the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor for the State of Michigan. In June, 2001, Ms. Hunter was appointed to the position of Interim Executive Director of the Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF), responsible for day-to-day leadership and governance of the CAYF office and operation, including ensuring compliance with governing agencies and implementing policy as directed by the Board of Trustees.

Teola P. Hunter has had the opportunity to tour several countries. In 1982, she visited the Soviet Union as a concerned citizen of peace. In 1985, she attended the Decade of Women's Conference in Nairobi, Kenya and the Organization of Black Elected Legislators (NOBEL) Women's Conference in Bermuda. In January, 1990, Ms. Hunter was one of several legislators invited to visit Israel by the Jewish Community Council to attain a better perspective on Mid-East developments.

Teola Hunter's civic, political, social, religious, and business involvements are extensive and diverse. Ms. Hunter is a faithful member of Mayflower Congregation United Church of Christ and a dedicated member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Currently, she serves as a board member and general member to several business, civic and professional organizations. Most importantly, she continues to focus on higher education. She was a member of the Commission on the future of the University of Detroit Mercy, concentrating on the College of Business Administration Task Force. She devotes time as a charter member of the Advisory Board of Michigan State University's Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP). This program is a non-partisan political project that identifies men and women of diverse backgrounds who have leadership potential and brings them together in an educational program designed to provide a solid foundation in practical politics, public policy analysis, personal leadership development and governance. Ms. Hunter describes herself as a public servant. She continues to demonstrate this commitment by serving on various not-for-profit boards of directors, including Don Bosco Hall, City Connect Detroit, College Board Kids Learning Center, Lewis College of Business, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (Women's Committee), and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Board of Directors.

e-mail: TPHunter@2009dcrc.org

link to source: 2009dcrc.org/CommissionerHunter

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