Charlita Anderson White '83 BS
Speech Communication
Oberlin, OH
Charlita Anderson White was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1983. While at NMU, she was active in theater, involved with the Office of Black Student Services, and was a member of the first NMU Wildcat hockey cheerleading team (1979-1981). She went on to earn a Juris Doctor and an MBA in Healthcare Management.
Her professional career began in law, serving as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Lorain County. Later, she served as an Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor. She was appointed as a Magistrate in Lorain County Domestic and Juvenile Court in 1999, where she presided over cases involving domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, and drug addiction recovery. She retired from the bench in 2022.
Since 2011, Charlita has served as adjunt faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University's DeVoe School of Management, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in healthcare management, healthcare law and ethics, healthcare systems, healthcare policy, personnel supervision, and leadership. She also contributes to curriculum development.
In addition to her legal and academic career, she is the founder and director of the Outside Circle Theater Project, developing original works that focus on themes of justice, identity, friendship, and the lived experiences of women, girls, and underrepresented voices. Charlita also serves on various community boards and committes. She is currently on the November ballot for election to continue her service on the Oberlin School Board. She is honored to serve on the NMU Alumni Association Advisory Board.
Charlita is married to Dr. Clovis White. She has one son, Christopher, and lives in Oberlin, Ohio.