The annual Detroit Urban League Awards Dinner was an important celebration of courage, commitment, and breaking barriers! Channel 7 salutes Bob Berg, Elliott Hall, Ron Hall, Sr., Joyce Hayes Giles and Walter Watkins as this year’s Distinguished Warriors.
Berg managed communications for two of Michigan’s longest-serving leaders, former Michigan Governor Bill Milliken and former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. He then co-founded one of Detroit’s premier PR firms.
Elliott Hall earned his reputation as an attorney. He has represented corporations and people from all walks of life. He also led the Detroit NAACP before becoming a Ford vice president.
Ronald Hall, Sr. opened doors for others by leading one of nation’s top minority business groups. Later he started Bridgewater Interiors and built it into a multi-billion dollar automotive supplier business. He passed away in 2016.
Joyce Hayes Giles grew up in the segregated deep south. But she didn’t let that stop her from breaking the corporate glass ceiling in Detroit. The trained lawyer became assistant to the chairman and senior vice president at DTE Energy.
Walter Watkins also grew up facing Jim Crow segregation. But he took his business degree north and worked his way up the ladder until he became one of the first African American presidents of a major bank.
We encourage you to go to WXYZ.com to see the videos we produced on how this strong group of men and women made a positive impact on our city and nation.
I’m Mike Murri, Vice President & General Manager
Broadcast: March 22 – 25, 2018
