Uncrowned Community Builders

Larry Lanier Bonds was born and raised in Ripley, Tennessee in 1951. Throughout his childhood, he was a devoted member of his church, and soon became a member of the usher board. After graduating high school, he moved to Buffalo, New York to live with his father. In Buffalo, he established his own janitorial company, which operated for more than 30 years.


Larry was highly devoted to his family and to his community. In 1993, he co-founded the Western New York Black Chamber of Commerce, which to this day promotes economic independence in Buffalo's African American community. This illustrious organization is one of the proud partners of the Restore Our Community Coalition. Larry was also a member of the Community Action Organization of Western New York and a devoted member of the First Centennial Missionary Baptist Church since 1997.


In his spare time, he enjoyed bowling. It was through a local league that he met Annie W. Bonds, who he married in 2001.


Larry passed away in 2018.