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Buffalo, What's Next? | Business Development, Police Reform Troubles, and Keeping the History of 5/14

Up first, Thomas O'Neil-White talks with Rob Cornelius. He's in a unique position to talk about community needs, because of his extensive work on the East side-- with Juneteenth, organizing school supply drives with Conway the Machine and is both the school coordinator at Continental School of Beauty and a KeyBank Branch Manager.

Police reform was the mantra of demonstrators and elected officials alike in the summer of 2020. And with a city that wanted change, and a police union that wanted a new contract, it was thought that the competing interests might result in a compromise that brought forth the much talked about changes. But Investigative Post reporter Geoff Kelly has found that a raise was put before an arbitrator, and agreed to without any other changes. He talks about the contract in a rescheduled visit with Dave Debo.

We end the show with a preview of Tuesday night's community meeting with the Buffalo History Museum as they start to get a sense of what people near the shooting scene would like to have them do with mementoes, stories and other parts of the history of May 14.

Latest Episodes
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, we focus on advocacy and community support for those facing trauma and health challenges in Western New York. We sit down with Judy Torres, Director of Domestic Violence Services at Hispanic United of Buffalo, and Sharon Sanford of the Sadie Strong Project.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, licensed clinical social worker Carolyn Kirkwood shares her path from foster parent to therapist, and how her work at Kirkwood Therapy is helping break generational cycles through culturally informed care.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore how literacy and storytelling are shaping stronger, more connected communities as we are joined by Tara Schafer of Literacy Buffalo Niagara, Randall Hoak from Erie County Senior Services, and Phil Davis and Monique Cunningham of FBE Productions.
  • Today we spotlight two local efforts driving community wellness in Buffalo: Clean Mobility Buffalo’s East Side Forward: Full Charge Ahead with Kim LaVare, and Food is Medicine Symposium with Beth Machnica and Purnima Mohan.
  • Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, joins Jay Moran to discuss how national policy shapes refugee resettlement and what it means for families arriving in Western New York.
  • Today on What’s Next? we hear from Dr. Allana M. Krolikowski, the new CEO of Jericho Road Community Health Center, on her vision for advancing health equity in Buffalo. We also celebrate Niagara Pride’s fifth anniversary and preview Storytelling With Courage.
  • On today’s episode of What’s Next? we hear from Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, about how the Presidential Determination is shaping refugee resettlement and the impact on local agencies. Later, host Naila Ansari Catilo sits down with Leighton Jones from Our Action City Buffalo and Jon Torrey, professor at Buffalo State University, to talk about the effects of a recent bill on local communities.
  • Today, we return to the fields with Providence Farm Collective to see how they’re moving forward and staying strong after recent funding cuts. Then, we speak with Andrew Delmonte from Cooperation Buffalo and Terra Dumas, co-founder of Farmer Pirates Composte. And later, Carolyn Kirkwood of Kirkwood Therapy joins us.
  • On today’s show, we reflect on the 10th anniversary of the Tribute Garden at Isle View Park, a space created to honor victims of intimate partner violence and to bring awareness to the issue across our community.
  • On this episode of What’s Next? We hear from Dr. Jennifer Roberts, a Buffalo native and University of Maryland professor, then team visits Providence Farm Collective for a tour of their site. And we close with Duncan Kirkwood, Director of the Center for Resiliency.