Staff

Franchelle Parker was born and raised in the City of Niagara Falls. Parker is the founding Executive Director of Open Buffalo, a nonprofit organization bringing everyday people together to learn new skills, connect with others, and become leaders in the fight against racism, poverty, and climate change in Western New York. 

Parker draws upon two decades of progressive advocacy, communications, and capacity building to empower leaders to enact lasting changes in their communities. Parker found her start as a student organizer on the campus of Buffalo State College, fighting to repeal mandatory minimum sentencing for drug sentencing. Later, she would use her degree in political science to win numerous legislative changes from the local to the national level. 

After she completed her education, Parker took her political and organizing skills to 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, where she would spend the next seven years managing the union’s communication, political and community outreach efforts. As the organization’s Western New York Communication Coordinator, Parker also traveled the country organizing for health care reform and dozens of political campaigns. Parker served as a board member for the Western New York Area Labor Federation, executive board member for Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and as President for the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Buffalo Chapter). Parker was awarded the New York State Labor Award from the New York State Association of Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislative Association.

Parker is a proud member of the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Also, she is a member of Edison Street Community Church and she serves as the secretary for the board of directors for the Buffalo Urban League, and numerous legislative commissions across New York State. Parker is a 2023-2024 Highland Fellow and she has been honored by numerous coalitions and organizations, including Erie County Citizen of the Month, the Community Service Award from the Buffalo Urban League and 2023 Buffalo Black Achievers award. Parker is the loving wife to Kenneth Parker Jr. and mother of two beautiful daughters, Kennedy and Malia.