Open Buffalo was established in 2014 as a response to a call from Buffalonians who demanded a city that is equal, just, and free. Four grassroots organizations - Coalition for Economic Justice, Partnership for the Public Good, PUSH Buffalo, and VOICE-Buffalo - engaged in a broad-reaching community process to shape an innovative answer forward. This process led to the creation of Open Buffalo as a non-profit organization to help realize this vision for our city. Since then, Open Buffalo has catalyzed a community movement in Buffalo for social and economic justice.
Fun was had by all at the annual event.
One month after the May 14 Tops terrorist attack, Open Buffalo provides an update on the ongoing recovery efforts and offers gratitude for widespread support.
Open Buffalo stands steadfast to our commitment to achieve racial equity in Buffalo.
At Open Buffalo's third annual Sankofa celebration, we took time to revisit our recent accomplishments and reconnect with our friends, partners, and allies. Learn More
On November 20, Youth Action held a youth-led Q&A with four panelists from the community and the City of Buffalo.
The Color Run, hosted by Open Buffalo’s Youth Action on Saturday, July 31, was an engaging, fun-filled event for the community.
Sponsoring Councilmember Ulysees O. Wingo Sr. joins Open Buffalo and other concerned community stakeholders in calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring critical voting rights legislation for a vote in the U.S. Senate.
On Saturday, May 8, Open Buffalo’s Youth Action (YA) hosted a “Save our Children” Community Town Hall. The YA leaders wanted to raise awareness around the narrative that labels missing children of color as “runaways” and how amber alerts are racialized.
On Saturday, May 1, Open Buffalo hosted a “Know Your Rights” Cookout at Martin Luther King Jr. Park for the community to celebrate the passing of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) and learn what work still needs to be done!
Recently Enacted Marijuana Reforms Represent Significant Racial Equity Advancement for the People of New York State. Learn More
Though training, diligence, and teamwork, Open Buffalo youth workers engaged and empowered thousands of people this summer.
Open Buffalo Exceeds 10,000 Reusable Masks Distributed with MLK Park Pop-Up Today.
Juneteenth 2020 - A message from E.D. Franchelle Parker
Buffalo, N.Y. (April 30, 2020) – Open Buffalo and FB Community Land Trust have teamed up to help already struggling city neighborhoods being further impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis. Protective masks, nutritious food, and home disinfectants are among the products residents will receive.
While it is speculated that we haven’t seen the worst of COVID-19, I am confident we haven’t seen the best of what our community will do during these times.
The event marked an important transition point for the organization that was established in 2014.
After five years of social justice advancement in Buffalo, Open Buffalo is poised to take itself to a new level by launching a new three-year strategic plan, a new mission, and a new vision to advance racial, economic, and ecological justice.
This year marks the beginning of early voting for New Yorkers. OB staff and volunteers have launched an initiative to educate voters about important changes to voting rights and access to the polls.
Open Buffalo was invited to join the conference.
In early September, 100 individuals came together for Open Buffalo’s Justice Leadership Institute (JLI), the organization’s largest ever training event. Learn More
Check out the video recap of our 2019 'Restoration & Reclamation' event in April. Learn More
Open Buffalo celebrates the passage of new state laws to advance marijuana decriminalization and climate protections, the central campaigns of the organization’s 2019 legislative platform. As a regional movement leader for Western New York, Open Buffalo has invested in community education and coalition-building on statewide advocacy issues to advance its core work for racial, economic, and ecological justice.
Open Buffalo's second annual Movement Morning was an occasion to celebrate the transformative impact of the organization’s last five years, and to look with anticipation to our course forward. Learn More
Open Buffalo applauds Mayor Byron Brown’s announcement that he will direct the BPD to de-prioritize low-level marijuana possession enforcement, a policy shift championed through the Open Buffalo Justice & Opportunity Coalition’s #BuffaloLLEP campaign (November 2017 through February 2019).
The mayor’s new stance reflects the #BuffaloLLEP mobilization for reform in community forums and petitions from local residents, original action-oriented research, and direct discussions with city policy-makers.
Open Buffalo honored 35 outstanding individuals and marked two milestones for the Leadership Development division as a whole: graduating our 100th Emerging Leader and 1st class of Democracy Fellows.
On Saturday, December 8, 2018, Open Buffalo honored 35 outstanding individuals who successfully graduated as Emerging Leaders and Democracy Fellows. With more than 175 friends, relatives, and allies in attendance, Open Buffalo’s 2018 Graduation Day highlighted both cohorts as changemakers who will inspire, organize, and innovate for the future of their communities. This year’s gathering also marked two incredible milestones for Open Buffalo’s Leadership Development division as a whole: the graduation of our 100th Emerging Leader and first class of Democracy Fellows.
Open Buffalo welcomed the return of Climbing PoeTree for a free community performance that inspired and energized all in attendance.
Thirty leaders hail from a number of neighborhoods in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and each one is committed to bringing about real change in our communities and breaking the cycles of oppression. Learn More
Have you heard? Open Buffalo has officially moved! We are starting a new chapter in the historic Jefferson Avenue corridor. Our new headquarters is 1327 Jefferson Ave., Upper, Buffalo, NY.
