'A giant voice:' Journalist, orator Michael McFadden advocated for Lansing's Black community

Correction: Joel Ferguson and Michael McFadden grew up in the same neighborhood and they both attended Sexton High School. That information was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.

LANSING − Michael McFadden’s deep baritone voice echoed through radio speakers for decades, but it’s what he said with that smooth voice that impacted so many, friends and acquaintances said.

McFadden’s broadcasting career began in 1984 at the Lansing-area Power 96.5 FM and WXLA 1180 AM radio stations. Known as “Mighty Mike,” McFadden got behind the microphone to spin music and used his platform to share news, events and other information that affected the Black community.

McFadden died on Oct. 10, his 64th birthday, after a fight with kidney disease. He left a legacy of love for his family, including two daughters, and a passion for using his voice to entertain and inform.

His voice and memory will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him or listened to his powerful, smooth voice over the radio waves, people who knew him or listened to him said in online tributes.

“It was like he was born to do this kind of work,” said Marcus Jefferson, owner and general manager of The Michigan Bulletin, a Black community newspaper in Lansing. “Just imagine James Earl Jones meets Barry White. That’s the kind of voice he had.”

“Mighty Mike” was born in Lansing in 1958 and, through his mother, quickly became devoted to his faith, joining Friendship Baptist Church, according to his obituary. He was an active member, including stints as the secretary of the church board of trustees and operating the audio system. He later joined Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church.

After graduating from J.W. Sexton High School in 1976, McFadden pursued his passion at Lansing Community College and then Michigan State University where he studied broadcasting, journalism and communication.

He signed on with Power 96.5 FM and WXLA 1180 AM in 1984. His talent brought him to local TV 6 News as a news reporter under an alias, Mike Elliot. Another network station in Buffalo, New York discovered and hired him, according to the obituary, but the unbearable Buffalo winters brought him home.

He continued working in radio and TV, often doing radio spots for upcoming events. His voice became a staple in news and advertising.

“It just sounded better coming from his mouth,” Jefferson said. “If anyone had an event and they were trying to get people to come or trying to get some kind of notoriety, the first person they would ask for is Michael.”

He used his voice to tell stories that mainstream media outlets would often overlook. And he would give listeners the news, informing them on things ranging from community events to important legislation that could impact the Black community.

McFadden was on the unofficial list of prominent African-Americans in the community who young professionals wanting to become “a mover and shaker in the community” would look to for help, said Rep. Sarah Anthony. For her, McFadden was toward the top of the list when she graduated from college and moved back to Lansing.

“He was a good mentor,” she said. “He was someone that I could call for advice. If I needed to get a message out, particularly to the Black community in Lansing, he was one of my go-to contacts.”

Before Juneteenth became a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans, McFadden was instrumental in educating people on the significance of the holiday, Anthony said. And he made sure they were aware of things like Obamacare, she said, and local resources and issues that were important to the Black experience.

“Oftentimes, traditional media has not amplified positive stories about Black people and our communities,” Anthony said. “Whether it is in the TV media, print media, on the radio, often it was involving crime or drugs or other areas that didn’t portray us in a positive light.

“Whether it was gospel music being offered and performed by Black musicians, or Black elected officials … he made sure things we were fighting for were highlighted in the media.”

Many of the stories he covered as a TV reporter involved minority communities and together with Jefferson, they worked to report on news that affected their community. It ranged from governmental news to human interest pieces, like a story on the painting of a mural to honor a man shot and killed while sitting on his porch.

Jefferson first met McFadden in the 1980s. At the time, Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” anti-drug program had started and Jefferson started a local chapter at a local Boys and Girls Club. The program hosted monthly dances and Jefferson needed a DJ. McFadden was happy to step up.

McFadden came back to work for Jefferson and The Michigan Bulletin in 2012 and again in 2018 where he sold advertisements, wrote stories and set up radio and television spots for clients.

His voice was always in high demand.

“It was so amazing. If he walked up to you before you heard him speak, he was small in stature, but he had a giant voice,” Jefferson said. “He was like 5-foot-8, but his voice was like 7-foot.”

Prominent Lansing developer Joel Ferguson grew up in the same neighborhood and they both attended Sexton High School. Ferguson said McFadden had an iconic voice.

“I listened to him whenever I had the chance,” Ferguson said. “If he was on, I’d turn on the radio and I kept him on.”

McFadden encouraged others to use their own voices, Anthony said.

“I remember he would always tell me that my voice matters,” Anthony said, adding that he once told her, “You’re the only person who can tell your story."

"… just hearing that gave me confidence to speak even in that space. It reminded me gently that is it a powerful tool, our voices,” she said.

McFadden was preceded in death by his wife, Kennetha McFadden and an infant daughter, Michelle Victoria McFadden. He is survived by daughters Myka (Terrell) Davis and Kendra (Kalynn) Williams Sr. and stepson, DeShawn (Christi) Flowers. A funeral service was held Oct. 17 at Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church.

Contact Mark Johnson at majohnson2@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByMarkJohnson.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Journalist Michael McFadden advocated for Lansing's Black community