IDM: Growing up in Ohio, tell us about when
you made history in Toledo as a TV Reporter.
Charlene: I was the first Black woman TV
news reporter in my hometown in Toledo, Ohio.
Of course, I was excited to be hired in my chosen
career, and because I was making history, the
pressure was on to be very good. I was fortunate
that the viewers responded positively to my on-air
work, and the station’s ratings improved considerably.
Back then (the early 70’s), it was a huge deal.
The Toledo Blade had my photo on the front page
of the daily newspaper. I was shooting a news report
with an old-fashioned film camera. I was the
photographer and the reporter, all for a whopping
salary of $125.00 per week. After two raises, I
was at $145.00. Incredible!