Ronald Bonner
Ronald Bonner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Chicago Theological Seminary (MDiv); Emory University, Candler School of Theology (DMin); Harvard Kennedy School (Master's Certificate in Public Leadership) |
| Occupation | Minister, author, activist, scholar, public speaker |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Known for | Social justice advocacy, anti-racism scholarship, ministry, and public speaking |
Notable work | Making It Plain: Deconstructing a Fictitious and Vicious Story About Racism |
Ronald Bonner is an American minister, author, activist, scholar, and public speaker whose work focuses on racial justice, anti-racism education, leadership, and Christian ministry. He has served as an ordained minister in both the United Church of Christ and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has held leadership positions in human resources, affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and multicultural publishing.[1]
Bonner has participated in justice-focused activism since the early 1960s. His scholarship examines the historical and educational construction of racism and explores methods for dismantling divisive narratives through critical analysis, education, and community engagement.
Early life and activism
Bonner became involved in justice-oriented activism during the early 1960s. His experiences in the Civil Rights era helped shape his lifelong commitment to racial equity, public leadership, and social justice.
Education
Bonner earned a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 1995. In 2022, he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. During the same year, he completed an online Master's Certificate in Public Leadership through the Harvard Kennedy School.
Career
Before entering full-time ministry, Bonner worked in the technology sector as a computer and data networking salesperson for IBM and AT&T. He later transitioned into human resources, serving as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) investigator for AT&T.
Following his graduation from seminary, Bonner became Assistant to the President of the United Church of Christ for Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity. He later served as Manager for Multicultural Resources at Augsburg Fortress Publishers, where he worked in multicultural publishing and educational resource development.
Bonner has served as an ordained minister in both the United Church of Christ and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for nearly three decades. Throughout his ministry, he has preached, taught, and led initiatives addressing faith, racial justice, and community engagement.
In addition to his ministry, Bonner is a frequent speaker who presents workshops, keynote addresses, and educational programs on race, culture, leadership, and social justice.
Writing
Bonner is the author of Making It Plain: Deconstructing a Fictitious and Vicious Story About Racism, a work examining the construction and perpetuation of racist narratives within educational and cultural institutions.[2]
The book explores concepts including Elliott Eisner's theories of cultural construction, Gordon Allport's definition of prejudice, and Howard Thurman's writings on imagined sovereignty. Bonner argues that understanding how racist narratives are developed and transmitted enables individuals and communities to challenge systemic inequality and promote equity.
Making It Plain combines Bonner's doctoral dissertation on the deconstruction of divisive narratives with his earlier scholarship on ending bigotry.[3][4]
Selected works
- Making It Plain: Deconstructing a Fictitious and Vicious Story About Racism[5]
Public speaking
Bonner regularly speaks at educational institutions, churches, conferences, and community organizations. His presentations address topics including:
- Anti-racism education
- White supremacist ideology and racial narratives
- Faith and social justice
- Leadership and community engagement
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
References
- ↑ "Ronald Bonner". Ronald Bonner. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Ronald Bonner Unmasks Racism in Bold New Book Making It Plain". The Review. Gannett. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Ronald Bonner's Making It Plain on Racism". Urban Missiology International. 2025-12-10. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Ronald Bonner Unmasks Racism in Bold New Book Making It Plain". NorthJersey.com. Gannett. Retrieved 2026-06-30.
- ↑ "Ronald Bonner Unmasks Racism in Bold New Book Making It Plain". Palladium-Item. Gannett. Retrieved 2026-06-30.