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Wednesday, January 4, 2006
January 3, 2006 – The newly elected members of the Detroit Board of Education tonight chose Rev. Dr. Jimmy Womack, a popular radio talk show host, ordained minister, physician and civic booster, as president.
Dr. Womack won in a two-way race that was held at the board’s maiden meeting. The meeting followed a festive installation ceremony at the auditorium of Cass Technical High School.
In another two-way race, members of the new board chose Board Member Joyce Hayes-Giles, a top executive at DTE Energy, as vice-president.
Mrs. Hayes-Giles is senior vice-president of customer service for DTE Energy. A lawyer, she is a member of the Detroit, Michigan and Wolverine bar associations. She is also active in the community and has served on boards of the Detroit Urban League and the Detroit Branch NAACP.
Dr. Womack is the host of the “Jimmy Womack Show,” a weekly hour-long program that is broadcast at 6 p.m. on Sundays on WGPR-FM 107.5. He is a member of the Plymouth United Church of Christ, where he serves as a trustee. He and his wife, Dr. Sophie Womack, are the founders of Coalition Inc. (Circle Of Hope) a non-profit organization focused on reducing domestic violence, illness and death among Detroit\\\'s children. The couple has two children, one of whom attends Mumford High School.
“I wish to congratulate Dr. Womack and Mrs. Hayes-Giles,” said Detroit Public Schools Superintendent William F. Coleman III. “I look forward to working with them in both their capacities as president and vice president and as board members. I am looking forward to working closely with all the other board members. I am impressed with the caliber of the members of this august body. I know that together we can help build brighter futures for the children of this city. This is a historic – and proud - moment for everyone who lives in this city. For the first time in years, residents can once again vote their own representatives onto the school board.”
About the Detroit Public Schools
The Detroit Public Schools, founded in 1842, is one of the nation’s largest public school systems. Detroit Public Schools is a school district of choice and is open to children who live outside the city. The District offers a variety of highly competitive academic and career and technical programs.
