By Sarah Valenzuela
Adaline Walker-Santiago has stepped down from her leadership position on Community Board 7.
In a speech made at the full board meeting on Tuesday, April 17, Walker-Santiago highlighted her tenure as chair and spoke of the board’s accomplishments, concluding that she would not fulfill the remainder of her tenure as chair of the Board.
Her 2-year term as chairperson ends in 2019, however, during the announcement she advised the members that she would vacate the position at the end of the month.
“I have dedicated an extensive amount of time, love and attention to my community and will continue to do so,” she said in her speech, adding that she would still remain on the board.
As part of the CB 7 community, Adaline, who became a member of the board in 2010, ran for the position of vice chair only a year later, and won the election as the chair in 2013.
While in the position, she prioritized empowering the Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, and University Heights neighborhoods, championing for everything from veterans and seniors to affordable housing and women’s and children’s rights, among other things.
Under Walker-Santiago’s leadership the board initiated the annual newsletter to the community, a bus tour of CB 7 so local leaders could see the neighborhoods in the board, a free Women’s Empowerment Summit, a Veteran’s Brunch and a veteran’s committee, and even the first forum on the K2 synthetic marijuana drug that was being sold in bodegas.
Adaline received several awards over the years for her dedication and resolve including the Bronx Times’s 25 Bronx Influential Women award, and recognitions from Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Comptroller Scott Stringer.
“This is not a job that you do sitting down,” said Walker-Santiago after the meeting reflecting on some of the late nights and weekends she spent working on CB7-related projects and issues. “It’s challenging and it’s all volunteer, civic leadership.”
Adaline said she planned to take her knowledge and skill set to the next level, potentially even on a more international scale.
The Bronxite mentioned she’d been a servant of the community in different capacities her entire life and had a list of new possibilities she intended to pursue after she steps down as chair.
One of the ideas she discussed was starting a show with BronxNet TV called ‘The Coach’ where viewers call in for advice.
She even started working on her life coaching website and brand.
“I want to have a lot of creative fun,” explained Adaline. “Wisdom is power and I just want to share it, that’s it.”
She did not know who would replace her as chairperson, but said there were 18 new board members that joined in 2017, all of whom fit the bill.
The candidates will likely be announced at the CB 7 full board meeting on Tuesday, May 22, and the community could see a new chair by as early as June.
The CB7 executive board also needs to fill the treasurer position.
