Bio

Zelda Bolden grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas and was the second of five children. After moving to California, her athletic career took root at Garey High School in Pomona where she ranked among the top ten high school runners for three consecutive years. She was a California Prep State finalist in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. At the 1982 California State Finals, Zelda captured second place in the 200-meter dash with an impressive time of 23.65 seconds. 
In 1983, Bolden enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College and quickly established herself as a premier athlete as she shattered community college records in the 100-meter dash (11.23 seconds) and 200-meter dash (23.12 seconds). Both times remain California community college records and the National community college record for an American-born athlete. 

Bolden continued her student-athlete career at the University of Washington, where she set the school record in the 100-meter dash with a mark of 11.47 seconds in 1985, a record that remains today. Her time of 7.50 seconds in the 60-meter dash is third on the school's all-time list. 

In 1987, Bolden was hired as an outreach recruiter in Mt. San Antonio College's Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), a department that provides access to higher education for students with academic and financial disadvantages. From 1989-1993, she worked for the Los Angles Urban League as an employment advisor and from 1993-1997 she served as a job developer for the "Los Angeles Projects With Industry" program. 

She returned to Mt. San Antonio College in 1997 as a job developer within the Student Services Division, where she oversees specialized job fairs, student job search advising and assisting challenged students to find employment opportunities.