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 nearly 75 appearances she makes throughout the year with motivational speaking and 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 over 50 different community, corporate, and professional organizations, including:
• 16 times for her Community Service including honored nationally with the -
2018 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Angelo B. Henderson Community Service Award
2019 Congressional Black Caucus Michigan Delegation Community Change Agent Award
Other 2019 Honors include the -
2019 Inductee - Catch Charity Hall of Fame for Extraordinary Charitable Contributions
2019 Dr. Gerald K. Smith Humanitarian Award from Black Family Development, Inc.
2019 Northwood University Distinguished Woman Award
2019 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - Standing Ovation Award
2019 Neal Shine Award for Excellence in Media Commitment to Philanthropy
• 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 City of Detroit (Spirit of Detroit Award), NAACP (Great Expectation Award), 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 7 consecutive years of “Best News Anchor Awards” from Hour Detroit Magazine (2014-2020). And Best News Anchor Awards from the Michigan Chronicle (2016-2018).
Rhonda is an active member of the Renaissance Chapter of the Links Inc. and a Board Trustee at Harper/Hutzel and Detroit Receiving Hospitals.
Rhonda is also the founder and president of the Rhonda Walker Foundation, now in its 17th year (2020). To date the foundations award-winning, comprehensive five-year Girls into Women education, career and personal development, mentoring and college prep programming has resulted in 100% high school graduation and college enrollment rates among the inner city teen girls that complete the program, along with a 95% college graduation rate. Rhonda helped launch a comprehensive college prep initiative that provides year-round tutoring in all subjects and ACT/SAT test prep courses starting in the 8th through 12th grade, the 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. The foundation also launched it’s after school RWF Academy at 5 partner middle schools in spring 2019. For more information about the foundation visit http://rhondawalkerfoundation.org/
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 with her husband Jason, shop, dine out, enjoy Michigan summers, volunteer and spend quality time with family and friends.
