Members of Buffalo's African-American community celebrated the silver anniversary of the Annual MLK Scholarship Breakfast Monday morning.
"Some people suggests that what's happening with young black men in in the streets of American is modern day lynching," stated Nicole Lee in a WBFO News interview.
They gathered at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center downtown.
Keynote speaker Nicole Lee is a Buffalo native and attorney. Lee was part of coordinating legal protection during recent police protests in Ferguson, New York and Florida.
"Some people suggests that what's happening with young black men in in the streets of American is modern day lynching," stated Lee in a WBFO News interview.
Lee told WBFO News the country must figure out how to right the wrongs that have occurred during racial profiling and civil unrest.
"What is the country going to do to right this wrong?," questions Lee. How are we going to train our police to ensure they know how to work with young men and women of all races."
Lee said she often speaks with youth of color all across American learning they're 'terrified' of law enforcement.
"Frankly many of them are terrified of how they are going to be treated by law enforcement," said Lee. "They are terrified that a vigilante is going to kill them."
Many area dignitaries and local lawmakers attended the annual event. Among them were Buffalo's NAACP Chapter President Frank Messiah and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. http://youtu.be/5zy_XbS0lNg
This year's winner of 25th MLK scholarship presented by New Hope Baptist Church is Medaille College freshman Devine Jones. She is a veterinarian student at the school.