Explore every episode of the podcast The Public Good
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communities Not Cages: Sentencing Reform for Justice | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:32:40 | |
We continue to examine the criminal justice system this week through the lens of sentencing reform. Currently, Communities Not Cages seeks to right the wrongs of the lingering effects of the War on Drugs and crack down on crime in the late 80s and through the 90s by offering incarcerated people a chance at restoration and freedom. The Marvin Mayfield Act, the Earned Time Act and the Second Look Act remove the incentive for judges to hand down lengthy sentences, create opportunity to have a resentencing hearing while facing endless time in prison and reward rehabilitation and provide personal growth opportunities for those thrown into the system.
To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Treatment Not Jails: The Case for Harm Reduction and Holistic Court Systems | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:30:23 | |
Through the decades our society has faced crisis after crisis: The Crack Epidemic, 2008 Financial Crisis, the Opioid Crisis, COVID-19 and innumerable events have directly impact the economic, social and emotional health of everyday people. The criminal justice system in New York State sought to create a pathway in the court system to address mental health and substance abuse issues proliferating case after case, through the creation of Treatment Courts. However, the implementation of these court systems have not been uniform across municipalities. As a result, people are forced into unfair plea agreements and unsustainable treatment programs. On this episode of The Public Good, Sophie Feal of Legal Aid Bureau of Western New York of the Holistic Representation Unit, discusses advocacy efforts to standardized harm reduction principles and create wider accessibility of treatment courts in New York State. Tune in to join the discussion! To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Electrify Buffalo's Municipal Vehicles | 02 Oct 2024 | 00:28:42 | |
In this episode, we talk to Richard Steinberg and Sara Schultz of Sierra Club Niagara about their proposal to electrify the City of Buffalo's vehicles. Electrifying our municipal vehicles will save the city money, improve residents' health, and will help reduce the greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change. To learn more about our work, visit our website a ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| The Home Within | 24 Sep 2024 | 00:27:42 | |
On this episode, Hagar Hafez from the New York Immigration Coalition and Hy Carrel from Community Canvases discuss The Home Within, a multilingual poetry and arts event at the Buffalo History Museum on Thursday, October 10, 6-9 p.m., to celebrate Buffalo’s rich language tapestry and language justice. The event culminates a series of writing and poetry workshops that brought together immigrant writers, artists, and community members to explore the connections between language and home and find common threads in their stories, self-expression, and community and political advocacy. To learn more about our work, visit our website a ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Igniting Hope 2024 | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:27:54 | |
Samantha Hidalgo from the Buffalo Center for Health Equity and Chantazia "Shay" Bronson from the UB Community Health Equity Research Institute joined us on The Public Good to talk about their upcoming Igniting Hope conference. On September 21, this free annual conference on health equity will focus on Building an Environmentally Just Community, bringing together local residents, advocates, and health and medical researchers for keynote talks and breakout sessions on community issues. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Real Talk Bridges | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:28:05 | |
How are we engaging and creating safe third spaces for youth? What is true youth leadership? Join us on this epsiode where RealTalk discusses their upcoming Teen Block Party Empowerment Fest on September 1st from 3PM-8PM at Johnnie B Wiley Stadium. Learn more about the work RealTalk and thenatural_hustle #TEENSWHOCARE are doing to activate and empower young people in Buffalo. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Song of Myself: Whitman in Buffalo and the Calamus Project | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:28:31 | |
On this special episode of The Public Good, we introduce Whitman, Buffalo a celebration of poetry and community. Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) and the Calamus Project worked with filmmaker Steve Rosenthal to film representatives from 20 PPG partner organizations doing three things: describing themselves and their work; talking about PPG’s 20 principles (eight assets and twelve challenges facing Buffalo); and reciting a passage from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself.” “Song of Myself” is one of the world’s greatest poems. In an earthy, open style, Whitman celebrates democracy, love, and radical inclusion. Since its first publication in 1855, “Song of Myself” has moved people all over the world with its radiant vision and “barbaric yawp.” Whitman, Buffalo was inspired by Whitman, Alabama: a project of filmmaker Jennifer Crandall, who will be visiting Buffalo this fall as part of the exhibition “Embracing Earth: Burchfield & Whitman” at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Next Generation Leaders featuring PPG's Summer 2024 Interns | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:30:23 | |
