Bonita Gooch has spent nearly 30 years serving Wichita and communities across Kansas through journalism, business leadership, and community advocacy.

Bonita comes from a family with a tradition of public service. Her father served on the Wichita City Council and in the Kansas Senate, and her nephew later served as Executive Director of the Kansas Democratic Party. While many expected her to follow a political path, Bonita chose to serve her community through journalism.

Shortly after returning to Wichita, Bonita purchased The Community Voice. Under her leadership, the publication has grown from a small monthly newspaper into one of Kansas' most respected community media organizations, serving readers in Wichita, the Kansas City metropolitan area, and communities across the state. The Community Voice has earned a reputation for integrity, quality journalism, and a commitment to informing, connecting, and empowering the communities it serves.

At The Community Voice, a Biweekly Found Itself Becoming a Daily.

Throughout her career, Bonita has worked to strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, promote civic engagement, and ensure that community voices are heard. She has spent decades covering local and state government, education, healthcare, economic development, and issues that affect the daily lives of Kansas families.

Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the Wichita Black Business Hall of Fame and the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame.

A Wichita native, Bonita discovered her passion for journalism while attending Wichita North High School. She earned both a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas before returning home to Wichita in 1996 to raise her daughter and reconnect with the community she loved.

Bonita has chosen to live in the heart of the community she serves, remaining committed to Wichita's historic African-American neighborhoods and the people who call them home.

She is the mother of Lauren Cheeseborough, a graduate of Vanderbilt University who lives in New York City.

Today, Bonita is seeking to continue her lifelong commitment to service by representing the 84th District in the Kansas House of Representatives. She believes the district deserves trusted, effective leadership that can build relationships, work collaboratively, and deliver results for the community.