Legislature Baskin Co-Hosts Premiere of Documentary 'Two Wars: Road to Integration'

ROCHESTER WOMEN continued from page 2 further improve the experience and quality of what the safe-space on Joseph Avenue offers. The Avenue is the driving force behind inspiring local news organizations to communicate the impact of Black women executives in Rochester and the support that is required to continue to make maximum progress in Black neighborhoods.

Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith is Executive Director at Connected Communities located at 1337 East Main Street. She secured $500K to acquire and renovate two essential community spaces at risk of foreclosure. The two spaces will consist of the Neighborhood Hub and the Connect Lab.

Olivia Kassoum-Amadou is Executive Director at Cameron Community Ministries located at 48 Cameron Street. To support the organization's after-school and summer enrichment programs to increases academic achievement, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of youth Kassoum-Amado secured $200K from the Omnibus Spending Package.

Wanda Ridgeway is Executive Director at Rise Up Rochester located at 244 South Plymouth Avenue. With a $400K grant from the Omnibus Spending Package, Rise Up Rochester will enhance its programming around nonviolent culture and increase the support the organization provides crime victims and their families.

For Golden, Dr. Leslie-Smith, Kassoum-Amadou and Ridgeway, the Omnibus Spending Package is more than financial support. It also adds value to a larger conversation about the need for more consistent funding allocated to Black-led organizations as Black people work to redress their own communities. (Rashad J. Smith is a Communication Consultant)

Erie County Legislature Chair April N. M. Baskin last week co-hosted the premiere of the documentary, “Two Wars: Road to Integration.” Baskin provided funding to the Erie County Naval & Military Park last year because she believed this was an important, untold story. The event was held at Shea’s Smith Theater and more than 100 Black and Latino veterans RSVP’d to attend the premiere and a pre-film cocktail party as special guests of Chair Baskin.

The film was written and directed by Steven Tedesco, Director of Education at the Naval & Military Park and featured Dr. Kanasha Blue, who is a member of the board. The documentary is the latest example of attempts by the Naval & Military Park President Paul Marzello and board member Casimiro Rodriguez to diversify the representation of veterans of ethnic backgrounds throughout the Naval Park. The documentary can be viewed in the Naval Park’s Youtube @BuffaloNavalPark and is paired with an exhibit that is currently being showcased at the park.

“As a local leader one of my greatest gifts is the stories told to me by Erie County’s own history making citizens.," said Legislator Baskin. " I was proud to deliver funding to the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to produce this documentary showcasing the forgotten stories of our local war heroes, whose service to this country, not only shaped their generation, but made it possible for many of us to stand where we stand today. These individuals served honorably yet returned home to a nation that denied them opportunities to attend college, own homes and establish businesses - opportunities that their white colleagues were able to take advantage of to secure a foothold in the middle class. This documentary tells the stories of those local heroes and how they feel about their service to this nation. This is an important part of the story of our community and the challenges faced by these veterans impacts how we live today.”

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Unforgettable:

Nat & Natalie

John Morris Russell, conductor Dee Daniels | Denzal Sinclaire, vocals

Get ready for smooth tunes and jumpin’ jazz when spectacular vocalists Dee Daniels and Denzal Sinclaire return to your BPO in a tribute to two legendary performers: Nat “King” Cole and Natalie Cole for Nat’s 100th birthday. Enjoy hits like This Will Be, When I Fall in Love, Smile, Mona Lisa, and of course, Unforgettable. Post-concert Saturday, stay for the Sweetheart Dance!

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Call

Shakespeare’s The Tempest

JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Fortunato Pezzimenti, director

A special production of the last play William Shakespeare ever penned, with Jean Sibelius’ imaginative score. Set on a mysterious desert island, inspired by reports of the West Indies in the 16th century, Shakespeare’s The Tempest is imbued with a spirit of magic and superstition in the tumultuous play of betrayal, love, and forgiveness.

Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center Speaker Series

All of the upcoming speaker series events will be held from 7-8 p.m. at the Heritage Center in the Atrium, 825 Depot Avenue West, Niagara Falls.

. •“Continuity of Care in the 21st Century”: “Continuity of Care in the 21st Century” is an interactive presentation focusing on building consistent relationships between our learning institutions and families and the importance of using culturally relevant teaching practices to meet the needs of children where they are.

Date: February 8

•“Stories of Our Resilience”: In this conversation, Professor Ponzo will discuss information associated with the lives of those who have shaped not only the history of the African Diaspora but have impacted the world. Hybrid event ; $8 singles, $12 couples, $25 families

Date: February 15

•“Restore, Reclaim, and Reform Black Midwifery Virtual Presentation”: join us for this empowering Black History Month Virtual Presentation “Restore, Reclaim, and Reform Black Midwifery” by The Counseling Midwife Barbara Verneus.

Zoom-Hybrid event ; $8 singles, $12 couples, $25 families

Date: February 22

46th ANNUAL CARTER G. WOODSON ESSAY CONTEST 2023

Theme: “How has Black Resistance been shown in Buffalo?”

