Buffalo, NY – As Black History Month festivities wrap up in the City of Buffalo, Mayor Byron W. Brown today recognized local African Americans who have made significant contributions to the Buffalo community. The small gathering of honorees and their families took place in the Office of the Mayor at Buffalo City Hall. This year’s award categories were as follows: Arts, Business, Community, Education, Law, Youth.
“It’s always a pleasure to recognize the immeasurable contributions Black Buffalo residents have made throughout our city’s history,” said Mayor Brown. “Buffalo has been shaped by countless African American Leaders who have, and continue, to fight for equity and inclusion. This month, we recognize our city’s powerful history, while reaffirming our efforts to continue to build a place where everyone can thrive, across both racial lines and different backgrounds.”
He continued, “Throughout the month of February, we highlighted a number of outstanding African Americans, including the participating vendors who hosted retail pop-ups on Saturdays throughout the month at the Broadway Market, in partnership with Buy Black Buffalo. Today I ask all residents to celebrate Buffalo’s Black history beyond February by patronizing all of our great Black-owned businesses and restaurants in Buffalo. Finally, my congratulations to this year’s Black History Award Recipients. Thank you for embracing our city’s remarkable African American heritage and for the positive impact you’ve made and continue to make on our community.”
At today’s event, Mayor Brown recognized the following awardees for their outstanding work in the following categories.
Thembi Duncan
Director of Arts Engagement and Education at Shea’s Performing Arts Center
Sam P. Davis, Esq
Rev. Timothy Newkirk
Pastor of Grace Youth Camp (GYC) Ministries and CEO of the Community Action Coalition, Inc.
Dr. Cassandra Wright
Associate Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools
The Honorable Craig Hannah
Chief Judge of the Buffalo City Court and Supervising Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of New York
Rev. Tommy McClam
Senior Director of Say Yes Buffalo’s ‘Boys and Men of Color & Scholar Mentoring Initiative’
Donald Pettiway, III
City Honors Student and Community Volunteer
Pastor Timothy Brown
Senior servant of two ministries, and one church and serves as the President of Baptist Minister Conference of Buffalo and Vicinity
The event also featured music by Singer and Song Writer Bessie Patterson. Today’s awards ceremony rounds out a month of celebrations in which the Brown Administration highlighted a number of local African American achievements, including Feb Fest 2022 @ The Market. The Brown Administration and the Buy Black Buffalo initiative teamed up with The Broadway Market for the First annual “Feb Fest.” This event took place every Saturday in February and featured unique retail pop-up shops from black owned businesses. The final event is this Saturday, February 26th.