Buffalo, What’s Next?

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Buffalo, What’s Next? unapologetically confronts the reasons why the May 14 mass shooting occurred in Buffalo. Each hour-long episode is hosted by WBFO News Director Dave Debo, WBFO Managing Editor Brigid Jaipaul-Valenza, and WBFO Morning Edition Host Jay Moran, and will amplify voices that have traditionally been marginalized. The show provides a forum for open, honest, and candid conversations about what happened, what’s next, and what role each of us can play in solving the problems that caused it.The show is broadcast live on air from 10am to 11am Monday through Friday, and airs again at 9pm on WBFO. It is also available digitally through WBFO’s website, apps and as a podcast.Listeners can participate by using the "Talk to Us" feature in the WBFO mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices. Open the app and scroll to the bottom bar where the "Talk to Us" button allows listeners to send audio recordings straight to the newsroom.

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    • Jun 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 56m AVG DURATION
    • 548 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Buffalo, What’s Next?

    From Buffalo to Knoxville: Voices at Southern Fried

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2025 55:29


    Southern Fried is one of the largest spoken word and performance poetry competitions in the world. Founded in 1993, it's rooted in storytelling, soul, and Southern hospitality.

    Buffalo Mayoral Race: Anthony Tyson Thompson Joins the Conversation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 55:29


    On today's show we bring in another voice from this year's Buffalo mayoral election. We welcome Anthony Tyson Thompson, a Buffalo native leader and one of the five candidates on the Buffalo Democratic primary ballot.

    Black Opera Comes to Buffalo: A Conversation with Jaman Dunn-Danger

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 55:00


    On today's show, we're joined by conductor and educator Jaman Dunn-Danger, a Black, queer artist leading Joshua's Boots, a work by acclaimed composer Adolphus Hailstork this weekend at First Shiloh Baptist Church.

    The Remembrance Conference 2025: Confronting Gun Violence Through Medicine and Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 55:29


    On today's show, we explore the upcoming Remembrance Conference 2025, a two-day joint event hosted by the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, and the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University.

    Breaking the Cycle: Rethinking School Suspensions in Buffalo

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 55:29


    On today's episode, we welcome three members of Buffalo's Solutions Not Suspensions Coalition, which aims to shed light on the long-standing problems with the suspension system affecting Buffalo Public Schools students and families.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: Niagara Pride & Postproduction Diversity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 59:29


    On today's edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we bring you two segments from episodes that aired this week.

    Producer's Picks: Black Identity, Mental Health, and Arts Representation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 59:29


    On today's edition of Producer's Picks, we bring you segments from three standout previous episodes.

    Uplifting Working-Class Voices & Diversifying the Media Landscape

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 55:29


    On today's episode, we welcome back India Walton, and we take a look at Buffalo State's Post-Production Diversity Initiative, which aims to increase representation in the post-production media field.

    Pride in Every Corner: Niagara Pride's Work Across WNY

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 55:29


    On today's show we welcome back two familiar voices from Niagara Pride: President and Co-Founder Ronald Piaseczny, and Programming Chair Sherry Fossett. Niagara Pride is a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the LGBTQIA2S+ community across Niagara County and Western New York. Their mission? To create a region where everyone, individuals and families alike, can feel safe, supported, and celebrated in every space they occupy, from home to workplace, places of worship, and beyond. This grassroots organization is working hard to make Pride more visible and more accessible, especially in rural communities that often get overlooked. Ronald and Sherry join Jay Moran to share what's coming up — including the Pride Flag Raising Across Niagara County on May 30, and Niagara Pride's participation in the Buffalo Pride Parade on June 1.

    Remembering May 14th: Youth & Elder Voices - The Future of Social Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 55:29


    This week, we are proud to bring you special programming on remembering the May 14th Tops Massacre. In our final installment, we bring you a conversation on the future of social justice by listening to both the voices of elder advocates, and younger ones beginning to take up the mantle of taking on issues.

    Remembering May 14th: Policy, Advocacy & Systemic Change

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 55:29


    This week, we are proud to bring you special programming on remembering the May 14th Tops Massacre. In today's installment, we take a deep dive into policy, advocacy, and systemic change through two conversations.

