Bruce Bolling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Bolling
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Bolling in the 1980s
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| President of the Boston City Council | |
| In office 1986–1987 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph M. Tierney |
| Succeeded by | Christopher A. Iannella |
| Member of the Boston City Council | |
| In office September 1992 – 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Christopher A. Iannella |
| Succeeded by | Peggy Davis-Mullen and Richard P. Iannella |
| Constituency | At-large |
| In office 1984–1991 |
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| Preceded by | district created |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Crayton |
| Constituency | District 7 |
| In office 1982–1984 |
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| Preceded by | Lawrence DiCara, Patrick F. McDonough, Rosemarie Sansone, and John W. Sears |
| Succeeded by | N/A |
| Constituency | At-large |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 29, 1945 |
| Died | September 11, 2012 (aged 67) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Joyce Ferriabough |
| Alma mater |
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Bruce Carlton Bolling (born April 29, 1945, died September 11, 2012) was an important politician and businessman from Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Boston City Council. He even became the first Black president of the council in the 1980s. Later, he tried to become the mayor of Boston in 1993.
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Early Life and Education
Bruce Bolling went to Boston English High School. He also studied at Northeastern University. He earned a master's degree in education from Antioch University, which is now called Cambridge College.
Bruce came from a family that was very successful in politics. His father, Royal L. Bolling, was a state senator. His brother, Royal L. Bolling Jr., was a state representative.
Political Career Highlights
Around 1980, Bruce Bolling started working for Mayor Kevin White in Boston. He had different jobs, including working in public safety and managing a local city office.
In November 1981, he was elected to the Boston City Council. This was the last election where all council seats were "at-large." This means people voted for candidates from anywhere in the city.
Representing District 7
After that, he was re-elected four times to represent District 7. This district included the Roxbury area. Each term lasted two years.
First Black Council President
Bruce Bolling made history in 1986 and 1987. He became the president of the Boston City Council. He was the first Black person ever elected to this important position.
Later Council Years
In November 1991, he lost his council seat when he tried to win an at-large seat again. However, he returned to the council in September 1992. This happened after another council member, Christopher A. Iannella, passed away. Bruce Bolling had finished fifth in the election for four at-large seats, so he was next in line.
Running for Mayor
In 1993, Bruce Bolling ran for Mayor of Boston. He finished fifth in the first round of voting, called the preliminary election.
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Legacy and Recognition
From 2000 until he passed away, Bruce Bolling was the director of MassAlliance. This company helped small businesses grow.
He died on September 11, 2012, at the age of 67. He had prostate cancer.
In 2015, a building in Boston was renamed in his honor. The Ferdinand Building in what was then Dudley Square (now Nubian Square) became the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building. Many important people attended the dedication ceremony. These included his brother, Royal L. Bolling, Jr., Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
Images for kids
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Bolling (third from right) next to Mayor Raymond Flynn (center), with several Boston City Council members (around 1984–1987)
