The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Wynder, Lashley selected to lead reinstated Allegany County branch of civil rights group

             Though a Baltimore native, 'I call Allegany County home.'
                                                                              -- Bernard Wynder, president
                                                                              N.A.A.C.P., Allegany County branch

By The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, Jan. 16 -- Norma Blacke-Bourdeau has been credited with reorganizing the Allegany County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 2003 until her death 11 months ago.

It's only appropriate, then, that on the day of her funeral, her successor was identified by those who wanted to see the local chapter not only survive - but flourish.

Bernard Wynder, a Frostburg State University administrator, was installed Sunday afternoon as the successor to Blacke-Bourdeau president of the Allegany County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Bernard Wynder, of Frostburg, was identified as a leading candidate to succeed Blacke-Bourdeau just days after her passing. At her funeral, Rev. Alfred Deas Jr. and Rev. John C. Martin approached each other with the same thought - that Wynder would be the ideal candidate to succeed Blacke-Bourdeau.

The process from candidate to newly installed president was a lengthy one. The chapter had sunk below the minimum number of memberships required by the national organization and had to apply for reinstatement. Wynder helped form and served as chairman Friends of the NAACP, the goal of which was solely to keep an NAACP chapter operating in Allegany County.

"We did it," Wynder said from the pulpit of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in downtown Cumberland on Sunday, moments after taking the oath of office as president.

"That's today," he continued. "After today, the officers will begin to call upon members of our community to assist this branch. The work of this local branch can not be accomplished without you."

The ceremony was attended by several local dignitaries, elected officials and members of clergy, including Rev. Edward "Bo" Chapman, who presided over the funeral services of Blacke-Bourdeau. The Allegany County / Fort Hill High School Show Choir, under the direction of Bob Thompson, performed a handful of spiritually uplifting numbers.

In addition to Wynder, Valerie Lashley was installed as first vice president, Lianne Cofield is the new second vice president and Rev. John C. Martin is treasurer.

Like Wynder, Lashley is employed at Frostburg State University. Cofield worked for the Cumberland Head Start program for 37 years until her retirement, working her way from teacher's aide to becoming a full-time teacher. Martin is a retired building trades and cabinetry teacher with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and currently is pastor at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Cumberland. Gregory Powell is the newly installed assistant treasurer, Diana Allee Beverlin is the chapter secretary and Bettie Washington is the assistant secretary.

Gerald Stansbury, president of the state NAACP chapter, said shortly after Blacke-Bourdeau's passing that her successor must be "a person of good character," someone with a vision and "some kind of platform as to how they want" to fulfill the obligations of the office.

All seemed to agree Wynder met the qualifications. The Baltimore native moved to Frostburg in 1974 to pursue higher education and graduated in 1978.

"This is a community in which I have fallen in love," Wynder said. "You can ask my mother. I came here in 1974 and I never went home."

Though he was born in Baltimore, "I call Allegany County home," Wynder said.

And since 1974, Wynder has been a part of the community. Throughout his professional career, Wynder has served as an advisor, mentor and an active community member and has been recognized as such on multiple occasions.

In 2005, Wynder received the NAACP Image Award and last fall he received the Maryland Associated Black Charities "Living Legend" Award. In the past 30 years, Wynder has served on numerous organizational boards in the area, including: Maryland Salem Children's Trust, Western Maryland Food Bank, Potomac Council Boy Scouts of America, Allegany County Multicultural Committee, and the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Wynder currently serves on the Allegany County Human Relation Commission. He lives with his wife, Robin, in Frostburg. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.