    Remembering May 14th: East Side Development & Food Injustice

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 55:29


    This week, we are proud to bring you special programming throughout the week on remembering the May 14th Tops Massacre. In today's installment, we break down economic empowerment on the East Side of Buffalo and food injustice throughout the region.

    Remembering May 14: Processing Trauma and Building Resilience

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 55:29


    This week, we are proud to bring you special programming throughout the week on remembering the May 14 Tops mass shooting. In today's installment, we analyze mental health and healing from the tragedy, as well as processing trauma and building resilience.

    Remembering May 14th: Honoring Lives Lost & Community Reflections

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 55:00


    This week, we are proud to bring you special programming throughout the week on remembering the May 14th Tops Massacre. In today's installment, we focus on remembering the lives lost and reflecting on the East Side Community.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: Providence Farm Collective & Africa History

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 59:29


    On this edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we revisit two standout conversations: one with Hamadi Ali, Markets Manager at Providence Farm Collective, and Executive Director Kristin Heltman-Weiss, and another with Emmanuel Kulu, an African Historian and Author.

    Walking Each Other Home & Walking Through Solutions Wednesdays

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 55:29


    On today's episode, we bring you two new conversations. First, we welcome John Masoulonis, the author of “Walking Each Other Home”. Next, we welcome back Deja Middlebrook and LaShawn Davis of Walking Through Solutions LLC.

    Reclaiming the Past: Teaching African History and Unity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 55:29


    On today's episode, we discuss the importance of African history and the gaps seen in education on the topic. We welcome Emmanuel Kulu, an African historian and author.

    Rooted in Resilience: Providence Farm Collective's New Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 55:29


    On today's episode, we speak with Providence Farm Collective; the only nonprofit in Western New York that directly supports communities with access to rural farmland, farming and business education, technical assistance, markets, and the opportunity to farm for income.

    Producer's Picks of the Week featuring Poetry Conversation, Nina and Terry Heard, Dr. Doretha Williams, and Terry Alford

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 59:29


    On this edition of Producer's Pick of the Week, we revisit three conversations. First, we revisit a conversation on poetry in Buffalo with Aitina Fareed-Cooke, Jillian Hanesworth, Dallas Taylor, and Maria Ta. The four collectively discuss the history and importance of the Poet-Laureate position and how Buffalo poets shape the region's culture. Then we revisit Naila's conversation with Nina and Terry Heard, the founders of Friends for a Better Buffalo and the organizers of the Excellence in Education Awards. And we close out with Saladin Allah's conversation with Dr. Doretha Williams, Director of the Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Terry Alford, the Executive Director of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor.

    Sacred Heart's Day of Sharing & Curating African American History

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 55:30


    On today's episode, we attend the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart's annual Day of Sharing. The event this year focused on refugees. The two interview attendees of the event, and dive deep into the workshops that were featured. Next, we discuss an exciting initiative between the two groups that is set to take place in May 2026.

    Inspiring Excellence: Uplifting Educators at the 6th Annual Excellence in Education Awards

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 55:29


    On today's show, we dive into the 6th Annual Excellence in Education Awards. The event, which is hosted by Friends for a Better Buffalo, honors educators for their contributions and recognizes their efforts beyond the classroom.

    Buffalo's Poetic Legacy: A Conversation with the City's Poets Laureate

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 55:29


    On today's show, we bring you a special conversation on poetry in Buffalo. We welcome Aitina Fareed-Cooke, and Jillian Hanesworth, the Poet-Laurate and Poet-Laurate Emeritus of Buffalo.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: Justice, Immigration Policy, and the Gender Pay Gap in Erie County

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 59:29


    On this edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we revisit three conversations: one with Geraldine Pointer, Terrance Pointer, and James Coughlin, another with Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, and finally Karen King, Cathy Creighton, and Rusty Weaver.

