Alphonse Mouzon
Alphonse Mouzon was born in Charleston, South Carolina on November 21, 1948. He is African American with some parts French and Blackfoot Indian. He excelled musically at Bonds Wilson High School while learning from his teacher and former professional musician, Lonnie Hamilton lll. He also played with the Lonnie Hamilton band and took drum lessons at this time.
He then went on to study music at New York City College in addition to medicine at Manhattan medical school. After graduation, he began working at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. At college, he took drum lessons from Bobby Thomas, who is known for being Billy Taylor's drummer, as well as taking part in the pit band of a Broadway show called "Promises, Promises".
In his twenties, he ended his medical career in pursuit of a musical one with a move to California. During this time, he also studied acting at the Lee Strausberg Institute for Actors, with Susan Ricketts, and voice-overs with Don Pitts. He was signed to Blue Note label at 23. He became a member of the band Weather Report and co-founded a band known as The Eleventh House. He had four solo R&B albums. He has performed with countless memorable artists and made a name for himself in the Jazz industry with these pursuits in addition to receiving some acting roles.
Later in life, he began teaching at the Alphonse Mouzon International Private Drum School. He also created Tenacious Records. In September of 2016, he was diagnosed with a rare for of cancer that unfortunately took his life at the age of 68 on December 25, 2016.
Art Shell
Graduate of Bonds Wilson High School, Arthur “Art” Shell is a notable alumni. Born in 1946, Shell attended BWHS from 1960-1964 and earned the titles of “All-State Center” and “Defense Tackle” in football, in addition to “All-State Center” in basketball as a student. After attending Maryland State University, Shell was drafted as a player on the Oakland Raiders and won Super Bowls XI and XV. Arthur Shell would soon move on from being a player and start working as an offensive line coach for the LA Raiders; he made history as being the first African American coach in the NFL. He continued to coach until retiring in 2006, working for the Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, and Oakland raiders.
Reginald "Reggie" Burgess
Reginald L. “Reggie” Burgess graduated from Bonds-Wilson High School in 1984 where he played football and received a full ride scholarship. After graduating he earned a dual degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. These degrees along with his desire to help his community, led him to join the North Charleston Police Department in 1989. He served North Charleston as a police officer for 34 years. In 2018 he became the chief of police in North Charleston. After five years of being chief of police he retired and was elected Mayor in 2024. In summary, Burgess' long career in serving his community after attending Bonds-Wilson High School makes him a very notable alumni.