Uncrowned Community Builders

L. Nathan Hare is a lifelong resident of the City of Buffalo who has been involved in some aspect of youth employment, youth training and education, foster care, or juvenile justice for more than 30 years. He holds a Bachelorââ?¬â?¢s Degree in Business Management from Medaille College and a Masters in Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

His distinguished career includes Director of the ECC Office of Special Programs, Deputy Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Youth Services, Commissioner of Erie County Youth Services, Western Region Director of the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, and now, the CEO/Executive Director of the Community Action Organization of Erie County, Inc. He also serves as a weekly Radio/Television Host for three public affairs shows; ââ?¬Å?The World of Community Actionââ?¬ airing on WBLK-FM and Time Warner Cable, and ââ?¬Å?Living Now with L. Nathan Hareââ?¬ on WUFO-AM in Buffalo, New York. In 2007, Nathan launched a website to promote his literary works and upcoming speaking engagements at www.lnathanhare.com.

His most recent awards include the NYS Conference of Black Senators for Outstanding Community Leadership, the Presidentsââ?¬â?¢ Award from the Family Development Association of New York State, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Buffaloââ?¬â?¢s Municipal Housing Authority, the Certificate of Excellence Award from the Nation of Islam, and the MADDADS Community Leadership Award, among many others. On 2006, Nathan received a proclamation from Mayor Byron W. Brown naming December 15th as ââ?¬Å?L. Nathan Hare Dayââ?¬ in the City of Buffalo and in 2007, was inducted into the Heritage Registry of Whoââ?¬â?¢s Who. He also has served and still serves on many boards and commissions including: New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board, New York State Community Action Association, Primary Care Development Association, Buffalo Soccer Club, Community Centersââ?¬â?¢ Technology Network, Buffalo Crime Force Reduction Task Force, the Buffalo Local Action Committee, and countless others.

Nathan is a noted scholar and teacher of both Christian education and classical African history and culture. He is an African Story Teller, Playwright and Author. He has written an Introduction to African Civilization entitled, ââ?¬Å?Return To Promise,ââ?¬ and has written and produced two plays, ââ?¬Å?The Fight for Freedom: David Walkerââ?¬â?¢s Appealââ?¬ and ââ?¬Å?Djhuityââ?¬â?¢s Tears.ââ?¬ He has just completed his latest literary work, ââ?¬Å?Return to Promise: The Role of the Church in the African American Rise to Freedom.ââ?¬

Affectionately known as ââ?¬Å?Father Africa,ââ?¬ Nathan is a husband, father, godfather, a mentor and a Christian devoted to the cause of Christ and the resurrection and restoration of Africa as a community of people.