39° and Overcast
(Editor’s note: There is a groundswell of parents upset about a lack of accountability in the Niagara Falls School District. Below is an example of the sort of recent opinions being shared by concerned citizens like Michael Barksdale, who published the below as a Facebook status. Things will not improve unless more people vote in the school board election.)
Just a reminder that Bloneva Bond's leadership within the Niagara Falls Board of Education and her advocacy for equitable urban planning were pivotal in shaping our community.
As we fulfill our civic responsibilities, let us look to pattern our efforts after those who have already navigated these troubled waters before us.
Leadership in the Niagara Falls Board of Education
Bloneva Bond made history as the first African American woman elected to the Niagara Falls Board of Education, serving from 1979 to 1984. During her tenure, she focused on improving school integration and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, had access to QUALITY EDUCATION.
Her leadership was marked by a commitment to addressing systemic inequities within the school system. She worked tirelessly to create policies that promoted inclusivity and fairness, leaving a lasting impact on the educational landscape of Niagara Falls.
Advocacy for Urban Planning
In the 1970s, Bond and the NAACP actively opposed urban renewal projects in Niagara Falls that disproportionately displaced racial and class minorities. These projects, while marketed as efforts to revitalize the city, often led to the destruction of minority neighborhoods without providing adequate support or relocation plans for the affected communities.
Bond's advocacy highlighted the need for urban planning that prioritized the well-being of all residents, not just the interests of developers. Her efforts brought attention to the social and economic consequences of such projects, pushing for more equitable and community-focused approaches to urban development.