    Black Buffalo Speaks: Connecting Voices

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 55:29


    Today, we explore the "Black Buffalo Speaks" event, a student-curated Africana Studies conference at Buffalo State University that aims to foster community, conversation, and action, with a diverse lineup of speakers representing various aspects of black culture and history.

    Acknowledging Barriers: Gender Pay Disparities in Erie County

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 56:29


    Today, we take a look at a report that breaks down the gender pay gap in Erie County as we welcome Karen King, Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, and two members of Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations Buffalo Co-Lab.

    Redefining Welcome: The Effect of Federal Immigration Policies on WNY

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 55:29


    Today, we welcome back Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, the Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, and analyze how recent immigration policy changes at the federal level have impacted the region.

    Justice for Geraldine and Martin: Examining Buffalo in 1967

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 59:00


    In 1967, Geraldine Pointer and Martin Sostre were arrested after being accused of selling drugs and weapons out of the bookstore they operated on Jefferson Avenue. 57 years later, there is still an ongoing movement to exonerate the two of the charges.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: Hunger Relief, Women in Construction, and Black Maternal Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 59:00


    O this edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we feature three previous conversations: Dr. Jennifer Roberts and Catherine Shick, Jillian Penkin, and Eileen Kineke.

    Black Maternal Health & Visual Storytelling in Buffalo

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 55:29


    On today's show, we bring you two new conversations. First, we dive into the topic of Black maternal health. We welcome Eileen Kinecke, the Director of Prenatal and Infant Community Health at the P3 Center at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. She sits down with Jay Moran to discuss the upcoming fourth annual uplifting Black Maternal Health event. Next, Maria Ta sits down with Pat Cray, a Buffalo-based photographer who documents the city's diverse neighborhoods and cultures. The two discuss the importance of preserving local history through visual storytelling and the value of representation in the arts and media.

    Scammed: Unpacking Financial Crimes in the Digital Age

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 48:50


    We welcome Nicole Clifton, a local financial crimes expert of 20 years, and Dr. Cynthia Stewart, a Program Manager for the UB Center of Information Integrity and Executive Director for the Deception Awareness and Resilience Tools (DART) platform.

    Addressing Food Insecurity & Advancing Women in Construction

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 55:00


    We welcome Dr. Jennifer Roberts, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, Catherine Shick, Public Relations Manager for FeedMore WNY, and Jillian Penkin, Founder of Penkin Consulting and the Northeast Regional Director of the National Association for Women in Construction.

    Marching for Change | The Buffalo United Rally

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 52:10


    Today we welcome Victory Ross, a Community Coordinator for the Western New York Peace Center, Win Min Thant, Director of the Crossroads Coalition, and Mike Hogan, a Business Manager for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. to discuss the motivation behind the Buffalo United March.

    Leadership in Transition: Dr. Bonita Durand on Buffalo State's Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 52:39


    Today, we welcome Dr. Bonita Durand, who is currently serving as the interim president of Buffalo State University, to discuss the institution's unique approach to education, the importance of balancing liberal arts with professional training, and how Buffalo State plans to navigate potential changes in federal education funding.

    Unlocking Housing Access: Zoning and Affordability in Erie County

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 51:29


    We welcome back Dr. Jason Knight, an Associate Professor in Buffalo State's College of Government, Planning, and Philosophy. He recently published a report called "Developing Opportunity: Aligning Zoning with Affordable Housing Needs".

    Compassion in Action: Catholic Charities of Buffalo on Meeting Community Needs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 50:58


    Today, we take a closer look at Catholic Charities of Buffalo—a cornerstone of support for the WNY region, serving over 147,000 individuals and families in eight counties annually. We welcome Deacon Steve Schumer and Molly Ann Oliver, the CEO and COO of Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

    100 Years from Mississippi | Legacy, Healing and Forgiveness

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 54:21


    On today's show, we bring you the panel discussion that was held after a screening of the film “100 Years from Mississippi”. Moderated by Executive Producer of What's Next, Charles Gilbert, the panel features Tarabu Kirkland, Aitina Fareed-Cooke, and Dr. Janice Ferguson.

