By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown heads to Harvard University Wednesday. Brown has been asked to deliver a keynote speech at the Kennedy School's annual "City Fair."
For the second time this year, Brown is heading to Harvard. In earlier January he attended the Kennedy School's conference for newly elected mayors.
But the school was so impressed with Brown, it has invited him back, and this time to be featured as a speaker.
Brown said he is very excited to return. Normally only mayors representing larger cities are asked to speak at the City Fair event.
"It is extremely prestigious. Other mayors who have addressed the City Fair are Martin O'Malley of Baltimore, Anthony Williams of Washington and Richard Daley of Chicago," said Brown. "This is an honor to be able to address the students at the University."
The Kennedy School's City Fair helps connect leaders from across the United states with graduate students from Harvard who are seeking careers in local government.
Brown said he will use the opportunity to talk about his goals and objectives to revitalize Buffalo.
"We really want to sell Buffalo. We want to tell our story, and let everyone know how promising we believe Buffalo's future is going to be," said Brown.
He added, "We will probably unveil some of the major public and private projects that are occurring in our city to encourage graduates of Kennedy and other parts of Harvard to consider interning in the city, as well as looking to Buffalo as a place to apply for employment."
Brown said he considers this a unique opportunity, not only personally, but for the entire city.
He said he will have a chance to market Buffalo and promote the positive attributes. Brown said despite negative aspects of a city control board and a tough local economy, the Kennedy school appreciated his enthusiasm for the City when he first appeared in January.