A Bridge of Hope, Help, and Light
February 17, 2023 | By: Rev. Anthony J Mondaine Sr., ISD School Board Member
Anthony loves Independence, and knows he is here to serve. Today he is not only the only person of color on the Independence School District’s Board of Education; he is the first person of color to be elected to any public office in the city's history. But if you ask him who he is, he says, “I’m a husband and a father of two children. I’m a founding pastor of a church that is nearly eight years old. I am a bridge of hope and help for other people.”
Anthony moved to Independence in 6th grade, more than 20 years ago. He attended Nowlin Middle School and then went on to Van Horn High School where he was elected as the Student Council president as a senior. His senior year was the first year that the Independence School District (ISD) operated in five western Independence, Missouri schools.
That first year (2009) brought 2500 new students to the ISD; that was 1000 students more than the projected numbers. Combined with affordable housing, that bold move by ISD to bring those schools into their district changed the landscape of Independence, Missouri. Today, more than 50% of the students in the ISD are students of color. He has had a front row seat of watching his community change over the last 20 years as an employee, a pastor, a father, and a neighbor right here in Independence.
After high school, Mondaine pursued a banking career and has worked in many roles in the banking industry starting as a Teller, banker, lending underwriter, and now management. Recently he began working at WeDevelopment Credit Union in Kansas City. He serves as the Assistant Branch Manager, where the focus is building wealth in eastern KC and attacking predatory lending in this community.
Over time Anthony has expressed a calling to the City of Independence. Not knowing exactly what that calling was he continued serving at his church and remained hopeful to the revelation of that calling. Anthony recalls being at his kitchen table one day, and suddenly feeling pressed to look into Independence Missouri Schools Board of Education. It started with a call to a friend, that led to others learning of his intent to run, meeting community leaders. He ran and won a seat on the Board.
Mondaine has taken bold steps in his time on the school board. He wants to stay true to who he is and what he believes. “I feel a great weight with this position, I take it one day at a time, standing my ground, staying committed to my faith, while also sharing grace but staying rooted in truth.”
“My hope for my current role is to highlight the opportunity for growth and to be a change agent in our community. I hope that I encourage people to be courageous, to ask the necessary and tough questions. I hope that I encourage people to love themselves for who they are. I hope to encourage more people of color to know without a doubt that they have a place and a space to stand, be heard, be seen, and be valued.”
“There are great people in our community - all different shades, genders, and lifestyles - working together for the same result: love, happiness, and peace. I think we can all come together with our differences and still find a solution for us all. I have hope for the good of humanity. I believe there is more good than evil, and good just needs to keep showing up.”
“I am committed to local leadership until I’m gone.” - Anthony Mondaine
