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Biography

Marsha R. Bonner

Marsha R. Bonner

(pronouns: she, her)
President, MRBInspires | Founder, H.U.G.S. Movement (Helping Us Grow Spiritually)
Human & Civil Rights Champion | Global Impact Leader | Community Advocate & Strategist | Senior Transformational Business Executive
Live and Embrace a "HUGS Mindset"
Encourage, Inspire and Uplift Others Through Your Words, Actions and Deeds - Marsha R. Bonner

Marsha R. Bonner embodies the transformative power of empathy and resilience. As the founder of the H.U.G.S. Movement (Helping Us Grow Spiritually), she champions a world where humanity thrives through understanding, respect, and compassion. Her "HUGS Mindset" has inspired individuals globally to embrace fellowship and challenge discriminatory ideas that divide us.

Her passionate advocacy for human dignity emerged from a profound personal journey "From the Brooklyn Streets to the Corporate Suites". After overcoming addiction and homelessness through the support of others, Marsha dedicated her life to creating spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. This commitment to human dignity earned international recognition when she courageously stood against discrimination during ABC's "What Would You Do?" episode "Hairdresser Disapproves of Interracial Couple" - https://youtu.be/V1SVjd6pL0I. Her diplomatic yet bold response to intolerance created a "teachable moment" that resonated with over 200 million viewers worldwide and was featured on ABC's "Nightline" - https://youtu.be/4B7WVyRBfP8

As an internationally recognized human and civil rights champion, Marsha channels her expertise through MRBInspires, where she serves as President. She is actively engaged in grassroots initiatives supporting multicultural communities, women, LGBTQ individuals, domestic violence survivors, and social justice causes.

Drawing on over 25 years of experience, Marsha brings empathetic leadership to the corporate world, shaping inclusive cultures at esteemed organizations such as The New York Times Company, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, The Legal Aid Society, the Newark Museum of Art, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, SAGE USA, and the Urban Resource Institute. She also serves as a Senior Human Resources and Diversity Consultant with MRW Consulting Group International, LLC.

Marsha shares her life with her beautiful wife, Sanora and their children in New Jersey, where she continues to demonstrate that authentic leadership begins with an open heart and the courage to stand for what's right.

Awards, Recognitions & Certificates

  • Featured in Business Insider's June 2021 "Secrets of Success" article, "How to Build an Inclusive Culture."
  • Recognized on Crain's New York Business 2021 Notable LGBTQ Leaders & Executives List.
  • Honored with a 2019 City of New York Citation from Eric L. Adams, President of the Borough of Brooklyn.
  • Named to The G-Listed 2018 Black LGBTQ Power 100.
  • Recipient of the National Action Network (NAN) NYC Chapter Women's Auxiliary 2015 Women of Excellence Award.
  • Awarded a Beyond Bold and Brave Certificate of Appreciation.
  • Recognized by The New York Times LGBT Affinity Group in its "Lesbians We Love" Poster Acknowledgment.

Appearances

  • Guest Speaker, National Action Network (NAN) Women's Auxiliary – NYC ChapterWomen's History Month: Still We Rise
  • Panelist, New York Urban League WebinarDiscussion: Leading While Black
  • YouTube Prelude ConversationCombating Racism and Antisemitism Together – Shaping an Omni American Future
  • Panelist, LinkedIn Film Screening & DiscussionBURDEN – Cinema, Conversations & Connections
  • Panelist, C-SPAN's NAACP LGBTQ Town Hallat the 109th National Convention: The State of LGBTQ People of Color in America
  • Speaker, Zendesk & The Overture Center for the ArtsPaths to Inclusion Symposium
  • Presenter, The Broadway League's Spring Road ConferenceUnconscious Bias Presentation
  • Guest Appearance, Katie Couric's Talk Show"Katie"
  • Featured Guest, MSNBC NewsNation"Born in the USA" with Tamron Hall
  • Featured Segment, ABC-TV's Primetime"What Would You Do?" with John Quiñones
  • Guest Feature, TV One's Celebrity Crime Files"Lady Gangster Stephanie St. Clair"
  • Guest Appearance, ABC News "Here and Now"with Sandra Bookman
  • Speaker, Columbia University Teachers CollegeIntervention Discussion: Human and Social Dimension Peace Course