On this episode of The Public Good, we speak to our Summer 2024 PPG interns on "Next Gen Leaders." Every summer and throughout the year PPG welcomes interns from universities, community or grassroots movements to experience public policy, research and advocacy in a new way. We strive to include younger generations into creative approaches for shifting historically flattened and sanitized governance. Through this lens, our interns speak on the lessons they have learned working with PPG throughout the summer, how their experience impacts their worldview and how they will continue their own paths of leadership in the future. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| The Privilege of Voice: Expanding Language Access Through The Arts | 30 Jul 2024 | 00:29:16 | |
What does it mean to truly hear the voices of our communities? Who gets to shape the narratives in our society, and who is left unheard? In this episode, guests Hagar Hafez and Anna Porter from the New York Immigration Coalition dive into the critical issue of language access in Western New York and across the nation. We explore how the absence of language resources has silenced millions and discuss NYIC's efforts to amplify these voices through creative arts and community initiatives. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Fighting Against Injustice Through Theatre with Ujima | 23 Jul 2024 | 00:27:35 | |
How are the creative outlets of theater and the arts a direct pathway to healing and justice for subjugated populations? On this summer High Road series episode, our guests, Gabriella McKinley and High Road Fellow Daniela Gloster from Ujima Company Inc., will discuss the salient and creative work Ujima is producing around injustice and carceral systems. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Building Strong Democratic Labor Movements with WNY Area Labor Federation | 09 Jul 2024 | 00:28:22 | |
With the election looming, maintaining labor rights is a top priority for WNY Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. On this summer High Road series episode, our guests Austin Morgan and High Road Fellow Matthew Dye from the WNY Labor Federation discuss the current state of labor unions and the work to maintain over a century’s worth of organizing and wins on behalf of the working class. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Empowering Grassroots Leaders with the Clean Air Coalition | 02 Jul 2024 | 00:28:09 | |
On this summer High Road series episode, Chris Murawski and High Road Fellow Sia Gu from the Clean Air Coalition of WNY to discuss the work of grassroots leadership development and the intersections of environmental justice with racial, economic, and social justice. "The Clean Air Coalition builds power by developing grassroots leaders who organize their communities to run and win environmental justice and public health campaigns in Western New York." They also envision "a world where our environment promotes health and equity and where systems place communities at the forefront of decision-making." To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| The Dirty Secret of Crypto and AI | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:36:51 | |
Crypto currency and AI have emerged as harbingers of a new age, but, at what cost? The term 'data center' has yet to rise in the same notability as its popular end products but has begun to make waves as use of AI and crypto has gained more traction in every day society. The impact of these data centers, filled with computers running endless code for AI and crypto programs, are unregulated energy production, back-door deals for abandoned or defunct power facilities and metric tons of waste water. On this episode of The Public Good, Bridge Rauch of the Clean Air Coaliton comes to debunk the mysticism of crypto and AI and reveal the tangible harms and threats they pose to our world. Tune in and join the discussion. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Black Maternal Health Awareness with BPPN | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:27:46 | |
This week, we welcome Felicia Stanley, Luanne Brown, and Program Mom Dora from the Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network (BPPN). We’ll delve into critical discussions about Black Maternal Awareness and health disparities. Did you know that 1 in 5 new mothers faces a maternal mental health condition? The statistics are even more alarming for Black women, with 40% experiencing these symptoms—almost double the rate of all women. Despite this, only 20% of women are screened, and up to half may not receive the necessary support or treatment. Black women are also three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to their white counterparts. Join us to hear how BPPN is working to address and combat these disparities and discover what steps are being taken to improve outcomes and provide better support for Black mothers. | |||
| Uniting on the High Road: A Conference on Economic Justice at the Local Level | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:27:33 | |
