© 2025 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
What’s Next?

It Is Up to Us: The Power of Truth in Understanding Our Past

Published September 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM EDT
Ways To Subscribe
Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, IT IS UP TO US" in white text and "THE POWER OF TRUTH IN UNDERSTANDING OUR PAST #291" in black text over the red, then the cover of "It Is Up To Us" documentary on the right over the black background

Today we sit down with filmmaker Stephen Rosenthal and actor Stephen McKinley Henderson to discuss their new documentary, It Is Up to Us. The film explores the impact of racism on society and why a deep understanding of history is essential for our future. Rosenthal, drawing inspiration from Heather McGhee’s book, stresses that documentaries must remain open to new information and avoid propaganda. Henderson emphasizes the importance of historical knowledge, pointing to examples such as urban renewal and lynching laws that continue to affect our communities.

What's Next? 2025
Stay Connected
Latest Episodes
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "FROM RESILIENCE TO RECOGNITION" in white text and "DR. LAGARRETT KING ON BLACK HISTORY EDUCATION #307" in black text over the red and then a photo of Dr. LaGarrett King on the right over the black.
    From Resilience to Recognition: Dr. LaGarrett King on Black History Education
    On this episode of What’s Next? we speak with Dr. LaGarrett King following his “Black Boy Joy, Black Girl Magic” conference, which brought together nearly two hundred attendees to examine the history of Black childhoods and the creativity and resilience of Black youth.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "WESTERN NEW YORK AT WORK AND IN REFLECTION" in white text and "#306" in black text over the red and then photos of Megan Gorman and Tom Ulbrich on the right over the black.
    Western New York at Work and in Reflection
    On this episode of What’s Next? we sit down with Tom Ulbrich, President and CEO of Goodwill of Western New York, and author Megan Gorman about her latest book, All the President’s Money.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "RESTORING JUSTIC:" in white text and "PARKER, HERITAGE, AND INDIGENIUS VOICES #305" in black text over the red and then a photo of Ely S. Parker on the right over the black.
    Restoring Justice: Parker, Heritage, and Indigenous Voices
    In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we reflect on the life of Ely S. Parker, Tonawanda Seneca leader, engineer, and Civil War officer who helped draft the surrender at Appomattox.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "THE ART OF BECOMING: #304" in black text over the red and "BCAT STORIES OF LIFE & LEARNING" in white text over the black.
    The Art of Becoming: BCAT Stories of Life & Learning
    We return to the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) for part two of our tour. We hear contributor Ekua Mends-Aidoo, high school senior Lillyan Goines, former student Teira Newell, adult learner Giselle Akal, and Senior Program Director Charisma DuBois.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "COMPOSTING CHANGE:" in white text and "THE COOPERATIVE WAY #303" in black text over the red and then photos of Terra Dumas and Andrew Delmonte on the right over the black.
    Composting Change: The Cooperative Way
    On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore how cooperative businesses are driving change in Western New York. Jay Moran speaks with Andrew Delmonte, Executive Director of Cooperation Buffalo, and Terra Dumas of Farmer Pirates Compost.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "EDUCATION, OPPORTUNITY, AND THE POWER OF COMMUNITY" in white text and "#302" in black text over the red and then photos of Jennifer Mecozzi and Gina Burkhardt on the right over the black.
    Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community
    On this episode of What’s Next we explore leadership and opportunity in Buffalo’s education landscape with Jennifer Mecozzi, a candidate for re-election to the Buffalo School Board’s West District, and Gina Burkhardt, the President and CEO of Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "VOICES OF HOPE AND ADVOCACY" in white text and "T#301" in black text over the red and then photos of Judy Torres and Sharon Sanford on the right over the black.
    Voices of Hope and Advocacy
    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.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "FOSTERING CHANGE:" in white text and "THERAPY THAT MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE" in black text over the red and then a photo of Carolyn Kirkwood on the right over the black
    Fostering Change: Therapy That Meets You Where You Are
    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.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "LESSONS FOR TODAY: #299" in white text over the red and "LITERACY, FAITH, AND COMMUNITY" in white text over the black, then photos of the guests placed throughout the image.
    Lessons for Today: Literacy, Faith, and Community
    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.
  • Background from left to right: red, then a vertical, thick white stripe in the middle, then black. from left to right: WN logo in the top corner, "FROM W-BIKES TO EATING WELL: #298" in black text over the red and "BUFFALO'S PATH TO A HEALTHIER FUTURE" in white text over the black
    From E-Bikes to Eating Well: Buffalo’s Path to a Healthier Future
    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.