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City of Buffalo to Create Wealth Building Strategies…

City of Buffalo to Create Wealth Building Strategies Addressing Racial Wealth Equity Blueprint Crafted Through Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund program, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, Will Prioritize the Financial Mobility of Black Residents 4/16/24 – Today, the city of Buffalo, along with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) announced they have been selected to participate in the CityStart initiative with a specific focus on racial wealth equity. The CityStart initiative works closely with local leaders to develop and implement proven strategies aimed at helping families and communities become more financially stable. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative – whose mission is to accelerate the pace of wealth accumulation for Black individuals and families and address systemic underinvestment in Black communities in the U.S. – is advising the CFE Fund and municipal partners on the design and execution of the CityStart program utilizing a racial wealth equity lens. Mayor Byron W. Brown shares that, “Buffalo is a city of Good Neighbors where the future growth of the city is tied to how we invest in each other’s potential. We are grateful for the support of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to enhance our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These investments will support economic mobility and wellbeing in Buffalo’s African American neighborhoods.” The city’s on-going commitment is to ensure that the neighborhoods and communities that have historically been excluded from opportunity are now in the place to prosper. Buffalo’s Opportunity Agenda and 4-year strategic plan both focus on racial equity through inclusive growth and development. A few of the city’s most relevant strategies target an increase in diversity in public and regional institutions procurement practices through Buffalo Purchasing Initiative as well as build wealth in neighborhood through business development and home ownership support. “Across the country, leaders are using the levers of local government to deploy financial empowerment strategies that improve their residents’ financial stability. Our CityStart initiative facilitates deep engagement between local governments, residents, and other stakeholders to create a community-informed plan for transforming residents’ financial lives and advancing racial wealth equity,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “We look forward to working with the city of Buffalo and Mayor Byron Brown to advance financial empowerment and racial wealth equity in the city and we thank Bloomberg Philanthropies for their longstanding partnership and investment in government-led financial empowerment.” Through the CityStart initiative, Buffalo will receive an intensive technical assistance engagement partnership, along with a $75,000 planning grant. The CFE Fund, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, will partner with the city to help craft an innovative, actionable blueprint tailored to the community that fosters financial stability across generations, especially for Black residents. In addition, the blueprints will be aligned with the local Administration’s priorities and partnership opportunities. The blueprint will compliment ongoing work within the City of Buffalo government around the establishment of a Financial Empowerment Center located in a historically African American Neighborhood. This center will also serve as a physical hub for economic mobility services. These services will focus on improving resident economic mobility and wellbeing, through education and workforce development, bringing under-represented groups into emerging industries; increasing support for local businesses through commercial corridor development and lastly looking to increase homeownership and the availability of quality affordable housing. In addition to the City of Buffalo other selected cities chosen through the competitive process include Chicago, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Little Rock, AR; and Philadelphia, PA. Local leaders will also have an opportunity for shared learning through the cohort structure, which includes idea exchanges, data collection, and obtaining information regarding local policies, programs, and strategies to address mutual challenges. “Racial wealth inequity negatively impacts our global economy and narrows the opportunities for communities across the U.S. to thrive,” said Garnesha Ezediaro, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative. “Through our partnership with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s CityStart initiative, we’re equipping local leaders with tools and data to surface the needs within their local economies and create plans to help Black residents flourish financially and build intergenerational wealth.” Cities from previous CityStart cohorts have already started to introduce innovative policy changes that leverage public and private partnerships while prioritizing Black wealth accumulation. For example, Cincinnati, OH leveraged the CityStart engagement to create its Financial Freedom Plan – informed by more than 1,000 residents and dozens of organizations and experts across the private, public, and social sectors. The city dedicated $2 million in public funds to forgive resident medical debt and advance other priorities. In South Bend, IN, the city developed a comprehensive financial empowerment framework that includes offering free professional financial counseling and a wealth-building focus in two historically Black neighborhoods. Buffalo is part of the sixth CityStart cohort, and the third cohort specifically focused on racial wealth equity. To date, 40 localities have participated in the CityStart financial empowerment blueprint process. Drawing on over a decade of CFE Fund work in over 100 cities and counties, the CityStart initiative leverages insights into financial instability impact, crafting measurable strategies to enhance residents’ financial well-being. About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders in over 100 cities and counties to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources – including 40 local governments that have already participated in the CityStart engagement. The CFE Fund has disbursed over $66 million in grant support to municipal partners. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund. Media Contact:Oswaldo Mestre/716-851-5307/omestre@buffalony.govLorey Schultz/716-851-5545/lschultz@buffalony.gov Read More From Buffalo Latino Village All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health