Next week, PPG and the Cornell ILR Buffalo Co-Lab is hosting Uniting on the High Road, a conference bringing together leaders, advocates, researchers, and organizers from broad movements for racial and economic justice and authentic democracy. Free and open to the public, register to take part in interactive workshops, field experiences in Buffalo neighborhoods, art performances, and collective art making as we learn from each other and imagine future collaboration within and across series. On this episode, Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, executive director of PPG, will provide an overview of what to expect at the conference - from the organizations represented, panelists, types of presentations, and more. Register - for free- by this Friday, June 14th. The conference will take place Thursday June 20th through June 22nd. Visit the website to see the full program and register. | |||
| Celebrating Foster Care Awareness Week: Honoring Dr. Leah Angel Daniel and Fostering Greatness Inc. | 21 May 2024 | 00:30:00 | |
This Foster Care Awareness Week, we’re thrilled to highlight Dr. Leah Angel Daniel, Founder and Executive Director of Fostering Greatness Inc. and Executive Director of the African American Cultural Center. As a foster care alumna herself, Dr. Daniel is dedicated to uplifting the foster care community, especially focusing on youth of color. Through her organization, she’s transforming lives from survival mode to thriving, providing crucial support in mental health, housing, and more. Join us in honoring and learning more about her incredible work and how you can get involved. And check out PPG's 2024 Community Agenda Item #5 - Support a Forgotten Population: Reimagine Local Systems of Care for Foster Youth and Young Adults in Erie County - to learn more about current advocacy work. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| 2024-2025 Buffalo City Budget 101 | 14 May 2024 | 00:26:26 | |
Are you interested in learning what Mayor Byron Brown is prioritizing in his proposed budget for 2024-2025? Do you want to know how you can influence the city budget? Check out PPG’s virtual workshop (from May 13, 2024) on the city's proposed $618 million budget. We discuss where the City gets its revenue, what the City spends its money on, and what's changed since last year. We also take a deeper look into funding for PPG Community Agenda and partner priorities, such as youth services, rental housing inspections, arts funding, and snow removal. The 2024-2025 proposed budget public hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 15 at 5pm at City Hall Council Chambers. Sign up to speak or leave comments for the public record. Important links:
To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Reshaping Education: Community Perspectives on School Suspensions | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:29:46 | |
#2 on PPG’s 2024 Community Agenda is Address Racial and Special Needs Disparities in Buffalo Public School Discipline by Implementing New York State Education Department Recommendations. Tune into this episode of The Public Good where we’re joined by Sam White from Western New York Law Center and Quinn Carroll from New York Civil Liberties Union. Sam and Quinn share their expertise and experiences in suspension advocacy. Learn about the challenges students face, the systemic issues at play, and the resources available through the WNYLC’s School Discipline Project to support families navigating the suspension process. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Voices for Justice: Parole Reform with Donna Robinson from the RAPP Campaign | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:30:00 | |
#7 on PPG’s 2024 Community Agenda is Reform Parole to Reunite Families Across New York State. Tune into this episode of The Public Good for an insightful conversation with Donna Robinson, Buffalo’s Community Organizer with the Release Aging People from Prison Campaign. Donna shares her personal experiences and advocacy for parole reform, highlighting the need to address the long-term effects of mass incarceration. Discover more about bills like Elder Parole and Fair and Timely Parole at https://rappcampaign.com.
Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Empowering Buffalo's Future: Advocating for Youth Equity | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:28:44 | |
#9 on PPG’s 2024 Community Agenda is Increase Funding for Youth Services in the City of Buffalo Budget. This week’s guest is Alia Williams, the Voices Influencing Building Equity (VIBE) Organizer at VOICE Buffalo and a lead on this agenda item. Alia shares insights with Dejia James about the vital role of community engagement and activism. Explore how Alia’s upbringing and passion for Black liberation drive her commitment to change. From reflecting on past experiences to envisioning a brighter future for Buffalo’s youth, this episode offers perspectives on empowering the next generation and advancing youth initiatives for a stronger, more inclusive community. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| International Childhood Advancement | 11 Mar 2024 | 00:25:26 | |
Our guest this week is Evelyn Kessler, a self-described banker by day and social entrepreneur by night. She is the founder and Executive Director of International Child Advancement (ICA), a nonprofit with a mission to empower orphans and underprivileged children to become self-sufficient through education, vocational training, and mentoring. Listen to Evelyn share her journey as a second-generation immigrant to the United States and her time growing up in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and France, and how that inspired her to found ICA. Learn about the work ICA does, including pairing orphans and underserved children with educational sponsors, and providing them with access to education, vocational training, and essential support. And, tune in to hear what ICA does to build collaborations between Buffalo and the DRC through education, the Art Gala, and more - and how you can get involved. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Creating Safe Spaces: Black Men’s Role in Community Growth | 13 Feb 2024 | 00:29:12 | |
