Uncrowned Community Builders

A Buffalo native, Marva Howell Daniel was born on October 8, 1943. She was the daughter of Beatrice and Edward Howell. She attended Buffalo Public Schools, #37 and East High School. She earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Buffalo State College. She began her teaching career as an elementary school teacher from 1968 to 1973, following which she became a home school coordinator until 1976. She worked as a human relations specialist before being appointed to an administrative position. She served as an Administrative Assistant for the School of Performing Arts and Assistant Principal of School #11 before being appointed a principal of School 77 in 1985. In 1987 she became principal of Futures Academy, which she helped transform from a troubled school to one that was cited by the State Education Department. Mrs. Daniel was named Administrator of the Year in 1992 by the American Federation of School Administrators. Among other honors, she received the Jefferson Award in Education in Education presented by the White House. She retired from the school district in 2002 due to ill health.
Mrs. Daniel's expertise and experience in educational issues lead to her involvement in many other related activities. She was a lecturer for the State University at Buffalo's Cooperative College Center and served as a consultant, tutor and facilitator and trainer for the following: U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Desegregation Program, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, N.J., Community Action Organization of Erie County, New York State Learn and Serve Program, Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and the Association for the Learning Disabled.
Mrs. Daniel was devoted to her students. After the tragic death of one of her students she decided to form a little league football team to keep the children busy and off the streets over the summer. She sought funds for this project and was able to secure the old Masten Stadium for league games. This endeavor was such a success that teams quickly sprung up across the city and many are still active today.
She was also active in her community and participated in a number of civic organizations. She was a member of the Links, Erie County chapter and was a former president. She was a former vice-president of the BUILD Organization, a member of the Black Educators Association, the New York State Federation of School Administrators, the Buffalo Supervisors and Central Office Administrators, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Smithsonian Institute of African American History Association. The impact of her contribution to her school and students at Futures Academy, is reflected in the fact that the City named a street near the school was named in her honor.
Mrs. Daniel was formerly married to Marvin L. Daniel. The couple was the parents of Marcia and Marion and Marvin Daniel Jr. Mrs. Daniel died on July 25, 2004.