Uncrowned Community Builders

Sandra Williams Bush was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She is the daughter of Willis and Evelyn Williams, who have been married over 50 years. Under their strong love, guidance and support, Sandra was instilled with the importance of family, loyalty and community.

As the product of the Buffalo school system (School #47, Woodlawn Jr. High, and East High School), she continued her higher education in Buffalo earning an undergraduate degree from Medialle College in Human Services and a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Buffalo School of Information and Library Science.

Employed with the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library since 1985, Sandra is currently the first Branch Manager of the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library which houses the largest resource center of African and African American history in central and western New York. She considers herself blessed and highly favored to be the steward to this collection and continually strives to bring the community into the branch through quality library services, programming and outreach efforts.

Sandra is also a professional storyteller specializing in African American Folktales. Her love of storytelling developed through her profession as a Librarian. She performs as a solo artist and as a charter member of Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of Western New York, a group of storytellers who came together to preserve the oral tradition. In addition to storytelling, Sandra is a djembe drummer with the group Daughters of Creative Sound, an African American women's percussion ensemble.

As a creative artist, Sandra has performed in many venues throughout Western New York including Juneteenth events, Kwanzaa, libraries, churches, schools, community centers, for private functions such as weddings, anniversaries, and other public and private celebrations.

Other affiliations include memberships to the National Association of Black Storytellers; Buffalo Genealogical Association of the African Diaspora; Black Caucus of the American Library Association; Afro-American Historical Association; Documentary Heritage Program Advisory Committee; Cooperative Extension Advisory Committee; and American Association of University Women. Sandra is a past board member of the Junior League of Buffalo, AAUW, and Literacy Volunteers and through the years she has actively volunteered in various community projects.

Sandra, the oldest of five children, is sister to Richard, Steven, Barry, and Raymond; proud mother of Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Bush and stepmother.