Welcome to The Public Good’s second episode of a special Black History Month series. This week, Dejia James speaks with two Black men dedicated to uplifting their community: Sherman Webbs-Middlebrooks (Men’s Health Project Manager at the Buffalo Center for Health Equity) and Jimmy Darby (community organizer, Board President for Voice Buffalo, volunteer with the Buffalo Peacemakers, and founder of Just for Us). Sherman and Jimmy discuss their work creating spaces for men’s wellness and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational conversations. This episode features Sherman and Jimmy's personal experiences and insights, focusing on the need for community engagement and support. They envision a future where community efforts are unified, creating a stronger, more connected Buffalo. Learn more about the Buffalo Center for Health Equity’s Men’s Empowerment Evenings, Mondays from 5pm-7:30pm at the Tri-Main Center (2495 Main St). To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Unpacking White Rage with Euka Mends-Aidoo, Stephanie Peete, and Wil Green | 06 Feb 2024 | 00:27:16 | |
Welcome to The Public Good’s first episode of a special Black History Month series. On Thursday 2/15 from 9am-11am, Say Yes Buffalo will present the next installment in their Employer Think Tank Series - White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Nation’s Divide. This panel discussion will focus on the organized resistance to Black progress through education and workforce development. Our guests this week are panelists Ekua Mends-Aidoo (Clementine Gold Group), Stephanie Peete (Say Yes Buffalo, Second Chapter Bookstore), and Wil Green (University at Buffalo, Tremani Solutions). Navigating through the complexities of racial equity, our discussion explores personal motivations for engaging in this work, stressing the importance of comprehending historical contexts and systemic challenges, along with the significance of perseverance, intergenerational collaboration, and the transformative power of education in driving meaningful change. You won’t want to miss this episode and the White Rage panel discussion. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Highway Removal: Restoring Humboldt Parkway and the Fight for Environmental, Economic and Racial Justice | 17 Dec 2024 | 00:41:52 | |
In the last decade, communities across America are demanding a reckoning for the destruction of neighborhoods through the inception of the suburb and the construction of highways to serve newly fled populations to city centers. While some sought escape from urban living and disinvestment in communities of color, others were left with the devastating effects of loss of parks and third spaces, economic downfall of neighborhood businesses and detrimental health effects from pollution. On this episode of The Public Good, The Eastside Parkways Coalition discusses the history of the Humboldt Parkway and its reflection of a story known across the country. The Eastside Parkways Coalition is calling for the removal of the Scajaquada and 33 Expressways to restore this notable corridor and neighborhood to its rightful glory. Tune in and join the discussion. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| The Open Buffalo Ecology Center | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:28:50 | |
The Open Buffalo Ecology Center is a holistic solution to tackle the complex and interconnected systemic challenges faced by Buffalo residents, in particular the approximately 93,000 residents of the East Side of Buffalo. In January, The Public Good host Dejia James sat down with Francelle Parker and Max Anderson, Executive and Deputy Directors of Open Buffalo, respectively. In this episode, Franchelle and Max discuss Open Buffalo’s plans for the Ecology Center, envisioning it as a focal point for ecological justice and economic empowerment. The conversation touches on the importance of multi-generational collaboration, grassroots engagement, and reimagining traditional economic models. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Unveiling PPG's 2024 Community Agenda | 16 Jan 2024 | 00:28:41 | |
On Friday, January 12th, PPG and partners were joined by elected officials and community members to reveal our 2024 Community Agenda! This year's Community Agenda has 11 items ranging from piloting a community responder team in Erie County to reimagining local systems of care for foster youth and young adults to fully fund and implement the City of Buffalo's Proactive Rental Inspection program. In this episode, partners detail agenda items #2-10, where you'll learn more about each agenda item's issue area, its goal, and the impact it will have on our community. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Sustainable Futures: The Riverline and BCAT's Educational Impact | 09 Jan 2024 | 00:28:54 | |
