Charles Pugh facts for kids

Charles Pugh (born August 3, 1971) is an American who used to be a television journalist, radio personality, and politician. He is from Detroit, Michigan. For ten years, he worked as a weekend news anchor at WJBK in Detroit. He also hosted radio shows like CoCo, Foolish and Mr. Chase in the Morning and his own talk show, That's What's Up. These shows were first heard on WJLB.

In 2009, Pugh was chosen to be the council president for the Detroit City Council. He was the first openly LGBT person elected to a city-wide position in Detroit. Pugh served as president from 2010 until he resigned in 2013. After that, he moved to New York City.

About Charles Pugh

Early Life and Education

Charles Pugh was born in Detroit. His parents were George and Marcia Pugh. When he was very young, his parents divorced. He faced a difficult childhood, losing both his parents early in life. At age nine, he moved in with his grandmother.

Pugh finished high school at Murray-Wright High School in 1989. He then went to the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. He received a scholarship from Ford Motor Company to help pay for his studies. He graduated from college in 1993.

Career in Journalism

After college, Pugh started his career as a news anchor. He worked at WIBW in Topeka, Kansas. Later, he moved to WISE in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also worked at news stations in Columbia, Missouri, and Norfolk, Virginia. In 1999, Pugh joined WJBK, a FOX news station in Detroit.

Entry into Politics

Pugh left his job at the news station in March 2009. He decided to run for a seat on the Detroit City Council. He received the most votes of any candidate on election day. This made him the council president. During his campaign, he openly shared that he had faced financial challenges.

In 2012, Pugh sold his home, a condo in Midtown Detroit. He had bought the home in 2005.

Public Service in Detroit

In June 2013, City Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr. pointed out that Pugh had been missing council meetings. He had missed four meetings in a row. Later that day, Gary Brown, who was leading the council in Pugh's absence, said that Pugh had asked for a four-week leave for "sick leave." However, the city's Emergency Manager, Kevyn Orr, did not approve Pugh's request. He told Pugh to return to work or resign.

On June 27, 2013, Kevyn Orr officially removed Pugh from his duties and pay as president of the Detroit City Council. Pugh officially resigned from the Detroit City Council in September 2013.

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