© 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?

What's Next | Back-To-School Panel with BPS Students and Parents

Published September 25, 2023 at 4:17 PM EDT
Ways To Subscribe

Buffalo Public Schools have been back in session for a couple of weeks now, but days before the start of this new school year, Lorenzo Rodriguez and Thomas O’Neil White sat down with a group of students and some active parents from the district to discuss some of their concerns. The various BPS students included Innocent, Freebirth, and Sangam. The group of parents included Edward Speidel - the President of the District Parent Coordinating Council and Co-Chair of the Special Education Parents Advisory Committee, Danielle Grzymala, Co-Chair of the Buffalo Parent-Teacher Organization, and Jessica Bauer Walker, Executive Director of Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo. Transportation, school suspensions, and bullying are among the topics brought up in this back-to-school special episode of What’s Next?

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, "TDIGITIZING HISTORY:" and "#308" in black text over the red and "A SMITHSONIAN-BUFFALO COLLABORATION" in white text over the black.
    Digitizing History: A Smithsonian–Buffalo Collaboration
    The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is partnering with Buffalo’s Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor to preserve local stories and family histories. In this episode, Dr. Doretha Williams shares an update on the community curation project and why documenting everyday lives matters.
  • 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, "#312" in black text over the red and . white text reading "REFUGEES, FAMILIES AND THE POWER OF SUPPORT" over the black. photos of the episode's guests at the bottom of the image.
    Refugees, Families, and the Power of Support
    On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore two ways Western New York communities are responding to need and opportunity. We are joined by Jennifer Rizzo Choi, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo, and Alicia Stark of Child and Family Services.
  • 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 BUFFALO'S NEXT CHAPTER" in white text and "#310" in black text over the red and, then photos of Dr. Marie Cannon and Trini Ross at the bottom right corner of the image over the black.
    Building Buffalo’s Next Chapter
    Mayor elect Sean Ryan begins building his new administration, and co-chairs Dr. Marie Cannon and Trini Ross join us to discuss the work behind the transition. We explore the key issues shaping Buffalo’s future, including housing, public safety, and financial stability, and how Ryan’s vision aims to address long standing inequities with fresh, community driven solutions.
  • Gardens, Pride, and the Power of Local Leadership
    This week on What’s Next? we highlight two organizations strengthening connection, access, and belonging across Western New York: Grassroots Gardens Western New York and Niagara Pride.
  • 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, "ENTREPRENEURS & RISING #309" in black text over the red and "COMMUNITIES HEALING" in white text over the black, then photos of Tamara Zantell, Zandra Cunningham, and Dorian Withrow Jr. at the bottom of the image.
    Entrepreneurs Rising and Communities Healing
    Buffalo’s East Side is growing, creating, and healing in ways that deserve the spotlight. On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore two community-driven forces shaping that future.
  • 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, "THE HAUDENOSAUNEE AND THE ERIE CANAL:" in white text and "#308" in black text over the red and "A HIDDEN HISTORY" in white text over the black.
    The Haudenosaunee and the Erie Canal: A Hidden History
    On this episode of What’s Next? we speak with Terry Abrams, curator at the Niagara History Center, about the often-overlooked consequences of the Erie Canal on the Haudenosaunee people. Through his exhibit and public talks, Abrams invites audiences to reconsider a familiar chapter in American history and confront the deeper, more complex legacy of the Erie Canal.
  • 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 RESILIENCE TO RECOGNITION" in white text and "DR. LAGARRETT KING ON BLACK HISTORY EDUCATION #307" in black text over the red and then a photo of Dr. LaGarrett King on the right over the black.
    From Resilience to Recognition: Dr. LaGarrett King on Black History Education
    On this episode of What’s Next? we speak with Dr. LaGarrett King following his “Black Boy Joy, Black Girl Magic” conference, which brought together nearly two hundred attendees to examine the history of Black childhoods and the creativity and resilience of Black youth.
  • 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, "WESTERN NEW YORK AT WORK AND IN REFLECTION" in white text and "#306" in black text over the red and then photos of Megan Gorman and Tom Ulbrich on the right over the black.
    Western New York at Work and in Reflection
    On this episode of What’s Next? we sit down with Tom Ulbrich, President and CEO of Goodwill of Western New York, and author Megan Gorman about her latest book, All the President’s Money.
  • 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, "RESTORING JUSTIC:" in white text and "PARKER, HERITAGE, AND INDIGENIUS VOICES #305" in black text over the red and then a photo of Ely S. Parker on the right over the black.
    Restoring Justice: Parker, Heritage, and Indigenous Voices
    In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we reflect on the life of Ely S. Parker, Tonawanda Seneca leader, engineer, and Civil War officer who helped draft the surrender at Appomattox.
  • 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, "THE ART OF BECOMING: #304" in black text over the red and "BCAT STORIES OF LIFE & LEARNING" in white text over the black.
    The Art of Becoming: BCAT Stories of Life & Learning
    We return to the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) for part two of our tour. We hear contributor Ekua Mends-Aidoo, high school senior Lillyan Goines, former student Teira Newell, adult learner Giselle Akal, and Senior Program Director Charisma DuBois.