© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
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?

From Celebration to Movement: Juneteenth Then & Now

Published June 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
Ways To Subscribe
Group chat logo in the center surrounded by a collage of items relating to the episode's theme

Juneteenth has grown from a community celebration into a national holiday, but what happens when culture goes mainstream? 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. We also shine a spotlight on Buffalo’s historic 50th Juneteenth Celebration, discussing the legacy of the event, its impact on the community, and what freedom means in 2026.

Group Chat 2026
Stay Connected
Latest Episodes
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 355" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Can Africana Studies Teach Us About Juneteenth?", then a photo of Dr. Marcus Watson with his name underneath.
    What Can Africana Studies Teach Us About Juneteenth?
    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.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 354" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How Can Juneteenth Inspire Action Beyond Celebration?", then a photo of Charlynn Rivera and Danessia Scott-Warren with their names underneath.
    How Can Juneteenth Inspire Action Beyond Celebration?
    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.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 353" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Can We Learn from One's Survivor's Journey to Healing?", then a photo of TaJuan Williams with his name underneath.
    What Can We Learn from One Survivor’s Journey to Healing?
    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.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 352" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care?", then a photo of Molly Carr and Katie Diebold with their names underneath.
    How Is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care?
    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.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART III: WHAT HAS CHANGED?
    Where the Money Go? Part III: What Has Changed?
    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.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART II: WHERE DID (OR DIDN'T) IT GO?"
    Where Did the Money Go? Part 2: Where Did (Or Didn’t) It Go?
    (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.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART I: HOW CAN WE HELP?"
    Where Did the Money Go? Part 1: How Can We Help?
    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.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 348" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Misconceptions Do People Have About Hospice Care", then a photo of Kelley Clem with her name underneath.
    What Misconceptions Do People Have About Hospice Care
    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.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 347" in white text. then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Is Being Done to Address Literacy Challenges in Western New York", then a photo of Anne Ryan with her name underneath.
    What Is Being Done to Address Literacy Challenges in Western New York
    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.
  • What Does Accountability Look Like Four Years After May 14
    As Buffalo approaches the fourth anniversary of the May 14 Tops mass shooting, this episode of What’s Next? centers on reflection, accountability, and community dialogue.