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COMMUNITY RESPONDERS PILOT PROGRAM NEEDED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

Leave a Comment / Column, Community / Buffalo Latino Village

Hola, nuestro Amigos! Esperamos poder comenzar un programa con más seguridad, justicia y paz para la comunidad con un programa piloto de Respondedores Comunitarios. We hope that we can begin a program with more security, justice, and peace for the community with a pilot Community Responders program. As described before in this column (from its brochure): “Community responder teams (CRTs) are first responders, just like firefighters and police officers. They are health professionals (typically EMTs, nurses, social workers, or other mental health clinicians) and trained peers. Including both professionals and peers ensures that teams have the necessary expertise and lived experience to assess and resolve crisis and non-crisis situations related to health and social issues—primarily mental health, substance use, homelessness, poverty, and other social disturbances or quality of life concerns.” The need is clear. We’ve seen deaths of unarmed young men of color at the hands of – and/or in the custody of – the police. Locally: Jose Hernandez-Rossy, was killed by Buffalo police during a routine traffic stop; Wardel “Meech” Davis, died while in police custody. Police presence can escalate situations. Willie Henley, a man with mental health issues, was shot by police as an ever-growing group of them pursued him. He was well-known in the neighborhood and not aggressive. The police uniform itself is often a “trigger,” activating fight-flight-freeze responses. Even police officers have said they’ve felt alarmed when approached by a uniformed officer while they are out of uniform. The presence of a gun is another stress – and risk-escalator. An agitated woman jumped from a second story, with scissors, barefoot in a t-shirt in the snow. She was surrounded by police for hours and finally bolo-wrap lassoed and tackled by the group – all touted as a success. Despite the incident being fielded by the Buffalo Police Department/BPD’s Behavioral Health Team, socks, slippers, a blanket, and something warm to drink, were not made available. Numerous cities have Community Responders programs, tailored to their particular community and its needs (e.g., Eugene, OR [since 1989, no death or serious injury]; Denver CO [led to 34% crime reduction]; San Francisco CA; Atlanta GA; and more). We can do this in Buffalo and Erie County. It will allow police to do what they do best – deal with crime – and let the community responders do what they do best –attend to people’s needs. There’s an action toolkit at linktr.ee/CommunityResponders4EC. On March 6, Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center will livestream at 7:15 pm on our Facebook page. Guests include social worker Colleen Kristich (Partnership for the Public Good), and Erica Seymour, mental health professional, formerly with BPD’s Behavioral Health Team, now a plaintiff in a case about the racism displayed by the former team captain, and the failure of the BPD to resolve the situation. This attests to the need to leave the counseling and de-escalation to the professionals. The show will rebroadcast on WBNY 91.3FM on Monday, March 11, at Noon; and be housed on the WNYPC’s Youtube channel. Si, se puede!! Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology WNY Peace Center’s Latin American Solidarity persists with LASC February 5, 2024/2 Comments Hola, Nuestro Amigos!! Nos sentimos honrados de trabajar en solidaridad con las comunidades Latinas! While the WNY Peace Center (WNYPC)… Read More MERCHANTS OF DEATH TRIBUNAL — PUTTING WAR PROFITEERS ON TRIAL January 1, 2024/3 Comments Hola, Nos Amigos!! Como el héroe César Chávez dijo, “La historia juzgará a las sociedades y a los gobiernos, y… Read More THERE IS NO VIOLENT SOLUTION – CEASEFIRE NOW!!! December 18, 2023/17 Comments Nuestro Amigos – que lastima!! Nuestro familia en el Medio Oriente ha sufrido mucho, verdadamente mucho!! We grieve for their… Read More Load More End of Content.

