Michael Julian Bond and his father, Julian BondI received a phone call and on the other end of the phone was a representative of Julian Bond. According to them, he was sending me a personal invitation to his son’s Michael Julian Bond’s benefit dinner after he won the City Councilman seat in Atlanta, GA. I was surprised and excited because I had no idea how his people got my personal number and then I got excited when I realized Julian Bond knows who I am and had been reading my work. I only had a one-day notice so I prepared well and took notes but did not know the amount of history I would be surrounded by in this room.

Julian Bond is the son of Dr. Horace Mann Bond, who was the first African-American president of Lincoln University. Julian Bond attended Morehouse College in 1957. He helped to form the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He has held many positions in many different organizations and groups. His most notable position to date is his position as Chairman of the NAACP. He has stated that he would seek re-election of that post. Other things he did that help shape America for President Obama to get into office was in 1965. Bond was one of eight African Americans elected to the Georgia House of Representatives after the passage of Civil Rights legislations, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He has been a constant fighter for civil rights for all of our society. He most recently made headlines when he didn’t attend Coretta Scott King’s funeral because the children had it at a church that was opposed to gay marriages.

Michael Julian Bond has completed two successful terms as the representative from Council DistrictMichael Julian Bond, Atlanta - City Council - At-Large Post 1 Winner Three. During those terms, [i]he served as the City Council's President Pro Tempore for the year 2001. Bond's Council Accomplishments include limiting the number of package stores in neighborhoods and attacking neighborhood blight. He fulfilled the City's 30-year-old promise to rebuild the historic Washington Park Natatorium and secured over $130 million dollars for the creation of the Westside Village on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It is the largest, single investment in the African American Community. He authored Equal Benefits Legislation to provide unmarried domestic partners with equal benefits. He has supported Senior Citizens and provided limousine rides and a luncheon to Honor National Senior Citizens Month.

Outside of Public Office, Michael Bond has remained committed to the community. He Represented The National NAMES Project At The AIDS Quilt Unveiling Ceremony. He has raised $240,000 for the Voter Fund to increase voter registration and voter awareness. He fought to save some of Atlanta's Historic Landmarks, The Pascal Hotel, and also raised money to save the Oldest Historical Black College, Morris Brown College. He worked with the NAACP and the Westside Coalition to successfully block plans to build a Trash Station in their Neighborhood. He fought successfully against unfair payday lenders and helped launch affordable housing efforts in conjunction with Freddie-Mac.

Bond serves on the boards of the Ollie Street, Southeast and East Lake YMCAs, the Atlanta Empowerment Zone and is the Chairman of the Board for Laffapolooza, a youth mentoring organization.

Bond attended Morehouse College and Georgia State University and is a member of Leadership Atlanta and the Black-Jewish Coalition's Project Understanding. He was also the Deputy Director and Chief Programs’ Officer of the Atlanta NAACP. Bond is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union and continues to support organized labor.

Kasim Reed and Michael Julian BondI felt like I was around the next Mayor of Atlanta and then out of nowhere Kasim Reed showed up. I was surprised at how he made his entrance. I could tell that this wasn’t a night of politics for him. He was actually there to just support a long-time friend. Now, of course he could use the endorsement of Michael, but with the most recent endorsement of Lisa Borders, I think he will be ok. I have to admit, being from Illinois, I grew up feeling like all politicians were just crooks and out to rob the people. I think after last night, November 12^th, I realized that I might have met two men, Kasim and Michael, who actually are in politics because they want to actually help the people and continue to build a city they really love. Until truth prevails my eyes will be watching.

  ^[i] MJB Accomplishments

Michael Julian Bond's Website - http://www.michaeljulianbond.com/bio.html

Julian Bond NAACP Biography - http://www.naacp.org/about/leadership/directors/jbond/

City Council Performance Report - http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/performance08.pdf

ATL City Council Main Site - http://apps.atlantaga.gov/citycouncil/

How the City Council Works - http://citycouncil.atlantaga.gov/howworks.HTM