Come and see us.
Open Buffalo's Emerging Artist Series uplifts underrepresented artists and communities in our city and increases public access to the arts. Muhammad Zaman, an urban artist specializing in calligraphy, opens his exhibition “Lux” through the series, centering on his experience as a Muslim man living and working in the United States. His canvas paintings utilize his three languages of Arabic, Bengali, and English to explore identity and inspire cross-cultural understanding.
May 15 fundraiser was a time to take stock of progress and lay groundwork for an even brighter future. Learn More
Through sustained advocacy, Open Buffalo and partners move the Buffalo Common Council to create the first community-led Police Advisory Board.
Dr. Danielle Johnson of Open Buffalo’s Justice & Opportunity Coalition is named to the new 11-member body, made up of Buffalo city residents.
OB Justice & Opportunity partners commend this important step towards police accountability, a policy recommendation of our 2016 report with PPG and advocacy work with many community organizations. The Buffalo Police Department ‘Strike Force’ has been responsible for many complaints of police misconduct and illegal action, including unnecessary or excessive use of force, unconstitutional traffic checkpoints, and more. Justice & Opportunity partners reiterate the need for full-scale community policing reform in Buffalo.
Land trust will empower Fruit Belt residents to determine and design the future of their neighborhood. Learn More
Two dozen individuals graduate, empowered and inspired to improve Buffalo. Learn More
Hill is a well-respected authority on culture, politics, and education, as well as the author of a New York Times Best Seller. Learn More
Weekend was not only a time to bond with fellow participants, but also an opportunity to reflect and meditate on the reasons why we feel called to fight for the betterment of Buffalo. Learn More
We welcomed a warm and engaged crowd of poets, musicians, spoken word artists, and community-minded souls for an evening of expression, healing, celebration, and movement-building. Learn More
On April 28, 2017, we were proud to help Buffalo-based visual artist Julia Douglas celebrate the opening of her first solo exhibition, titled “Tinted.” Learn More
New Profile of Buffalo Highlights Dramatic Inequities and Opportunities to Reverse Them. Learn More
Concerned people of Buffalo demand and deserve a swift and painstakingly transparent inquiry into the death of a civilian after an encounter with the Buffalo Police Department. Learn More
Climbing PoeTree is a duo of longtime “soul sisters” whose voices and rhythmic creations have touched justice movements around the globe. Learn More
Calls for Collaboration, Communication, and Community-Building Learn More
"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." Learn More
This week, we were proud to recognize the work of our first social justice-themed photography class, “VISIONS: A Photographic Journey in Social Justice.” Learn More
Open Buffalo kicked off the 2016 session of Emerging Leaders on Friday, Sept. 9, officially marking the 2nd year of the program. Learn More
Between July 18 and 22, Open Buffalo held its first “Justice and Opportunity Week” — five days of free community discussions, performances, and workshops throughout the city of Buffalo. Learn More
At Press Event/Community Cookout, Allied Groups Outline Proposal for Community Control and Revitalization of Hundreds of Vacant Lots in the Historic Fruit Belt Neighborhood. Learn More
The open house marked the opening of our new space and was an opportunity to welcome the new additions to our staff. Learn More
Collective's kickoff effort is a campaign to pass NY Renews climate justice reforms in Albany. Learn More
Survey kickoff gathering was packed with energized residents, ready to make changes in our city. Learn More
Taxpayers, advocates declare support for enforcement of new Pay Equity Policy before ECIDA Board meeting. Learn More
“NY Renews” campaign for good jobs, healthy communities, and 100% clean energy launches with support from over 40 community, labor, and environmental groups. Learn More
Community-builders from all sides of Buffalo made up leadership development program’s inaugural class. Learn More
Participants learned how to build campaigns for positive social change from the ground up, using their heads, hearts, and hands. Learn More
Allied grassroots activists converged on Massachusetts Avenue Park Tuesday morning for a press conference and community cookout. Learn More
Karima Amin, Founder/Director of Prisoners Are People Too, Inc., reports Restorative Justice progress in the Alden correctional facility. Learn More
Coalition of residents, community groups, and labor allies calls for immediate passage of Fruit Belt parking legislation (A.7574-A / S.5306-A) Learn More
Beautiful weather and jubilant crowds lining Genesee Street made for a memorable Juneteenth of Buffalo 2015 Parade last Saturday. Learn More
On May 14, Nicole Lee, world-renowned human rights lawyer, returned to her hometown to give a talk at Greater Works Christian Fellowship. Learn More
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. Learn More
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. Learn More
Buffalo fast-food workers went on strike for the first time, joining the "Fight for $15" movement. Learn More
Open Buffalo's rigorous Leading Change workshop weekend led social justice-minded crowd to breakthroughs and connections. Learn More
Open Society Foundations announces Buffalo is one of three sites selected for funding in the Open Places Initiative. Learn More
Open Buffalo releases a new report, Alarming Disparities: The Disproportionate Number of African American and Hispanic People in Erie County Criminal Justice System. Learn More
Open Buffalo releases a new report, The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus: A High Road Strategy to Maximize the Community’s Benefit. Learn More