NOVEMBER 11TH: “JUSTICE & SUSTAINABILITY”

The WNY Peace Center’s 55th Annual Dinner, Nov. 11, is not only an opportunity to connect with Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farms and hear her keynote on “Planting Seeds of Justice, Harvesting Peace,” about Farms/Food/Racial/Environmental Justice – it’s also a time to gather as a community and recognize just a few of the many exceptional people striving for justice and sustainability!

So many are deserving of awards – it was hard to limit it. However, we want to recognize at least a few of the many.

The Emerging Leader Award will go to Yanenowi Logan, a Seneca Deer Clan youth studying Environment and Sustainability at Cornell University. She’s re-activated the Seneca Youth Council; served on the Cornell Student Council; is on the Native American Student Council; and shows real leadership. You can hear more from her in the Talking Peace video from March 23, 2022, on the WNY Peace Center’s YouTube channel. (Or just come to the dinner!)

The Phoenix Award seems a fitting way to recognize the huge justice and healing work that the families of victims and the survivors, of the 5/14 Massacre have undertaken. “Out of the ashes” of the devastating, horrific, racist, brutal murders and attacks, the families and survivors have taken their grief and outrage and used it in service of the community: speaking truth to power, exposing the longstanding problems, working to fill community needs. Garnell Whitfield, the former Buffalo Fire Commissioner, has agreed to accept the award on behalf of the families and survivors group, who’ll also receive the award.

We’ll also provide it to the Buffalo & Erie County Library, and the Buffalo History Museum, for their collection telling the truth of the event for posterity. The families and survivors are truly inspiring and deserve much more than we can ever give them.

Lastly, the Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Dr. Charley Bowman, activist extraordinaire. As a scientist and a truly persistent advocate, Charley has worked for Environmental Justice in more ways than we can name, chairing the WNYPC Environmental Taskforce, serving on the Sierra Club’s steering committee, consulting, campaigning, protesting (holding down two weekly protests for years – indeed the Women In Black vigil for 20 years!), organizing bomb train watches, getting arrested at We Are Seneca Lake protests and more. He also served as Director at the WNY Peace Center from 2011-13. Charley, we salute you!

Please join us on November 11, 5-9 pm, at Hayes Hall, on UB’s South Campus on Main St (by Kenmore Ave). Enjoy a delicious and healthy meal (catered by Sunshine Vegan, plus…), and great inspiration from an outstanding gathering.

This event, a collaboration with UB Food Systems Planning & Health Communities lab, is also the WNYPC’s main fundraiser of the year, and donations will be matched by the Fr. Joe Bissonette Foundation. Please help support the WNY Peace Center and its service to the Beloved Community!! More info and tickets are available at wnypeace.org.

Solidaridad, Victory, Healing for #PeopleAndPlanet, and Peace and Love!! Si, se puede!! Juntos!!