DC Board Of Education — District 3

PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Benjamin Bonham, Jr. is a native Washingtonian, who graduated from Eastern High School in 1973. As a RAMBLER, Ben lettered in both track and football, and led the ALL-MET TEAM in track in 1973. He was a nationally recognized track athlete, touted in Track and Field News Magazine and selected as a High School All-American. Ben attended the University of Wyoming where he set or tied six university records in the hurdles and sprint events. In 1974, he transferred to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where -he first acquired an interest in politics. He served as a member of the Louisiana Student Lobby, and was elected Senior. Class President. Ben graduated from Southern n University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Upon graduation, Ben Bonham returned to his hometown to help run his family's dry cleaning business, and to begin teaching and coaching the youth of the District. He has taught at Johnson Junior High, and Ballou Senior High Schools. Ben also found the time to study accounting at the University of the District of Columbia. He has been an accountant since 1982. In 1988, Ben was hired as Chief of Payroll for the Department of Public Works, where he established an in-house Payroll Branch for the Water and Sewer Utility. In his capacity as Chief of Payroll, he successfully managed a budget in excess of $55 million dollars.

From 1993 to 1995, Ben served as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America. His management skills and professional drive earned him many awards including the highest award a professional scout can achieve, "The Chief Scout Executive Winner's Circle Award"

From 1996 to Present, Ben has served the Ward Six community as its representation the DC Board of Education. Ben also is a successful Realtor with Long and Foster Real Estate; Inc.

AN ADVOCATE FOR OUR CITY'S YOUTH

Ben Bonham, who resides on Capitol Hill, has been a long time advocate for the youth of our city. Ben is a Past President of the Miner Elementary PTA, has served as President of the Area 5 Council, D.C. Congress of PTA's, and is a member of the Committee On Public Education (COPE). Ben is a former board member of Parent's United, the Washington Parent Group Fund awl D.C. Parents and Friends of Children with Special Needs. In 1991, Ben founded a tutorial program for at risk youth at his neighborhood church, Pilgrim AME Church. From 1992 to 1993, Ben served as vice-chairman and chairman respectively, for the City-Wide Parents Conference. Ben is presently a member of the board of directors for The Capital Hill Arts Workshop, a community arts enrichment program, the Summertime and Reading Together (START), a summer youth reading program and the Atlas Theater Project, giving hope to revitalizing H Street, NE.

AN INVOLVED PARTNER IN THE WARD SIX COMMUNITY

Ben Bonham is a member of several community and fraternal organizations such as, the Acacia Lodge #25, F&AM Prince Hall Affiliated, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the Kiwanis Club of Capital Hill, and the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals. He is a member of both the Ward Six Democrats and the North Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association. Ben is presently a member of Brown Memorial AME Church, and from 1993 to 1997, served as president of the Washington Conference Men's Ministry Organization in the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church, which includes approximately 80 churches.

FAMILY

Ben and his wife Teresa, have a vested interest in the D.C. Public School System They have three children: Xavier, aged 13, who attend Hobson Middle School. Angela, aged 8 attends Watkins Elementary School and their youngest, Rachel, 4 attends Peabody School.

ENDORSEMENTS

Both the Washington Post and the Washington Times Newspapers endorsed Ben in his 1996 election campaign for the DC Board of Education.

Yes, I Support Benjamin Bonham
For District 3 School Board Representative.

1374 F Street, NE, Washington, DC, / (202) 388-5247
Paid for by Bonham for Better Schools, Vanessa Price, Treasurer