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City Connect Detroit: Bio
Teola Hunter
Community Volunteer
Teola P. Hunter is a native Detroiter, a mother, grandmother, business woman and highly respected political leader in Wayne County. She attended the Detroit Public Schools, received a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Detroit, and a Master in Education from Wayne State University. Ms. Hunter taught in the Detroit Public School System for 14 years. In 1989, Teola P. Hunter was elected by her colleagues in the legislature to the leadership position of Speaker Pro Tempore. Historically, she became the first female in Michigan to hold this position. She was re-elected to this role a second time and held this status until she resigned from the House of Representatives in January of 1992. Following her resignation from the State House, Teola Hunter was appointed to the position of Deputy Director for Health and Community Services, by Edward H. McNamara, Wayne County Executive. She was responsible for overseeing Mental Health Service, Patient Care Management System, Youth Programs, Co-op Extension, and Child Care Fund.
In 1992, Ms. Hunter was elected to the Office of Wayne County Clerk. She is the first female to ever hold this position in Wayne County. She was re-elected to the office of Wayne County Clerk, in 1996. In 1997 she became the first African American to be chosen to run as the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor for the State of Michigan. June, 2001, Ms. Hunter was appointed to the position of Interim Executive Director of the Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF). She became responsible for day-to-day leadership and governance of the CAYF office and operation, including ensuring compliance with governing agencies and implementing policy as stated by 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 (NOBLE) Women’s Conference in Bermuda. In January, 1990, Mrs. 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 involvement are broad and extremely extensive. 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 businesses, 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. Her time is devoted as a charter member of the Advisory Board of highly recognized Michigan State University, 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 give them a solid foundation in practical politics, public policy analysis, personal leadership development and governance. Ms. Hunter has always described herself as being a public servant. She continues to demonstrate this mission by serving on various not for profit Board 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 not for profit corporate Board of Directors.
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