This year, planning will continue for the Riverline, a project through the Western New York Land Conservancy (WNYLC) that repurposes old infrastructure to create a Greenway and nature trail along Buffalo Creek. To achieve program goals, the WNYLC has partnered with the Buffalo Center School for Arts and Technology (BCAT) to host a Landscape Maintenance Technician Program. The program, for adults residing in the City of Buffalo, includes 30 paid hours of instruction, 30 hours of field training, and a paid internship. Our guests Jeff Lebsack, Director of the Riverline at WNYLC, and Krista Berry, Executive Assistant/Grants Coordinator at BCAT. Together they’ll discuss the Riverline, the Landscape Maintenance Technician Program, and how BCAT’s adult education programs empower Buffalo residents to learn new skills and establish themselves in new careers. Those interested should apply by January 29, 2024. The program starts on February 5th. Classes take place Monday through Wednesday, 5:30-8:30, with a synchronous live learning option. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Battling Big Tobacco with Stan Martin Consulting | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:28:15 | |
Did you know that menthol cigarettes have been strategically marketed to Black communities for decades, contributing to health disparities? This week on The Public Good, Stan "the Man" Martin from Stan Martin Consulting discusses the push to ban menthol cigarettes, highlighting the intersection of public health and social justice. Tune in for insights into tobacco control and the urgent need for change. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Language Access and the New York Immigration Coalition | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:28:42 | |
This year, the Erie County Legislature is considering passing the Language Access Act following years of advocacy by the New York Immigration Coalition and other immigrant and refugee advocacy organizations. The Language Access Act will require all key government documents issued to the public by the county be translated into key languages. Statewide efforts to pass Language Access are also in the works. This week, our guest is Hagar Hafez from the New York Immigration Coalition, discussing language access challenges in Erie County and New York State. Touching on personal experiences as an immigrant, Hagar emphasizes the need for empathy and explores the long-term impact on children navigating complex systems. The conversation highlights ongoing efforts for language justice, focusing on local and state advocacy to ensure equitable services for diverse communities. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Anti-Displacement Summit | 05 Dec 2023 | 00:23:58 | |
This Saturday marks the fifth annual Anti-Displacement Summit organized by nonprofit Our City Buffalo and hosted by a variety of nonprofit and community organizations including PPG. Free and open to the public, the summit, taking place Saturday, December 9 from 10am-3pm at Trinity Episcopal Church (371 Delaware Ave) aims to address issues affecting the community through educational workshops. Following the workshops, there will be a public memorial for the victims of the 2022 blizzard. Tune in to learn more about the event, the types of sessions you might be interested in attending, and more! To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| PPG's Community Agenda Process | 28 Nov 2023 | 00:28:20 | |
On this episode, Dejia James sits down with Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, Executive Director of Partnership for the Public Good. They explore the unique and democratic approach where over 340 community organizations contribute policy ideas to build a more just, sustainable, and culturally vibrant Buffalo through PPG's Community Agenda process. They discuss the evolution of PPG's mission and principles, commitment to community-based change, and the upcoming Community Agenda vote and public reveal of our refreshed principles. Join us for insights into grassroots activism and PPG and partner work shaping Buffalo's future. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Navigating Maternal Health with Erie Niagara AHEC | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:29:28 | |
Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center, or AHEC, is dedicated to creating a diverse healthcare workforce and well-informed community. By joining forces with health professionals, high schools, universities, and students, they aim to expand the pipeline of student-to-professional networks within the Buffalo Niagara Region. This week's guests are Kaila McCray and Madeline Ackley, program specialists for AHEC's Birth Equity Project, which aims to reduce Black and brown infant mortality and morbidity rates. They discuss a pilot program that connects Medicaid-eligible moms in Erie County with doulas who support moms during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Listen to learn more about AHEC, the Birth Equity Project, how doulas have benefited moms in Erie County, doula recruitment, and the future of the pilot program. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Whitman on Walls | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:28:19 | |
Walt Whitman's most famous poem, "Song of Myself," is a "barbaric yawp" that celebrates freedom, inclusion, and democracy. Working with this iconic piece, Compagnia de' Colombari has created seven short films with actors and musicians around the globe, bringing Whitman's words to life in startling and beautiful new ways. On November 16, 2023, at 7 pm, the films will be screened at the Burchfield Penney Art Center for a Whitman on Walls (WoW!) event. After each film, a local performance poet will offer an original work written in response to the film – conversing with, talking back to, and wrestling with Walt Whitman. The event is free and open to the public. This week's episode features guests from the Calamus Project - Sam Magavern, co-founder of Calamus and Senior Policy Fellow at PPG; Brandon Williamson, poet, founder of Pure Ink Poetry, president of Ujima Theatre; as well as Dr. Steve Peraza, poet and Senior Researcher and Policy Associate at Cornell ILR Buffalo Co-Lab. Together, they'll discuss the project, explore the beauty of and draw to Whitman's poetry, and offer a sample ahead of Thursday night's event. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Bridging the Digital Divide with FATE | 07 Nov 2023 | 00:29:19 | |
