The first Bangladeshi chairperson of Bronx Community Board 9 says his eighth consecutive appointment reflects the power of immigrant leadership, civic service, and community participation.

By Mutiu Olawuyi

Bronx community leader Mohammed Mujumder has been reappointed to serve another term as a voting member of Community Board 9, continuing a public service journey that he says began in 2010 and has grown into a model of immigrant civic leadership in the borough.

In a letter dated May 29, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson congratulated Mujumder on his reappointment as one of the 50 voting members of Community Board 9. The letter states that his new two-year term begins on the date of the letter and runs until March 31, 2028.

“Community Boards are the City’s most local and critical forms of public service,” Gibson wrote, noting the importance of “strong leaders and passionate voices” in neighborhood governance.

For Mujumder, the appointment carries both personal and public meaning. He said he was “very pleased and honored” to share with the community that he had been appointed and reappointed for the eighth consecutive time to what he described as his favorite community board.

Mujumder recalled that his first appointment came in 2010, when former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. appointed him directly to the board. Since then, he said, he has served in several leadership and committee roles, including Chairman of the Land and Zoning Committee, Interim Chairperson, Board Secretary, and since 2022, elected Chairperson of Bronx Community Board 9.

His rise is especially significant within the Bronx’s immigrant community. Mujumder said he was cited as the first Bangladeshi person to serve as Chairperson of the board, a milestone he views as a source of pride and a pathway for other first-generation immigrants seeking to enter mainstream civic life.

“As an immigrant of first generation, I take this as pride and honor,” Mujumder said. “I take this as the path to mainstream and encourage everyone to join the Community Board when possible.”

Community boards play a major role in New York City’s local democracy. They provide residents with a platform to raise concerns, participate in public discussions, review land use matters, engage city agencies, and interact with elected officials. While they do not pass laws, their advisory role gives neighborhoods a formal voice in city decision-making.

Mujumder said serving on a community board gives residents an opportunity “to express your voice and concern and be a part of the community.” He added that members are able to participate in important dialogue and meet elected officials, including members of Congress, the Mayor or mayoral representatives, State Senators, Assemblymembers, and City Councilmembers.

His reappointment also comes with institutional expectations. Gibson’s letter notes that board members are required to sign and follow the Code of Conduct, complete required trainings including sexual harassment prevention and EEO training, and attend full board and assigned committee meetings.

That reminder reflects the seriousness of community board service. Civic leadership is not ceremonial; it requires attendance, accountability, ethical conduct, and consistent engagement with neighborhood concerns.

Mujumder expressed gratitude to former Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and current Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson for their support and recognition. He also thanked the approximately 200,000 residents of District 9 and his fellow board members, saying their support made his leadership possible.

His continued service sends a strong message across the Bronx: immigrant participation is not outside the civic mainstream; it is part of the city’s democratic strength. When residents from diverse backgrounds join public bodies, neighborhoods gain broader representation, deeper cultural understanding, and stronger community trust.

For Community Board 9, Mujumder’s reappointment represents continuity. For the Bangladeshi and wider immigrant communities, it represents visibility. For the Bronx, it is a reminder that public service remains one of the clearest pathways for residents to help shape the future of their neighborhoods.

As Mujumder begins another term, his message to the community is clear: participation matters, representation matters, and local democracy becomes stronger when more residents step forward to serve.