Detroit teacher, poet, and radio show host Brenda Perryman passes away from Covid-19.

The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of several beloved educators. One of them is Brenda Perryman, a well-known performing arts teacher, poet, and radio personality from Detroit, Michigan.

Brenda earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech, Dramatic Arts, and Education from Eastern Michigan University. During her undergraduate years, she joined the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Upon graduation, Brenda inaugurated her career as an educator. She taught English, speech, and drama from 1970 to 1988 at Highland Park High School. She then transferred to Southfield High School, where she taught from 1988 to 2010. She also served as the Chair of the Fine Arts Department there. She retired in 2010.

In her retirement, Brenda flourished as a poet, playwright, and a radio show host. Her program, Talk 2 Me with Brenda Perryman, was broadcast on Comcast 20/TV33 WHPR. On her show, she regularly championed local educators, writers, artists, and others. In addition, she served as a speaker for Procter & Gamble’s nationwide show Total You Tour, which was shared with thousands of young women on college campuses and in urban convention venues. She also performed as a featured poet for programs honoring Sidney Poitier and Maya Angelou. She was also a published poet. Her volumes of poetry include Mood Swings and Magic Carpet Rides, Moods for You, and Tender Ravings.

Brenda became well-known in Detroit as an educational speaker on women’s  issues, domestic violence, diabetes, and using poetry as a means of catharsis. She garnered several Spirit of Detroit awards. She was also recognized by the local NAACP chapter as its Most Outstanding Member.

Sadly, Brenda succumbed to Covid-19 on April 5, 2020. She was 71 years old. You can read more about this amazing Chalkboard Champion in the obituary published by the Detroit Free Press.