What’s Next?

On this week’s Producers’ Picks, we revisit two stand-out conversations from the last few episodes of What’s Next? First, Jay Moran speaks with Pastor George Nicholas, leading up to Igniting Hope 2023 in September; the two discuss health disparities in the African American community amongst women in Western New York and the importance of Igniting Hope. Then we hear from local artist and leather cr...

The Taíno people were one of the influential indigenous groups that populated the Caribbean – settling in places such as Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. On this episode of What’s Next? we hear from Beatriz Flores and Jose Flores, two Puerto Ricans in Western New York who are keeping Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean culture – specifically Bomba – alive in the Hispanic community of...

On today’s episode of What’s Next? we speak with Bangladeshi immigrant artist Muhammad Zaman whose art exhibit is currently open to the public. We discuss his art and the influence behind it. Then we sit down with a group of students from the social impact fellow program at the University of Buffalo to discuss the resource database they have created for immigrants and refugees new to WNY.

On today’s episode of What’s Next? we speak with Bangladeshi immigrant artist Muhammad Zaman whose art exhibit is currently open to the public. We discuss his art and the influence behind it. Then we sit down with a group of students from the social impact fellow program at the University of Buffalo to discuss the resource database they have created for immigrants and refugees new to WNY.

On today’s episode of What’s Next? Thomas O’Neil White and Angelea Preston sit down with the new President of the National Association of Black Journalist I’Jaz Ja’ciel. The three have an in-depth conversation about the state of black journalism in WNY, Buffalo Media, and the obstacles black journalists face in WNY and beyond.

On this week’s Producers’ Picks, we revisit two stand-out conversations from the last few episodes from What’s Next? First off, we hear from Shara Armprester the creator of Natural Beauty Cuties, the two discuss her mission to promote self-care and the unique beauty that comes with being a black and brown girl. Then, we revisit Jay Moran’s conversation with Mia Kai Simonne Moody. The two have an i...

October is National Health Literacy month, highlighting the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. On today’s episode of What’s Next? Thomas O’Neil-White speaks with Tara Schafer Executive Director at Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara and Brittany Tranello the Interim Executive Director at Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center...

On today's episode, a tour of the new Buffalo AKG Art Museum with Director Janne Siren. This summer, the museum reopened after spending over $200 million to refurbish the institution and add another wing, the Gundlach Building. Siren shows off the new look, how the museum has repurposed its permanent collection, and discusses how the institution works to impact all parts of the community.

211WNY has been a resource for many years for people needing to connect to services throughout Western New York. Now, they’re starting a new initiative specifically tailored for our military veterans. We speak with Bob James, the team leader for 211Vets, and we’ll hear from former military members Marlene Roll and Edwin Gadson who have been helped by many of the resources that the service pairs up...

On this week’s Producers Picks, we revisit some stand-out conversations from the last few episodes of What’s Next? First off, we hear from Dr. Andrew Hyland, the Director of the New York State Smokers’ Quitline, and Herman, one of the participants in the program who eventually quit his smoking habit. Afterward, Jay Moran visits The Exchange at Beverly Gray – a business incubator for BIPOC and unde...

Back in September we aired an episode that was taped on location at the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve near Depew. Our tour guide was the very knowledgeable Marcus Rosten. Marcus is a self-proclaimed black birder and an environmental educator. Our trip was originally 3 hours long and after our first hour of highlights, we felt we had to hear more from that immersive and informative experience.

Filmmaker Rocco Anastasio joins the show to discuss his documentary, “Boricua Soy Yo”. The film is a comprehensive look at what it means to be of Puerto Rican descent as well as the issues that the island has faced throughout its history as the world’s oldest colony. Rocco and Lorenzo Rodriguez discuss the debate around Puerto Rican statehood as well as the concept of identifying as a member of a...

In this episode of What's Next?, Lorenzo Rodriguez takes us on an educational tour around the East Side of Buffalo to learn about some of the work that the Clean Mobility Neighborhood Leadership Group is doing to raise awareness about the need for clean transportation options as well as the environmental injustices the area has faced throughout the years. We'll also hear from David Hahn Baker, a l...

