MEET OUR FOUNDER

RHONDA'S STORY

“In 2003 I spent 6 months visiting Detroit middle schools and talking to hundreds of teen girls about making positive life choices, believing in their selves, striving to be their best, becoming leaders and not followers in hopes of influencing teen girls to become the best they can be. Along the way I met a teen that asked me how she can do that when everyone around her tells her she won’t accomplish anything and won’t amount to anything better than the people around her in her family and inner city neighborhood. These were family members putting her down, discouraging her and lowering her self-confidence and self-esteem. I realized at that moment one speech cannot change lives and that I needed to connect these kids with positive role models and reinforce my message over a longer period of time. I founded the Rhonda Walker Foundation “Girls into Women” program shortly after the day I spoke to that girl. I am proud to say 14 years later along with my committed board, volunteers, mentors and countless friends and professionals in this community that we have been a positive influence on many lives. We have groomed hundreds of inner city teen girls over 5 years from 8th-12th grade and they have gone from shy to outgoing, from average performing to excelling, from fearful to fearless. They are role models themselves with dreams they know they have the tools to accomplishment. They each now walk with confidence. I am honored and committed for life to supporting and serving these inner city teen girls and thankful to be able to make a positive difference in their lives.”

 BIOGRAPHY

Rhonda Walker has been helping Detroiters get motivated and ready for the day with her incredible energy, enthusiasm, impeccable style, and passion for her hometown for the past 22  years. A confessed morning person, this award winning talented and versatile journalist starts her day at 2:00 am to co-anchor the weekday morning newscast at WDIV-Local 4 News. A position she’s held since 2003. But for those of you who only know Rhonda Walker the Anchor Person, there is so much more. Throughout her life, Rhonda has been committed to serving the Detroit community. Rhonda’s passion for giving back and uplifting others is shown by the more than 100 appearances she makes throughout the year in support of charitable efforts, establishing herself as not only a leader in her profession but also for service to the greater Detroit Community.

Over the past 8 years Rhonda has been recognized by her peers, and received awards and honors from nearly 50 different community, corporate, and professional organizations, including:
12 times for her Community Service

•  8 times for her work related to empowering youth and Mentoring
• 17 times for leadership and distinguished service; and
• 10 times for Professional media related awards

Her scores of awards and numerous accolades include honors from the NAACP, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, News/Talk WJR 760am, YWCA, NAWBO, Michigan Women’s Foundation, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Art Van Award of Hope, and several years of “Best News Anchor Awards” from Ambassador and Hour Detroit Magazines and the Michigan Chronicle.

Rhonda is also the founder and president of the Rhonda Walker Foundation, now in its 18th year. She helped to launch the foundation's college prep that provides year round tutoring in all subjects and ACT/SAT test prep courses and was instrumental in the launch RWF's award winning Give and Get Fit program in 2011 to promote healthy lifestyles among the RWF teens and families and raise community awareness about health, fitness and nutrition. 

Born in Detroit and raised in Lansing, Rhonda holds a degree in Communications from Michigan State University. In her spare time Rhonda is an avid golfer and loves to travel, shop, dine out, enjoy Michigan summers, volunteer and spend quality time with friends and family. 

FR: Kim Keaton Williams (Vice Chair) Rhonda Walker (President/Founder),  Lloyd Banks (Chair)

REAR: Mike Montgomery, Bonnie Smith, Nikki-Howard Combs, Monyka  Murphy (Treasurer), The Honorable Shelia Johnson, Kevin Smith, Lori Brock (Secretary), Sheree Calhoun, Robin Gamble

Not Pictured: Dr. Ron Gillum, Kimberly Walker, Briana Mitchell, Ron Mims