Staff

Darryl Gaines has long believed that real change begins at the roots. As Impact Officer of Open Buffalo, he stands at the intersection of community justice, education, and empowerment, weaving together a career grounded in equity and a deep personal commitment to those often left unseen and unheard. 

A native son of Buffalo's East Side, Darryl's life work is defined by an unwavering dedication to his community. With a career spanning over two decades in youth development, nonprofit leadership, and grassroots advocacy, he has become a trusted architect of programs that uplift, educate, and mobilize. From his early tenure as Executive Director of The CRUCIAL Community Center to his Board of Directors role at Open Buffalo, Darryl's imprint can be seen in initiatives that amplify the voices of the disenfranchised, foster educational access, and promote economic justice. 

At the heart of Darryl's mission is his love for family and belief in education's transformative power. He is a devoted husband to Ayanna Gaines and a proud father to Annaya and Jailen, who inspire him daily to build a world that values dignity, equity, and opportunity for all. His leadership style is hands-on, strategic, and deeply compassionate, reflecting a man who is willing to go above and beyond to ensure that no voice is lost in the noise. 

In his role at Open Buffalo, Darryl will shape the organization's impact vision by building partnerships, advancing policy solutions, and designing programs that bring justice and possibility to those historically left out. Whether convening city stakeholders or standing shoulder-to-shoulder with residents, he is equally at home in boardrooms and block clubs. 

A gifted communicator, seasoned program coordinator, and visionary strategist, Darryl continues to challenge the status quo, ensuring representation is not a promise, but a practice. "Together we can develop a blueprint rooted in purpose and powered by love, to spark movements that ripple far beyond city limits."