Buffalo Youth Shine Through Video Art

Published November 18, 2015

Two vibrant new pieces of Buffalo youth artwork demand your attention.

Help to Shape PPG's 2016 Community Agenda

Published November 16, 2015

PPG Community Agenda is a blueprint to help realize their shared vision of a just, sustainable, and culturally vibrant Buffalo.

OB High Road Partners Take on Gentrification, Speculation in Fruit Belt.

Published November 16, 2015

Today, a group of 19 High Road Economic Development Table partner organizations spoke with one voice.

Back to Basics' Re-Entry Expertise Tapped in Recent Story

Published November 13, 2015

Recent news story titled "Advocates: Immediate Support Crucial For People Let Out of Federal Prison Early" featured Pastor James Giles and George BaBa Eng of Back to Basics Outreach Ministries

CEJ Brings National Day of Action to Buffalo

Published November 10, 2015

"This week was yet another exciting week for the movement to raise wages and expand workers' rights across the country."

Coming Together to Promote Peace

Published October 26, 2015

"Now we can gather at the Ray of Light Mural site and in the spaces of the Buffalo Arts Studio to provide Peace and Healing Circles to the community."

Campaign Corner: Community and Police -- Building Bridges

Published October 13, 2015

Our recently formed Justice & Opportunity Table has been convening since August.

Campaign Corner: Putting Buffalo on the High Road

Published October 13, 2015

Open Buffalo’s High Road Economic Development table continues to develop strategies to ensure that local development takes into consideration the needs of all.

Partner Spotlight: Stacey Robinson

Published October 8, 2015

Stacey Robinson is a Buffalo transplant, a powerful visual artist, and an Open Buffalo partner. In this interview, he discusses his journey, his work, and his vision for the Queen City.

Open Buffalo supports City of Buffalo Opportunity Pledge

Published October 5, 2015

Mayor Brown thanks the leadership and staff of Open Buffalo for joining individuals and organizations across Buffalo in signing the pledge.

"Ray of Light" in the News

Published September 18, 2015

Inspired by the memory of Ms. Jerald "Dee Dee" Goldsmith, the Ray of Light will serve as an artistic beacon of peace in the community surrounding Masten Park.

Partygoers Bring Skateland Mural Closer to Completion

Published September 18, 2015

The Skateland Mural Raising Party was an open, inclusive, outdoor/indoor, family-friendly, community-wide celebration of diversity.

OB Emerging Leaders off and Running!

Published September 14, 2015

Participants learned how to build campaigns for positive social change from the ground up, using their heads, hearts, and hands.

VOICE-Buffalo Settles into New Home

Published August 20, 2015

We are pleased to spread the news that our partners at VOICE-Buffalo recently started a new chapter at a new office space in the Tri-Main Center.

Partner Spotlight: Rev. Kirk Laubenstein

Published August 18, 2015

Amid the ongoing fight for economic justice, Rev. Kirk Laubenstein recently sat down with Open Buffalo to discuss his path to activism, the Fight for $15, and more.

Only 2 Weeks Left to Apply for Emerging Leaders

Published August 10, 2015

Open Buffalo’s Emerging Leaders Program is a brand new leadership development training school which aims to build a stronger Buffalo by preparing new leaders in our city.

Open Buffalo Reports Successes and Priorities

Published July 28, 2015

Allied grassroots activists converged on Massachusetts Avenue Park Tuesday morning for a press conference and community cookout.

Open Buffalo Adds Its Voice to the #CanCarl Campaign

Published July 14, 2015

Many in Buffalo are fed up with school board member Carl Paladino, and rallied to fight the systemic racism permeating our city and schools. 

Peace Circles Underway in the Erie County Correctional Facility

Published July 14, 2015

Karima Amin, Founder/Director of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., reports Restorative Justice progress in  the Alden correctional facility.

A 'High Road' Infusion for Open Buffalo

Published July 9, 2015

High Road Fellows Caro Achar and Lauren Lang speak about their backgrounds, their interests, and what drew them to spend a summer embedded in Buffalo's social justice movement.

Pastor Giles featured on "The Public Good"

Published July 8, 2015

Pastor James Giles of Back to Basics, Buffalo Peace Makers and Voice Buffalo discusses community policing in Buffalo with Sam Magavern on the Public Good.

Elisabeth Preisinger Joins Open Buffalo Staff as Program Associate

Published July 1, 2015

The Open Buffalo Program Associate is part office manager, part events coordinator, part executive assistant, part community liaison, part social networker and full-time agent for change.

Open Buffalo Coalition Calls for Immediate Passage of Fruit Belt Parking Legislation

Published June 18, 2015

Coalition of residents, community groups, and labor allies calls for immediate passage of Fruit Belt parking legislation (A.7574-A / S.5306-A)

Open Buffalo Celebrates Juneteenth

Published June 16, 2015

Beautiful weather and jubilant crowds lining Genesee Street made for a memorable Juneteenth of Buffalo 2015 Parade last Saturday.

