Uncrowned Community Builders

Mary began her long association with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank) in 1977. She rose thru the ranks from Teller to Head Teller, Administrative Coordinator, and Personal Bank Advisor before becoming an Assistant Bank Manager in 1986. In 1990, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. Recognizing her extraordinary skills in working with people, M&T promoted her to Branch Manager for Jefferson Marketplace where she served from 1988-1994. Mary was successful in advancement in the management ranks at M&T, and became Branch Manager for the new Towne Gardens Plaza Branch, a position she held from 1994 until her retirement in March, 2002. She is the only African American in Buffalo to start and develop two bank branches. For example, under her management, the Jefferson Marketplace branch grew from zero to 8 million, and she repeated a similar success at the Towne Gardens branch.

While at M&T, Mary engaged in a number of important community activities including a school banking program in 1991 and initiated the annual Towne Garden Appreciation Day in 1995. In 1989 she was also instrumental in implementing the framework for the Greater Eastside Business Association.

Some of her many community affiliations include board member of the following: Greater Eastside Business Association [secretary]; G.R.O.U.P. Ministries; William-Emslie YMCA; Urban Banker, Buffalo Chapter; Public School #53; Futures Academy. Mary is also a member of the NAACP; the National Rainbow Coalition, Inc.; Financial Women International; and GospelFest.

She has received numerous awards including: the Small Business Administration, Black Achievers Award, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Community Service, Certificate of Merit from Erie County Legislator for the Third District, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Award Certificate of Achievement for dedicated service within the Buffalo Community

She is the mother of four daughters, Natalie, Kim, Debbie, all of Buffalo, and Cacine who resides in Baltimore. She also has six grandchildren. Mary lives with her husband Robert in Grand Island, and believes that she is an instrument used to glorify God. Mary is a member of St. John Baptist Church and serves on numerous committees and task forces.