Known as a champion for both his family and the entire community, Flint’s “Gentle Giant” Bryant “BB” Nolden, passed away on December 7, 2022 at age 57.
Born in Flint, Nolden graduated from Flint Central in 1983. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Central State University in Ohio and returned to Flint to serve his community as an elementary school teacher for 25 years. After retiring from the Flint Community Schools, he furthered his education by earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, graduating in 2013.
Many who knew BB feel that he embodied the term “community service.” He began his years of public service in 2009 when he successfully ran for 3rd Ward City Council, serving through 2014 and as vice president for two years. After serving on the Council for five years, BB ran for Genesee County Commissioner and began serving in the fall of 2014 until his passing, having attended a commission meeting on the day of his death.
Furthering his community service efforts, he became the Volunteer Director of Berston Field House in 2009, tackling day-to-day operations including building maintenance, snow removal and anything necessary to keep the facility open for the community. In the fall of 2014, he founded Friends of Berston to further drive his goal of creating something that would “continue to serve as a beacon of hope for Flint youth.”
BB Nolden shared his talents on many boards, including: The Flint Institute of Arts, Genesee County Land Bank, GST Michigan Works, Current Chair of Mass Transportation Authority (MTA), Genesee County Board of Commissioners, GCCARD, Flint & Genesee Group, Genesee County Health Board, Investment Committee for Ruth Mott Foundation and Genesee County Animal Control.
BB leaves his wife Jacqueline H. Nolden; daughters Nikia Nicole Conner, Lauren Edmonds, Alexis Edmonds and Tiffany Pyland; grandchildren Lynia and Lyndale Thomas; mother Judith A. Nolden; brothers Anthony Cobbin, Corey W. Nolden, special brother Chris Crain and adopted sons Samuel Dupree and Jamar McKenzie, as well as many relatives, colleagues and dear friends.
A force for good in the Flint community, BB will be remembered as a passionate community leader and a great human being.
“What I’m going to miss about BB was his passion for people in our community. For guys like me and Nolan, and so many others, Berston Field House had a mythical status. We knew it was a place where people, no matter what side of Saginaw Street you were from, would come and face each other as equals. We learned from each other and found out that we had a lot more in common than we thought. It was his work to ensure that legacy that got so many people behind him. We lost a great community leader and a great human being. His smile and ability to connect with so many different people will be deeply missed.”
Honorable Duncan M. Beagle