How a Raise for Fast Food Workers Will Help WNY

Published June 4, 2015

New Innovation Lab Brief Explains How a Raise for Fast Food Workers Will Help Western New York.

Brutal Truth from Nicole Lee

Published May 18, 2015

On May 14, Nicole Lee, world-renowned human rights lawyer, returned to her hometown to give a talk at Greater Works Christian Fellowship.

Botstein Challenged and Inspired in Buffalo

Published May 11, 2015

Dr. Leon Botstein, thinker, conductor, and Bard College president, didn't disappoint in Buffalo. 

A Monumental Presentation in the Fruit Belt

Published May 5, 2015

Fruit Belt residents have drafted elements of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that would enable long-term neighborhood residents to benefit from economic development, and prevent displacement.

"Organizing for Change" with Citizen Planners

Published May 1, 2015

On Saturday, April 18, Open Buffalo presented an “Organizing for Change” workshop at One Region Forward’s Citizen Planning School. 

Innovation Lab Releases “Getting There” Report on Improving Buffalo School Attendance

Published April 14, 2015

New “Getting There" report gives up-to-date context to Buffalo’s attendance discussion and offers evidence-based proposals to turn this negative trend around.

Buffalo Dreamers at BAS Opening Night

Published March 30, 2015

Thanks to the folks who took a few moments to reflect with us at our Buffalo Dream Wall!

The #FightFor15 Occupies the Capitol

Published March 24, 2015

"Fight for 15" proponents from across New York State took to the state Capitol Building in Albany yesterday

Buffalo Poverty Research Workshop Returns Friday

Published March 21, 2015

Topics will include “Poverty, Race and Community Policing;” “Understanding the Experiences of New Americans in Buffalo;” and “An Exploration into the Lives of Chronically Homeless Women.”

Jump into "Assemblage," "Binary ConScience" and Jump Start

Published March 19, 2015

"Assemblage" and "Binary ConScience" kick off March 27 at Buffalo Arts Studio

Strategy, Inspiration, and Solidarity at Open Places Convening

Published March 17, 2015

The Open Places All-Site Convening met from February 18 through 20 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Where the Arts and Social Justice Intersect

Published March 12, 2015

New Innovation Lab reports and examine socially conscious arts groups in Erie County and look at best practices in marrying the arts and community justice work.

Join Open Buffalo & PPG for "Topdog/Underdog"

Published March 11, 2015

Join Open Buffalo and Partnership for the Public Good for a night of great theater, March 12.

Anchor Institutions and the New Economy in Buffalo

Published March 4, 2015

It is more vital than ever to have community and business aligned so that we might begin to erase the social and economic divides that have defined our city for far too long.

What it Means to "Take the High Road"

Published February 23, 2015

Open Buffalo Innovation Lab Releases Policy Briefs: "High Road Economic Development: Best Practices" and "The High Road Economy: Principles & Practices."

Adrienne Hill Joins Open Buffalo Team as Scribe

Published February 17, 2015

As Scribe, Hill aims to similarly magnify and empower the voices of those with whom Open Buffalo works.

Re-framing Race with dRworks

Published February 11, 2015

Trainers from Dismantling Racism Works empower Open Buffalo recruits with new tools of race analysis.

PPG 2015 Agenda Boosts Open Buffalo Campaigns

Published January 16, 2015

Partnership for the Public Good's 2015 community agenda includes research support for Open Buffalo campaigns.

Innovation Lab Releases New Report: Temp Work and Poverty in Buffalo

Published January 13, 2015

The shift from permanent to temporary jobs has been dramatic in recent years, and it is an important reason for the growth in economic inequality and poverty. 

Buffalo Fast-Food Workers Go on Strike, Join National "Fight for $15" Movement

Published December 12, 2014

Buffalo fast-food workers went on strike for the first time, joining the "Fight for $15" movement.

Organizing Powers Unleashed

Published December 5, 2014

Open Buffalo's rigorous Leading Change workshop weekend led social justice-minded crowd to breakthroughs and connections.

CEJ' Bus Tour brings subsidy waste to life

Published November 17, 2014

Magic School Bus Tour looks at the “good, bad, and ugly” of Western New York industrial development agencies.

Innovation Lab Releases "Talking Proud" Report

Published November 11, 2014

How does Buffalo talk about Buffalo, and what impact do our stories have on public policy?  

A Serving of "Bourbon" and Inspiration

Published October 16, 2014

Ujima recently welcomed Open Buffalo for a night of challenging and inspiring theater.

Training Session: Bring the Fight for $15 to Buffalo

Published October 6, 2014

Our partners at Coalition for Economic Justice had a successful worker mobilization training session last weekend.