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Education, Opportunity, and the Power of Community

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.

On this episode of What’s Next we explore leadership and opportunity in Buffalo’s education landscape. Jennifer Mecozzi, a candidate for re-election to the Buffalo School Board’s West District, speaks with Jay Moran about her experience on the board, the challenges of governance, and her commitment to improving student outcomes. Then we visit the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology with President and CEO Gina Burkhardt, whose team provides free academic and technical programs that help youth and adults achieve lasting success, with every high school senior earning college admission and most adult learners securing employment.

What's Next? 2025
Latest Episodes
  • This week on Group Chat, we explore the evolution of Juneteenth, from its growing presence in pop culture and corporate America to the deeper conversations about freedom, identity, and community.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, Dr. Marcus Watson, Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Buffalo State University, discusses the history of Juneteenth, its significance in the American story, and why understanding this history remains important today.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, contributor Saladin Allah speaks with Charlynn Rivera of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and Danessia Scott-Warren of the Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope about social justice, community engagement, advocacy, and civic participation.
  • On this episode of What’s Next? TaJuan Williams, author of Doscriosta, shares his personal journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and discusses the challenges of overcoming addiction, incarceration, and unresolved trauma.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore the Adult Critical Time Intervention (CTI) program and how it works to reduce homelessness, prevent rehospitalization, and connect individuals with essential services including housing, transportation, nutrition, and behavioral health treatment.
  • In the final installment of What’s Next?’s three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, the focus shifts from promises to outcomes.
  • (CORRECTION) Part two of What’s Next?’s three-part anniversary series examining the aftermath of the May 14 Tops mass shooting focuses on the distribution and impact of millions of dollars raised to support Buffalo’s East Side.
  • In part one of a three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, What’s Next? examines the nearly 100 million dollars pledged to support Buffalo’s East Side and the families impacted by the tragedy.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, Kelley Clem of Hospice Buffalo and Palliative Care Buffalo explains the differences between the two forms of care and why early intervention can improve quality of life for patients living with chronic illness.
  • On this episode of What’s Next?, Anne Ryan, Executive Director of Read to Succeed Buffalo, discusses the importance of teaching reading from birth through third grade and the impact of programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.