Uncrowned Community Builders

"Once you choose hope, anything is possible".Ã?â??Ã? Leona M. Harper, the daughter of Janet Harper and the late Norman W. Harper, embraces these words which were originally spoken by Christopher Reeves.

Robert and Kevin are her two beloved brothers. She is the proud mother of twelve year son Brandon, daughter Jacqueline and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren.
Leona has been employed at M&T Bank for the past 15 years as a loan officer. She brings a wealth of knowledge with 15 years of prior experience in banking from employment with HSBC bank.

Throughout her childhood Leona was taught by her father to respect and serve the community. Her dad was an International Representative for the United auto Workers (UAW.) Mr. Norman Harper was the epitome of a true public servant and a dedicated community activist. He was a founding member of the Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ), President of TRICO UAW 2100, founder of the Greater Eastside CDC and a founder of the Fire Prevention Center. Like her father, Leona is deeply committed to community service and considers it an honor and a privilege to follow in his enormous legacy.

Leona loves the City of Buffalo and is genuinely concerned about the well-being of its children families and communities. She is actively involved in a number of community-based organizations and committees that promote the great City of Buffalo. She has served as president of the Comstock-Hewitt Block Club for the past 9 years and in this position has worked closely with the neighborhood Chief of Police and the Commissioner. Other memberships include the Naomi Chapter#10 Order of the Easter Stars and the African American Affinity Group at M&T Bank.

Leona maintains an astute interest in politics. Her unique ability to build partnerships and involve others to promote quality services has led to her being elected as Committee Member in the University District. In that position she works closely with Mayor Byron Brown and Councilmember Bonnie Russell to improve neighborhood relations.

In 2007, Leona reactivated the St. Martin DePorres Boy Scout Troop #39. This was after many years of inactivity. The troop has become a tremendous asset to area youth. Leona worked to revive the troop because of the obvious need in the community to provide inner city boys with a positive character building program. The troop started with only 10 boys. As of today, there are 60 registered scouts between the ages of 5 and 17 years and the troop is still growing. Ms. Leona (as she is affectionately known by the scouts,) serves as the Committee Chair of the troop and James Morrell is Scout Master. They have approximately 15 adult leaders and volunteers working with them, including Masten District Councilmember Demone Smith, who is an Assistant Scout Master. Since starting the troop the boys have learned about how to become men. They are exposed to excellent mentors and character building activities. Some of the scouts have had the opportunity to travel as far away as New Mexico for 2 weeks to experience hiking, camping outside in various weather conditions (including winter camp outs,) learning outdoor survival skills, marching as a troop in the Juneteenth Parade and performing various acts of community service while earning merit badges. The Troop meets each Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at St. Agusta Boys School (formerly Catholic Central School) on Kensington and Bailey during the school year.

As a result of her efforts and dedicated service, in 2010 Leona was presented with the Committee Merit Award, which is the highest ranking award a civilian can receive in Scouting.
A passionate advocate for community and youth development, Leona serves as a member of the Buffalo Promise School Board and is an active Parent Board Member at the Fredrick Law Olmsted School, where her son Brandon is an honor roll student.

Leona is a member of St. Martin DePorres where she worships with her family and serves as Trustee.

Leona has a vision, in that vision she sees Buffalo in the future. where we look better. where the well-being and safety of our children, families and communities truly are promoted.