Uncrowned Community Builders

The first African American Miss Niagara, the beautiful Cassandra Leeper-Buster, is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Leeper of Gasport, New York. She won the pageant in 1970 and went on to represent Niagara County for the Miss New York State Pageant in Olean NY.


Cassandra's singing skills were instrumental in her winning the title. She sang "Theme from the Valley of the Dolls" the day of the pageant.


Cassandra attended Royalton Harlton High School in Middleport, NY and after graduating from High School attended Niagara University.


Her family lived on a 52 acre plot of land where they built a new home and raised cattle. She grew up with her three brothers and two sisters.


Cassandra's singing skills lead to her being a singer with bands like "Sabata" in Buffalo, New York and later singing in Connecticut with a jazz group lead by Dwight Baldwin. She was the lead vocalist for this group.


Cassandra was married to the late Maurice Buster. She has eight children, fourteen grandchildren and two great grand children.


Cassandra is spending her time now looking after her family and helping to care for her grand children. She loves spending time with her church family and continues to sing in churches throughout Buffalo. She often sang with Bessie Patterson's Citywide Choir.