© 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?

How Did Art Help Valentino Dixon Bring Attention to His Wrongful Conviction?

Published November 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST
Ways To Subscribe

After spending 27 years in prison for a crime, he says he did not commit, Valentino Dixon is sharing the story of his wrongful conviction, exoneration, and the artwork that helped bring attention to his case. Dixon created more than 1,000 drawings while incarcerated, including golf course artwork that attracted national media coverage. He discusses his upcoming five-part documentary, Prism and Castle, the conditions he witnessed at Attica, and plans for a new series, Prison Picasso: Inside Attica. This is a conversation about justice, resilience, art, and finding purpose after incarceration.

What's Next? 2026
Stay Connected
Latest Episodes
  • How Can Career Training and Civic Engagement Strengthen Buffalo Communities?
    How can communities create more opportunities for residents, and what motivates people to participate in our democracy? Denise Harris discusses her leadership at the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology, including free career training in health care and technology, student support services, and efforts to connect graduates with employers. Then, John Torrey examines Black voter participation, young people's political engagement, and the issues influencing voters, including affordability, jobs, housing, and government accountability.
  • What Do Buffalo Voters Need to Know About the 11 Proposed City Charter Changes?
    Buffalo voters face decisions about the city’s future and the policies that affect working families. Larry Rubin, chair of Buffalo’s Charter Revision Commission, explains 11 proposed charter changes, including measures involving council vacancies, civilian police oversight, and public input. Then, Cori Marquis of the Working Families Party discusses candidate endorsements, year-round community organizing, and policy priorities such as housing, health care, childcare, and immigrant protections.
  • How Can Community Leadership and Local Farms Build a Stronger Buffalo?
    What does it take to build stronger communities and create opportunities for the next generation? Raúl Russi reflects on his Buffalo roots, his pioneering career with the Buffalo Police Department, and his leadership of the Acacia Network, highlighting the importance of culturally competent healthcare and civic engagement. Then, we visit Providence Farm Collective with Kristin Weltman-Weiss and Hamadi Ali to explore farmer training, access to land, and efforts to help new farmers establish independent operations.
  • How Is Buffalo Working to Prevent Gun Violence and Keep Young People Safe?
    How can Buffalo prevent gun violence and create safer opportunities for young people? Dina Thompson, Max Anderson, and Megan McNally discuss Project RISE, a state-funded initiative that brings together 17 organizations to address the conditions contributing to violence.
  • How Can Small Businesses Win Bigger Contracts and Help the Next Generation Build Resilience?
    How can small businesses access major contracting opportunities, and how can children learn to overcome challenges? Talia Johnson-Huff discusses the Training Day Conference and how minority-, women-, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses can prepare for contracts, build partnerships, and grow. Then, author Duncan Kirkwood explores grit and resilience through his book, A Kids’ Book About Grit, and why helping children navigate setbacks can make a difference in their development.
  • How Can Family Support Help People Rebuild Their Lives After Incarceration?
    Jon Monsalve joins Jay Moran to discuss the Osborne Association’s Kinship Reentry Housing Program in Buffalo, which provides financial assistance and support services to eligible families. Then, Dior Lindsay-Virgil discusses Osborne Buffalo’s efforts to keep families connected during incarceration through video visits, transportation assistance, and youth mentorship.
  • How Can Music Education Change Lives, and What Stories Get Lost in the Headlines?
    Henri Muhammad discusses his lifelong commitment to music education, the impact he has made on thousands of students, and his October 16 benefit concert supporting the Muhammad School of Music. Then, Sara Kasen explores Thank You for Thinking of Me, a documentary about Deyanna Davis, her family, and the lasting consequences of Buffalo’s 2020 protests. Two conversations about the power of the arts, community, and the human stories behind the headlines.
  • Can Financial Literacy and Homeownership Help Build Wealth in Buffalo?
    How can Buffalo communities build greater financial stability and create pathways to economic opportunity? On this episode of What’s Next?, Chandra Redfern, CEO of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, discusses the growing financial pressures facing working families, the importance of accessible community services, and the center’s upcoming Building a Way Forward event featuring economic empowerment advocate John Hope Bryant. Bryant joins the conversation to discuss financial literacy, credit scores, homeownership, and strategies for building wealth and strengthening communities.
  • What Does Buffalo Need to Support Its Next Generation?
    What does Buffalo need to help young people succeed at every stage? Kasey Gustaveson discusses the city’s childcare shortage and the need for early childhood education and family support. Then, Jennifer Matarese, Sam Capitano, and Carley Hill explore a new partnership giving Buffalo students hands-on training and pathways into skilled trades careers.
  • Why Does Human Connection Matter in Therapy?
    Therapist Wayne Brown of Willow Grove Counseling joins "What’s Next?" to discuss the growing role of artificial intelligence in mental health care and why he believes human connection remains essential to therapy. We also talk about students, teachers, the impact of current events on mental health, and the importance of self-care for therapists.