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BRIDGING DIVIDES: CHALLENGES IN UNITY WITHIN BUFFALO’S LATINO COMMUNITY

Leave a Comment / Column, Community / Buffalo Latino Village

It has been well over a year since I returned to Buffalo New York, after spending the previous twelve years in Florida and as started to reconnect myself with the Latino community here in Buffalo since I moved back, I’ve noticed how divided we are as a whole. Buffalo and Western New York are home to a vibrant Puerto Rican and Latino community, but my observations suggest a concerning disconnection among its various segments. Instead of uniting for a common goal, one that demands a seat at the political and social tables other groups have worked hard to maintain, the separate groups that represent various segments of the Latino community seem to be vying for sole recognition and influence. This observation of course raises questions. Is this Disconnection by Design? One pressing question is whether the disconnection within the Latino community is intentional. Are there underlying forces at play that contribute to the fragmentation? Understanding the dynamics behind this disunity is crucial to addressing the root causes and fostering a more cohesive community. One could argue that some groups, such as the Hispanic Heritage Council, being politically connected has worked in its favor, whereas others have been scrapping by for a piece of the proverbial pie. Much of my observations were echoed in a full page “Three Kings Day Wish List” printed in this very publication just in last month’s edition of the Buffalo Latino Village where publisher Alberto Cappas proposed several gifts such as: Amory Heritage: More Support from the Puerto Rican community leadership. El Batey Puerto Rican Center: News coverage for all the wonderful work they do in Buffalo’s Puerto Rican community. El Buen Amigo: A shared piece of the HHC 14 plus millions to complete El Buen Amigo construction Hispanics United of Buffalo: A program to protect the lambs from the wolves across the street. Progressive Puerto Ricans/Latinos: Stop attending out-of-town workshops and rallies, and begin to dedicate time to the politics and conditions of your community Lower West Side Puerto Rican/Latino Restaurants: Join forces as a West Side Latino Restaurants Association, unite in purchasing your goods together, and save money, show appreciation to your customers by offering annual scholarships to their kids, and support your community organizations. These are but a handful of the gift ideas proposed by Alberto and reviewing these, it’s a telling sign of the lack of an organized communal vision our community has. While it’s essential to recognize the diversity within the Buffalo Latino community, acknowledging that it is not a monolith, it’s equally important to identify shared goals. Many individuals and groups within our community strive for better representation and a meaningful seat at the table. The challenge lies in aligning these diverse aspirations toward a collective vision for the community’s future. Representation at the Table: Who Speaks for Us? One of the core issues contributing to the disconnection is the question of representation. Buffalo-based Latino politicians and politically backed organizations play a role in shaping the narrative, but there are concerns about whose interests they truly represent. Additionally, smaller grassroots organizations, diligently working to address community needs, often struggle to gain the visibility and recognition they deserve. I touched on this in a previous column, about the lack of local media attention given to our stories, however, the lack of representation in local media, spreading a positive and uplifting message needs to be continually repeated. Navigating Political Agendas: Looking at the community and the needs of those who live within it, one cannot help but turn their attention to those who are elected to represent the community itself and whether they are doing the community any justice. It isn’t a surprise to acknowledge that most if not all politicians elected to office to represent a community bring their agendas to the table. Many times, more often than not, these agendas may not always align with the broader community’s needs, and as one who has been an observer of sorts over the last fifteen months, this seems to be the case with the politicians that represent the Latino Community of Buffalo on the citywide and statewide level. Overlooking Grassroots Efforts: Amid political maneuvering, the invaluable contributions of smaller grassroots organizations such as El Batey, the Hispanic Women’s League, and Raices Theater Company often go unnoticed. These organizations, driven by a genuine commitment to community welfare, cultural and artistic education, personal and professional development, or economic empowerment face challenges in breaking through to a larger audience and securing the recognition they need to make a substantial impact due to the lack of what can be perceived to be political support. Although I commend the Hispanic Heritage Council for the work that is being done on the Lower West Side, specifically with the building of the cultural center on Niagara Street, I wish the wealth were shared with other organizations who are also doing good things within the community but may lack in the political capital. Building Bridges for a Stronger Future: Ironically, the Peace Bridge sits on Buffalo’s West Side connecting Buffalo to our Canadian neighbors, yet we need a bridge of sorts to connect our community. Addressing the disconnection within Buffalo’s Latino community requires a collective effort. It involves fostering open dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives, and recognizing the contributions of all segments, especially the often-overlooked grassroots organizations mentioned above. By building bridges, promoting unity, and acknowledging our disconnect, our community can work toward a future where every voice is heard, and every organization plays a vital role in shaping its destiny for years and generations ahead. — Until next time. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports RESILIENCE AMIDST TRAGEDY: ONE YEAR LATER, REFLECTING ON THE BUFFALO CHRISTMAS BLIZZARD OF 2022 January 1, 2024/6 Comments As the Christmas season ends and a New Year is upon us, I can’t help but reflect on the difference…

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