Raised in the College Hill housing development, Bobby L. Bowden graduated from Middleton Sr. High School, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Florida A&M University.
Bowden was employed with the City of Tampa for 36 years, working first with the Model Cities Program, and later, held administrative positions with the Department of Community Affairs. Prior to his career with the city of Tampa, Bowden was employed with Hillsborough County government serving in several different capacities, including that of school teacher.
Bowden served on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Community Action Agency, and the Tampa/Hillsborough County Human Rights and Youth Councils. He was a member of the Hillsborough County School Superintendent’s Roundtable, the National Youth Sports Program advisory board, and the HCC advisory committee.
He served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee of the 13th Judicial Circuit, the Chamberlain High School Mentor program, and an advisor to the Boy Scouts of America – Ponce de Leon Troop. Bowden was a member of several professional organizations who promote community unity and human rights.
Currently, he is a member of Rivers of Life Church Ministries in Brandon and serves on the Health and Healing Ministry.
Bowden has received numerous honors and awards: Volunteer of the Year for both the American Cancer Society and the Tampa Urban League; Outstanding Service to the City of Tampa Minority Youth Leadership Program; USF’s National Youth Sports Program Director’s Award, and the Florida Association of Community Relations Professionals’ Presidential Award.