During the Uniondale library’s monthly Board of Trustees meeting, the board presented Claude Mangum, former board trustee, with a plaque of appreciation for his service.
He spent over 18 years as a library trustee, and although he recently had to step down due to personal reasons, his dedication to Uniondale will not be forgotten by the library and by community members.
He has served on additional civic boards in his community throughout his life. He has also given lectures and presentations at the Uniondale library.
“Over the years, Magnum was always gracious when asked to speak at library programs focusing on Black history and culture,” Syntychia Kendrick-Samuel, Uniondale library assistant director, said in a statement to the Herald.
Mangum is a retired professor of African American Studies at Fordham University. His wife, Terri, is the retired California Avenue School principal, and they live together within the Uniondale library district.
Mara Marin, the Uniondale library director, described Mangum as “one of the kindest people you’d ever meet” and “very funny.”
“He was a wonderful trustee,” Mara Marin, Uniondale library director, said. “Very dedicated to the community.”
The library held their annual Board of Trustee elections on Oct. 17, with two seats open. Jessica Ellerbe won and will be filling Mangum’s vacant seat starting in January for a two-year term. Jaxon Brown, current trustee, won his seat for another five-year term.