Families Aimed Toward Excellence (FATE) is an organization that provides educational resources for students and parents to help them excel both in school and in their community. Our guest this week is Simone Ragland, LMSW and Founder and CEO of FATE. She speaks with Dejia James on the program's focus on digital equity - and lack thereof - especially in inner-city communities and communities of color. Simone shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, representation, and exposure to STEM fields for young students. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| The Future of Immigration | 03 Dec 2024 | 00:39:56 | |
Throughout history we have heard about the crisis of "immigration" threatening borders and sovereignty, but, what is the true human experience behind the controversy? This week on The Public Good, Hagar Hafez, Manager of Organizing & Strategy for WNY with the New York Immigration Coalition discusses the misconceptions and common ground behind migration. Humans have moved space and time across lands for thousands of years, so why are we reaching crisis points of histeria across the world? How have we collectively aided the cause of displacement across different geographies? Most importantly, where do we go from here to join in collective visioning for solutions? Tune in and join the discussion. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Squeaky Wheel and their 20th Animation Fest | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:27:27 | |
This Friday, November 3rd at 6 pm at the Buffalo AKG, Squeaky Wheel, a local nonprofit with a mission to continue a legacy of innovation in media arts through access, education, and exhibition, will host its 20th Animation Fest! On this week's episode of The Public Good, Dejia James is joined by Meg Specksgoor, Communication and Development Manager at Squeaky Wheel, for a discussion centering the Animation Fest, free and open to the public, which features a diverse selection of animated shorts from local and international artists, showcasing a variety of styles and techniques, including hand-drawn, generative A.I., cartoon, and stop-motion animations. Learn more about Meg's background and experience and what you can expect from this accessible community event. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| HOME: Empowering Communities Through Housing Education and Advocacy | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:28:28 | |
Did you know that under New York State law, landlords are allowed to charge only first month's rent and a security deposit not to exceed first month's rent and can only charge up to $20 for an application fee and background check? And - landlords must give you a copy of the background check they conduct, which you can use when applying for other rental units. Learn about this and more with our guests this week from Housing Opportunities Made Equal - or HOME, as the organization celebrates 60 years of fighting for fair housing rights in Western New York. We're joined by Steven Haagsma, Education Manager, and Cierra Fields, Content and Education Specialist. They'll give an overview of fair housing rights and housing discrimination - and how you can report it to HOME. Learn about how HOME investigates housing discrimination to hold landlords accountable, along with different avenues of legal advice and representation referrals HOME provides. Steven and Cierra also dive into the free landlord and tenant trainings HOME offers. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| BNMC Innovation Community Success & H.E.A.L International | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:30:18 | |
This week, Dejia James dives in with Juweria Dahir, sharing her journey as an immigrant in Switzerland to becoming the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. She highlights the challenges immigrants face in Buffalo and the significance of support programs. The conversation delves into H.E.A.L. International, detailing their services and recent community-focused initiatives, offering a closer look at their impactful work in Buffalo. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Bridging Identities: The Afro-Latinx Experience Part II | 10 Oct 2023 | 00:28:33 | |
Welcome to Part II of a special episode of The Public Good in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Host Dejia James and Dr. Steve Peraza delve into the complexities of Afro-Latinidad and the experiences of being both Black and Latino in America. They explore historical migration patterns, systemic barriers faced by communities of color, and the intersection of identity in various spaces. Dejia and Dr. Peraza discuss critical issues such as affordable housing, childcare, and disparities in the educational system, as well as the need for cross-community solidarity and understanding to address these challenges effectively. Tune in for an insightful dialogue that sheds light on critical social issues and advocates for unity among diverse communities. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Young Latinx Community Leaders | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:30:33 | |
