Uncrowned Community Builders

Bloneva Althea Pride Bond was born September 11, 1918, in Daytona Beach Florida to the late David and Arabella Pride. She was the second of three children and the only girl. Bloneva was raised in a loving household that encouraged academic success, nurtured creative talent, and stressed Christian principles. She attended primary and secondary schools in Daytona Beach including the Bethune-Cookman Laboratory School on the prestigious Bethune-Cookman College Campus.

Bloneva graduated from Atlanta's Spelman College in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and History. She later married Harwood Bond in May 1942 and they went on to celebrate a long and loving union until his death on January 13, 2000.

Everyone who came into contact with Bloneva knew how much she treasured her college experience and how committed she was to Spelman College. Her mother Anabella, her niece Lynn, and her grandniece Kymberly are all graduates of Spelman. Bloneva is credited with writing one of the Spleman school songs.

Bloneva moved to Niagara Falls with Harwood in 1943 after teaching in Daytona Beach and Winton, North Carolina. Her many achievements, accolades and years of dedicated service to the Niagara Falls community include being a member of the NAACP where she served in several capacities including six years as President. Bloneva was a founder and charter member of the New York State Community Action Program (NYCAP) Board of Directors, she served the Niagara Coalition, was active with the Council of Christians and Jews, served on the United Way of Niagara Central Budget Committee, the Niagara Community Center Scholarship Committee, and the Congress of Racial Equality. She was a member of the Niagara Falls Council of Churches and People for Progress. She was also appointed by Govenor Nelson Rockefeller to the State Health Council and the Health Planning Commission. She served on the Niagara Falls Bicentennial Committee, and on a Minority Task Force at the Niagara Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mrs. Bond was awarded a Doctor of Humanities Degree from Niagara University in 1988 and she was twice the recipient of the Levy Brothers Award for Community Service.

Dr. Bloneva Bond was the first African American woman to serve on the Niagara Falls Board of Education from 1979 to 1984. As a businesswoman, she owned and operated her own beauty salon and worked as a Social Worker for Niagara County for 17 years. During the 1971 uprising at Attica Prison, Bloneva was summoned along with others, on behalf of the prisoners, to witness their negotiations with the authorities on their fundamental rights to human dignity.

Along with her husband Harwood Bond, a Chemist, she was an active, dedicated and faithful member of the New Hope Baptist Church for 49 years where she served in many capacities including Organist, Choir Director of the Chapel Choir, and Director of Youth Activities.

Although Bloneva and her husband Harwood did not have children of their own, she served as a mentor and role model to countless young women in the Niagara Falls community. She displayed her commitment to young people through her involvement with Girl Scouting, her work with children through community center activities, with the Board of Education, and as a church leader. She enjoyed spending time with her brothers Atwell and Alvoye, and their families in Florida and California. She never missed an opportunity to attend graduation ceremonies, weddings or holiday celebrations. She was a consistent staple in the lives of her nieces, nephews and their families. .