5th District – Sherry Bolden-Simpson

5th District Council Member

Councilwoman Sherry Bolden-Simpson proudly represents the 5th District of South Bend, Indiana, beginning her term on January 1, 2024. She is the first Democrat, woman, and African American to hold this seat since 1965. A lifelong resident of South Bend, Sherry graduated from John Adams High School in 1981 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a high school math endorsement. Additionally, she earned her Master of Science degree in Education and a Master’s Special in School Administration. Sherry and her husband Ron have lived in the 5th District for 27 years where they have raised their three sons. They are blessed to have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Sherry Bolden-Simpson has had a distinguished career in education, spanning from 1986 where she began as a math instructor and track coach at Clay High School. In 1994, she began her service as the Director of Guidance at Jesse L. Dickinson Middle School, which led to her start in building administration. She served as the assistant principal of one middle school and two high schools and as a principal at Green Intermediate Center and Dickinson Fine Arts Academy. As the current Director of Guidance at Rise Up Academy, Bolden-Simpson plays a critical role in securing a $3 million school improvement grant. Most notably, Rise Up Academy’s graduation rate has more than doubled and topped 90 percent under her guidance department leadership.

Along with being the 5th District representative, Councilwoman Bolden-Simpson serves the South Bend Common Council as the Chair of the Utilities Committee and Vice-Chair of the Information & Technology Committee and serves as a member of the Public Works & Property Vacation, Community Relations, and Community Investment committees and the Sub-Committee on Minutes. She is also the Democratic precinct chair of precinct 130513 for the City of South Bend in St. Joseph County.

Her passion to restore and encourage others to do their best continue to touch the lives of many – young and old. Councilwoman Bolden-Simpson desires to continually enhance the lives of the people and businesses within the fifth district of South Bend. Through interactions with residents via neighborhood association meetings, phone calls, text messages, and personal visits, Councilwoman Sherry Bolden-Simpson works hard to be accessible to all of the residents of the 5th District of South Bend, Indiana.

South Bend Common Council