This week's guests are Alexandre Burgos and Talia Rodriguez, inspiring young Latinx community leaders! From grassroots activism to empowering educational initiatives, explore their impactful journeys. Learn more about their work in the community, uncover the challenges they've faced, the social change they're driving, and the vibrant culture they're preserving. Join us in celebrating their leadership and contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month! To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Bridging Identities: The Afro-Latinx Experience | 20 Sep 2023 | 00:30:10 | |
Welcome to a special episode in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month! In this episode, our host Dejia James, and guest, Steve Peraza, Senior Research and Policy Associate at the Cornell ILR Buffalo Co-Lab, embark on a captivating journey through their shared identity as Afro-Latinos. As they discuss their unique experiences growing up in communities where their racial and ethnic identities intersect, they delve into their paths into academia, the challenges they faced, and the importance of mentorship. The conversation navigates the complexities of Afro-Latinx identity, from cultural affiliations to family dynamics, shedding light on the historical erasure of Afro-Latinxs and the importance of bridging communities for collective progress. Join them as they explore the need to move beyond organizing solely around identity and the potential of building coalitions to address issues that affect nonwhite communities. Tune in to gain insights into the rich tapestry of Afro-Latinx heritage and the journey towards a more united and equitable future. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| AmeriCorps VISTA with The Service Collaborative of WNY | 12 Sep 2023 | 00:28:43 | |
The Service Collaborative of WNY is a local nonprofit dedicated to fostering community engagement. Discover their range of programs tailored to address various community needs, including participation in AmeriCorps initiatives. Our guest this week is Yesenia Canales, the VISTA Program Manager at The Service Collaborative. Tune in to hear Yesenia's journey, from Long Island to her career in the nonprofit sector, shaped by her experiences with AmeriCorps and the VISTA program. Yesenia sheds light on how VISTA members support organizations in creating lasting change in areas affected by poverty, such as education and housing. She emphasizes the inclusive nature of the VISTA program, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to make an impact. Learn about Service Collaborative programming as Yesenia shares insights. To explore opportunities and get involved, visit the links below. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Second Chapter Bookstore | 06 Sep 2023 | 00:26:58 | |
Earlier this year, Stephanie Peete and her mother, Lisa Queener-Johnson, launched Second Chapter Bookstore, a Black-owned business with a diverse book selection that highlights Black experiences, history, and anti-racism. Their collaboration was fueled by a shared love of reading, a passion for Black culture, and a mission to create spaces fostering joy, community, and shared learning, centered around the Black experience. This week, we're joined by Stephanie Peete, co-founder of Second Chapter Bookstore and Director of Workforce Development at Say Yes Buffalo. Stephanie and our host, Dejia James, delve into her impactful work, including Say Yes Buffalo's Youth Apprenticeship Program, which tackles youth challenges and reshapes professionalism. This episode uncovers the journey of empowering communities through education, employment, youth development, and representation in literature and the workplace. Check out Second Chapter Bookstore's upcoming events including a discussion on My Seven Black Fathers: A Young Activist's Memoir of Race, Family and the Mentors Who Made Him Whole by Will Jawando and the next Anti-Racist Reading Series event in partnership with SURJ Buffalo and Progressive Bookclub discussing Unapologetic by Charlene Carruthers. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Teen Empowerment Block Party | 29 Aug 2023 | 00:28:29 | |
This weekend (9/3/23) marks the Second Annual Teen Empowerment Block Party, a collaborative event put on by #REALTALKBRIDGES, #TEENSWHOCARE, and The Natural Hustle Entertainment. This event provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for teens and young adults to unwind, relax, refocus, and heal, with fun activities, games, sports, teen/young adult performers and live DJs, restorative circles a healing tent, and a variety of free food. Our guests this week are Janisha Whitlock from #REALTALKBRIDGES and Christine Martin, co-CEO of The Natural Hustle Entertainment. They'll provide an overview of their organizations and how this collaborative event came to be and how they work to provide Buffalo's youth a platform to express themselves creatively and explore their emotions. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| A Home Beneath Our Feet | 22 Aug 2023 | 00:28:45 | |
