City Council President Charles Pugh went from reporting the news to becoming the news – as a respectable politician. (Who knew such a thing existed? ) The reporter-turned-politician is the Motor City’s first openly gay elected official and a faithful champion of the city.
He shares with UPTOWN some of his personal connections to the lows and highs of Detroit’s history but first, Pugh tells US about lessons learned and how he kills time after hours.
REFLECTIONS: Hometown: Detroit * Age: 40 * First job: News reporter and anchor at NBC station WKJG in Fort Wayne, Indiana * Advice you would have given yourself 10 years ago: Don’t take everything so seriously, spend less and save more. * Most valuable life lesson learned: That life is short. With the recent, sudden death of my brother and deaths of other friends who were younger than 30, it has taught me that life is short and valuable. You have to make a point to enjoy your life as much as possible. * Most valuable business lesson learned: Hire the right people with good attitudes, who have your back. You have to have a budget and a smart marketing plan. You can have the best product in the world but if no one knows about, it does you no good. * Words to live by: Develop "people skills." The key to success in any venture is the skillful handling of people. That is applicable to personal relationships with siblings, significant others, workers, bosses, spouses, kids. If you master that skill, it has ripple effect on every other aspect of success.
DIVERSIONS: Currently reading: What Would Napoleon Hill Do? and Men’s Health Big Book of Food and Nutrition * Planning to read next: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill * Last fun purchase: $5 shirt from Rachel’s Place, a vintage designer shop in Corktown * Recently discovered: The book Eat This, Not That. The book shows how to reduce calories and help you to lose weight without doing much other than food swaps.
PLAYING FAVORITES: Hotel: Westin Book Cadillac Detroit * Getaway: New York City * Lounge to meet friends for drinks: Centaur * Brunch spot + dish ordered: Crab Cake Benedict at Atlas Bistro * Dish last time you went out: 1917 American Bistro - Grilled Catfish with Asparagus, Spinach, and a glass of Merlot.