© 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?

Buffalo, What's Next? | Common Council Forum and Representation in Theater

Published May 25, 2023 at 1:14 PM EDT
Ways To Subscribe

Some City of Buffalo Common Council elections appear to be heavily contested this election year with some districts having as many as five candidates. We’re first joined by Terri Parks from the League of Women Voters Buffalo Niagara to discuss a candidate’s forum for those running for Common Council. We’re also joined by Scott Behrand and Peter Johnson – two of the leading members of Road Less Traveled Productions. The theater ensemble has made it their mission to showcase unique stage productions while celebrating and including creatives from all walks of life. Jay Moran talks about their individual journeys through the theater world and the specific work they’re currently doing to help artists of color establish themselves as professional thespians.

Buffalo, What's Next? 2023
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, "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.
  • 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, "BUILDING BELONGING:" in white text and "REFUGEES AND RESILIENCE IN BUFFALO" in black text over the red and then a photo of Jennifer Rizzo-Choi on the right over the black
    Building Belonging: Refugees and Resilience in Buffalo
    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.
  • 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, "LEADERSHIP, #296" in black text over the red and "PRIDE, AND THE POWER OF STORYTELLING" in white text over the black
    Leadership, Pride, and the Power of Storytelling
    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.
  • 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 AND ACTION: #294" in white text over the red and "REFUGEES, COMMUNITY AND LOCAL CHANGE IN BUFFALO" in white text over the black, then photos of the guests placed throughout the image.
    Voices and Action: Refugees, Community, and Local Change in Buffalo
    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.
  • 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, "HARVESTING HOPE: #294" in black text over the red and "WHERE COMMUNITY AND PASSION GROW" in white text over the black
    Harvesting Hope: Where Community and Compassion Grow
    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.
  • 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, "REMEMBERING, HEALING, AND PREVENTING:" in white text and "THE LEGACY OF THE TRIBUTE GARDEN #293" in black text over the red, then photos of the guests placed throughout the image.
    Remembering, Healing, and Preventing: The Legacy of the Tribute Garden
    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.
  • 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 GREEN SPACES TO LEADERSHIP:" in white text and "VOICES OF CHANGE IN WNY #292" in black text over the red, then photos of the guests placed throughout the image.
    From Green Spaces to Leadership: Voices of Change in WNY
    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.