Gardening has been scientifically proven to have a variety of therapeutic benefits including stress reduction, improved mood, social interaction, and the nutritional benefits of eating your own food. Combine that with a commitment to the community, and positive, skill-building programming for youth and you’ve got A Home Beneath Our Feet. On this episode of The Public Good, Dejia James talks with Dwight Lowe, Founder and Director of A Home Beneath Our Feet, a nonprofit organization geared towards providing our youth the platforms to become the best version of themselves through gardening and a holistic education initiative. Dwight talks about how he got into gardening and experienced the therapeutic benefits, inspiring him to create a space for others to heal, learn grow, and connect with nature. He gives an overview of Home Beneath Our Feet programming, including the integration of STEM education, and teaching skills like coding and financial literacy. Listen to hear about Dwight’s vision for A Home Beneath Our Feet, the organization’s Sensory Garden, and other community gardens, and how you can get involved and support the organization! To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| The Dangers of Menthol and the Tobacco Industry | 12 Nov 2024 | 00:24:53 | |
This week on the Public Good we are joined by Dr. Schuyler Lawson, Lead of Research and Evaluation Team with No Menthol Buffalo to discuss the present dangers of menthol tobacco in our communities. 45,000 African Americns die each year due to preventable tobacco related illness. No Menthol Buffalo seeks to ban the use of menthol tobacco products to inhibit the proliferation and addictive qualities to youth and adults within communities across the nation. Learn how you can aid in their public health efforts and the tricks of the tobacco industry that cause us harm. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share your ideas for improving our community by emailing us at info@ppgbuffalo.org. Whether it's highlighting community organizations you admire, shedding light on deserving initiatives, or providing feedback on our current episode, we welcome your thoughts. Let us know how you envision positive change in our community! | |||
| Dr. Jonathan Daniels (UB) Chapter of Black Men in White Coats | 15 Aug 2023 | 00:27:30 | |
According to a UCLA study, while Black Americans make up 13% of the United States population, they only make up 5.4% of practicing physicians. This disparity has a direct impact on inequities in healthcare impacting communities of color. Black Men in White Coats is a national organization aiming to increase the number of Black men in medicine through exposure, inspiration, and mentoring. The University at Buffalo Chapter is named in honor of Dr. Jonathan Daniels, one of two Black pediatricians practicing in Buffalo before his untimely death last year. We're joined by members of the E-Board, all second-year medical school students: Hendrick Francois, Nana Aikins, Kaswana Phiri, and Shyon Small. They discuss pathways to medical school for Black students, accessibility of medical care, and medical neglect in Black communities. The members share their personal journeys into medicine, highlighting the importance of mentorship and outreach. They describe their efforts to expose high school students to medical careers and address the historical disparity in the number of Black and other minority physicians in the US. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Environmental Justice: Reclaiming Communities and Empowering Youth | 09 Aug 2023 | 00:28:48 | |
In Buffalo, the East Side notably lacks tree coverage, leading to health disparities like higher asthma rates and temperature differences of up to 20 degrees compared to greener neighborhoods. Dr. Monica Miles, co-founder of Mother Earth Literacies unravels the connections between industrialization, limited access to natural resources, and their far-reaching consequences, all converging to the intersection of environmental and racial justice. Dr. Miles emphasizes the pressing need for fair green spaces, involving youth in the environmental justice conversation, and providing essential tools to collectively assess and address these inequalities, reshaping communities and empowering marginalized voices. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| The Ground Beneath Our Feet | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:31:47 | |
The Just Buffalo Writing Center is a creative space where young writers aged 12-18 are welcomed for free writing workshops, literary events, and individualized assistance with writing projects. In April 2023, they collaborated by Ujima Theater's Dunbar Youth Theatre Arts Program on "The Ground Beneath Our Feet," a digital collection of poems on climate justice by young writers. Guests Robin Jordan, Director of Just Buffalo's Writing Center, and two young poets and Just Buffalo Youth Ambassadors, Theo Bellavia-Frank and Kiera Van Der Beck who provide an overview of the Writing Center, "The Ground Beneath Our Feet," and expression through poetry. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||
| Breaking Barriers | 25 Jul 2023 | 00:28:20 | |
The Boys and Men of Color Initiative Breaking Barriers is a group of young men of color, aged 12-24, creating a unified voice that advocates for racial equity, social justice, and policy change. Our guest Daniel Robertson, Program Director of Breaking Barriers with Say Yes Buffalo, discusses the challenges faced by young men of color and how this initiative addresses them, celebrating success stories and the transformative power of mentorship. Seth Vieira, 2023 Cornell University Summer High Road Fellow with the Boys and Young Men of Color Initiative, offers unique insights into how this initiative has touched lives, fostering a sense of belonging and hope within the community. Through his fellowship, Seth supports the program's mission and empowers young voices in the region. To learn more about our work, visit our website at ppgbuffalo.org. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. | |||