Black Resistance has been the efforts to advocate for a dignified, self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States. The 1950s and 1970s were defined by actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, walk outs, strikes by Black people and White allies in the fight for justice against discrimination in all sectors of society from employment to education to housing. Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Black people have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives, and for autonomy of their physical and intellectual bodies through education, literature, sports, media, and legislation/politics. Black led institutions and affiliations have lobbied, litigated, legislated, protested, and achieved success. -Adopted from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH.org)

In recent times in Buffalo, there have been events that involved the senseless loss of Black lives: the Jefferson Tops Massacre and the December ‘22 blizzard. Consider modern Black Resistance methods as you answer some of the questions in your essay.

•In what ways has social media impacted how Black people advocate for themselves and implement Black Resistance?

•How did former methods (sit-ins, boycotts, marches) of Black Resistance help prepare for the modern methods (hashtags such as # BLM, online petitions, Tik Toks, hacktivism, etc.)

•How did Blacks in Buffalo react to the Tops massacre and/or blizzard?

•Have methods of Black Resistance been successful in your opinion? Why? Why not?

•What are your suggestions to move the country forward towards more equality?

•What changes would you like to see in your neighborhood? The essay is open to all students in grades 7-12 in Western New York. Essays must be received by SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023 at the Frank E. Merriweather Library at 1324 Jefferson Avenue or emailed to: AAHANFWoodson@gmail.com. Your NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE #, SCHOOL, GRADE AND EMAIL must be written on your essay. No Handwritten essays will be accepted. Essay will be judged on originality and content. Limit 500 words.Cash prizes will be awarded in two categories: Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12

FIRST PRIZE$100 SECOND PRIZE - $75 THIRD PRIZE - $50

OUR STORY MATTERS: COMMUITY BLACK HISTORY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

NFTA Presents The Yaa- Asantewaa Drum and Dance Company

The Yaa-Asantewaa (aww-sin-teewah) Drum and Dance Company will be performing at the Metro Transportation Center at 181 Ellicott Street at noon Tuesday February 28. The event is free and open to the public in celebration of the many contributions African Americans have made to US history. During this month and beyond, NFTA-Metro will salute the vibrant Black legacies here on the Niagara Frontier, along with our many employees throughout the authority.

Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Honors Black History Month By Sharing The Stories We Celebrate

Tuesday, February 7

Freedom is Not Free: Letters from African American WWII Soldiers to Rev. Nash (pastor of the Michigan Street Baptist Church) – Lillie Wiley- Upshaw, Racheal Henderson, and Sharon Holley

Tuesday, February 14

Dr. Barbara Nevergold, Co-Founder of the Uncrowned Queens Institute tells the little-known story of Andrew J. Smitherman, a newspaper publisher who was a survivor and a major figure in the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. After fleeing to Buffalo, he established the Empire Star, a black community newspaper.

FRIDAY FEB. 3 LYNCHING MEMORIAL EXHIBIT:

"I spent a day walking the museum and scouting the site- it is easily an all-day exploration. Primary photography began in the evening and concluded the following morning at sunrise....For me the site is hallowed ground and represents a very dark period in our not so distant past.-Stephen Gabris

The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission’s (MSAAHCC), Executive Director, Terry Alford, proudly announces the 2023 Black History Month Event Line Up. The Black History Month Schedule Includes: BLACK HISTORY THROUGH ART SERIES

Fridays at the Nash Lofts | 163 Broadway Ave | 5 PM - 8 PM

Friday, February 3

Equal Justice Lynching Memorial Photo Exhibit by Stephen Gabris – Musical selection by Curtis Lovell Stephen will share his experience visiting this moving museum.

Friday, February 10

Alexa & Edreys Wajed

Friday, February 17

Charlotte Cardwell

Friday, February 24

Community Artists Pop-Up Exhibition – All mediums invited to share their art that tells a piece of African American History.

THERE ARE STORIES TO TELL: BLACK HISTORY MONTH TALKS

Tuesdays at the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library 1324 Jefferson Ave | 6 PM - 7 PM

The Buffalo African American Community has many stories to tell - unknown stories that provide valuable pieces of the Black History Legacy.

Tuesday, February 21- WUFO 1080 Radio Sounds of the Civil Rights Movement – Sheila Brown and Senior DJ Lee Pettigrew

Tuesday, February 28 - Colored Musicians Club Stories STREAMING: The talks will also be streamed live. Register to get a zoom link emailed to you and tune in from home! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/there-are-stories-to-tellblack-history-month-talks-tickets-522985382357 Michigan Street Heritage Corridor PODCAST on WUFO 1080 Mix 96.5

Thursday, February 16 at 2:00 pm

Listen to our Black History Radio Salute - Quotes from Great African Americans - features on WUFO Mix1080 Power95.6 Radio.

Month of February

Black History Month Tours - DISCOUNTED TOURS** IN THE CORRIDOR Call (716) 322-1002 for details

Black History Month at the Broadway Market Kicks off This Weekend

Mayor Byron W. Brown, in partnership with Buy Black Buffalo, The Bills Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and The Broadway Market, encourages City residents and visitors to support the 2023 Black History Month at the Broadway Market celebration.

Every Saturday throughout the month of February, beginning this Saturday, February 4th, participating Buy Black Buffalo retail vendors will be on site at the historic market, located at 999 Broadway, showcasing their unique products and items, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Throughout the month at the market, shoppers will receive a $25 Gift Certificate every time they make a purchase at a participating Buy Black Buffalo retail vendor.