On this episode of What’s Next? we hear from the President of Buffalo Black Nurses, Tiffany Anderson. Tiffany discusses the importance of diverse representation within the medical field and the toll that the last few years have taken on nurses and medical practitioners. Afterward, Britney Upshaw is the founder of Get Out and About. This nonprofit organization is attempting to provide underserved s...

For this edition of What’s Next?: Producers’ Picks, we revisit one of the first episodes in this new iteration of our program. We hear the story of “Alberto” – a Nicaraguan asylum seeker who left his daughters back in his home country and fled oppression at the hands of the Sandinista government. We’ll hear his story of how he arrived in this country and in Western New York. Catherine Grange, the...

On this episode of What’s Next? We speak with the Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, John Spears. As Banned Books Week (Oct. 1-7) approaches, we discuss the ongoing challenges that our librarians and educators are facing as the censorship rhetoric and the number of book bans rises. We also reconnect with Madge Whiskey, close friend of Pearl Young – one of the victims of the Ma...

Lázara Martínez used her given musical talents to travel the world. She was born and grew up in Havana, Cuba and picked up the violin at age 8 and never looked back. She was classically trained at the Amadeo Roldan Music Conservatory and later joined various touring bands and national orchestras that helped her see the world. Eventually, she left Cuba and ended up in Western New York where she est...

On October 4th, 1951, Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman ceased to be after losing her battle with cervical cancer. But the legacy and story of Henrietta Lacks is one that still remains far after her time here on Earth. Henrietta is the source of what’s called HeLa cells – “immortal cells” that have been the basis for some of the most pivotal medical breakthroughs of our time. How those ce...

Buffalo Public Schools have been back in session for a couple of weeks now, but days before the start of this new school year, Lorenzo Rodriguez and Thomas O’Neil White sat down with a group of students and some active parents from the district to discuss some of their concerns. The various BPS students included Innocent, Freebirth, and Sangam. The group of parents included Edward Speidel - the Pr...

On this week’s Producers Picks, we revisit some stand out conversations from the last few episodes from our show’s prior iteration - Buffalo, What’s Next? We hear conversations from: Yanhong Baranski - Asian-American and former President of the Chinese Club of Western New York, Ryan Howze - Founder of Conscious Environment Creation and Say Whaaat? Podcast, and Nicholas Ramirez - Civil Rights attor...

On this episode of What’s Next?, we hear how one Buffalonian took her passion for storytelling and animation and turned it into a Hollywood career. Mia Kai Simonne Moody joins Jay Moran to detail the lessons she learned and skills she honed to land a dream job working on one of television’s longest-running animated shows – “Family Guy”.

Today on What’s Next? our Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins talks to paratransit activist, Stephanie Speaker, about the need to revamp some of the regulations around NFTA Metro Bus Paratransit Access Line service. The service provides origin-to-destination transportation to individuals eligible for it under the American with Disabilities Act. Afterwards, Lorenzo Rodriguez speaks with Shara Armpres...

On this episode of What’s Next?, we focus on The Exchange at Beverly Gray. For some time now, the Exchange has been serving as an incubator for BIPOC entrepreneurs and business owners in the Buffalo area. Jay Moran heads down to the center to speak with The Exchange’s Executive Director, Derrick Parson, to discuss the services and resources they’re providing business owners trying to get their bus...

Tucked away in the suburbs of Depew, NY is the 292-acre ecological gem that is the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. On this episode of What’s Next?, Lorenzo Rodriguez takes a tour of the preserve with Marcus Rosten - an Environmental Educator with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Marcus describes the many sights there are to see at Reinstein Woods as well as throughout...

On this week’s Producers Picks, we revisit some stand out conversations from the last few episodes from our show’s prior iteration - Buffalo, What’s Next? We hear conversations from Todd Vaarwerk, the Chief Policy Officer for Western New York Independent Living, Ben Hilligas, the Executive Director for Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center, and Christine Carr-Barmasse, Executive director of Missi...