    The East Side Transformation Project with Dr. Henry Louis-Taylor

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 52:03


    We analyze the East Side Neighborhood Transformation Project. Led by Dr. Henry Louis-Taylor Jr., the project aims to address issues surrounding the Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood through community land trusts, cooperative housing, and a multi-sector approach to neighborhood development.

    Road to Reform: Mental Health Advocates Take the Fight to Albany

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 55:59


    Recently, WBFO Disability reporter Emyle Watkins went on the road to cover a group of advocates as they made their way from Buffalo to Albany to challenge topics such as involuntary treatment, Kendra's Law, and more.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: Downtown Buffalo and The Sheconomy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 59:59


    On this week's edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we highlight two standout segments from the previous week: one on how the COVID-19 Pandemic altered downtown Buffalo, and a conversation with Mary Kate Loftus and Lauren Schellinger from Impressia Bank.

    Banking on Women | Unlocking the Sheconomy's Full Potential

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 55:59


    The women's economy is expanding at twice the rate of other businesses, yet traditional banks and fintech institutions are still falling short in addressing the needs of the rapidly growing sheconomy. Why is that?

    Downtown Buffalo's Future: Redevelopment, Housing, and Post-Pandemic Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 55:59


    On today's episode, we dive into the transformation and the challenges facing downtown Buffalo with Bob Shibley, the former dean of UB's School of Architecture and Planning, and Jake Schneider, an entrepreneur and developer of multiple downtown projects.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: Workforce Training, Africana Studies, and The Buffalo Urban League

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 59:59


    On this week's edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we revisit conversations with Glenn Aronow, Bukola Morgan, Susan McCartney, Dr. Marcus Watson, and Thomas Beauford.

    Leadership, Policy Shifts, and Community Impact with the Buffalo Urban League

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 55:59


    Today, we key in on the recent work of the Buffalo Urban League and welcome Thomas Beauford Jr., the President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, to discuss the unique challenges faced by different Urban League affiliates.

    The Future of Africana Studies in Today's Climate

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 55:59


    Today we focus on the importance and challenges of Africana Studies in the current political climate as we welcome back Dr. Marcus Watson, an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Africana Studies at Buffalo State.

    Building a Stronger Workforce: Supporting Small Businesses & Job Growth in WNY

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 55:59


    We examine workforce and small business development initiatives in Western New York, as well as the need for collaboration and support to help individuals and businesses thrive.

    Producer's Picks of the Week: History, Compassion, and Financial Literacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 59:59


    On this week's edition of Producer's Picks of the Week, we revisit conversations with Ekua Mends-Aidoo, Dr. Barbara Seals-Nevergold, Lauren Kausner, & Tala Harden, Mark Baetzhold & Marthe Limage, and Justin Hawkins.

    Financial Literacy and Leading the New York Liberty | Two Success Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 55:59


    We welcome Justin Hawkins, a financial literacy educator who teaches credit strategies, and Keia Clarke, the CEO of the WNBA's New York Liberty. Clarke is a 2003 alumnus of Canisius University and will be the keynote speaker in the upcoming Women's Leadership Summit.

    Facing Challenges, Finding Hope: Heart, Love and Soul's Impact in Niagara Falls

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 55:59


    We discuss the topic of homelessness in Niagara Falls by diving into the work of Heart, Love and Soul, a non-profit community-based organization that has provided services to the area since 1983.

    A Shot Rang Out: Uncovering Buffalo's Connection to the Tulsa Race Massacre

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 55:59


    On today's episode, we discuss “A Shot Rang Out”, a documentary that dives into the historical context of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

    The Future is Our Canvas: Exploring Art, Culture, and Empowering Young Creatives

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 55:30


    We dive into the realm of artistic creativity, cultural representation, and youth education. We welcome Jalen Law, Buffalo-based artist and educator, who recently finished his mural "The Future is Our Canvas" for the NFTA Black History Month contest.

    Leading Buffalo: Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon's Mission for a Full Term

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 55:59


    In our final installment,, of our sit-down series with the major candidates, we hear from the person currently leading City Hall. We welcome Chris Scanlon, the Acting Mayor of the City of Buffalo.

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