What’s Next?

Recently, WBFO Disability reporter Emyle Watkins went on the road to cover a group of advocates as they made their way from Buffalo to Albany to challenge topics such as involuntary treatment, Kendra’s Law, and more.

On this week’s edition of Producer’s Picks of the Week, we highlight two standout segments from the previous week: one on how the COVID-19 Pandemic altered downtown Buffalo, and a conversation with Mary Kate Loftus and Lauren Schellinger from Impressia Bank.

The women’s economy is expanding at twice the rate of other businesses, yet traditional banks and fintech institutions are still falling short in addressing the needs of the rapidly growing sheconomy. Why is that?

On today’s episode, we dive into the transformation and the challenges facing downtown Buffalo with Bob Shibley, the former dean of UB's School of Architecture and Planning, and Jake Schneider, an entrepreneur and developer of multiple downtown projects.

On this week's edition of Producer’s Picks of the Week, we revisit conversations with Glenn Aronow, Bukola Morgan, Susan McCartney, Dr. Marcus Watson, and Thomas Beauford.

Today, we key in on the recent work of the Buffalo Urban League and welcome Thomas Beauford Jr., the President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, to discuss the unique challenges faced by different Urban League affiliates.

Today we focus on the importance and challenges of Africana Studies in the current political climate as we welcome back Dr. Marcus Watson, an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Africana Studies at Buffalo State.

We examine workforce and small business development initiatives in Western New York, as well as the need for collaboration and support to help individuals and businesses thrive.

On this week's edition of Producer’s Picks of the Week, we revisit conversations with Ekua Mends-Aidoo, Dr. Barbara Seals-Nevergold, Lauren Kausner, & Tala Harden, Mark Baetzhold & Marthe Limage, and Justin Hawkins.

We welcome Justin Hawkins, a financial literacy educator who teaches credit strategies, and Keia Clarke, the CEO of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Clarke is a 2003 alumnus of Canisius University and will be the keynote speaker in the upcoming Women’s Leadership Summit.

We discuss the topic of homelessness in Niagara Falls by diving into the work of Heart, Love and Soul, a non-profit community-based organization that has provided services to the area since 1983.

On today’s episode, we discuss “A Shot Rang Out”, a documentary that dives into the historical context of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

We dive into the realm of artistic creativity, cultural representation, and youth education. We welcome Jalen Law, Buffalo-based artist and educator, who recently finished his mural "The Future is Our Canvas" for the NFTA Black History Month contest.

In our final installment,, of our sit-down series with the major candidates, we hear from the person currently leading City Hall. We welcome Chris Scanlon, the Acting Mayor of the City of Buffalo.

We welcome three people integral to the planning of the Harriet Tubman Byway, a proposed 550-mile cultural heritage tourism route in New York State, crossing over 22 counties with aim to connect sites related to Harriett Tubman and the Underground Railroad.

We continue to sit down with the candidates for the upcoming Buffalo mayoral election. Today, we welcome Michael Gainer, Founder of Buffalo ReUse, and a member of the East Side Parkways Coalition.

On this week’s edition of Producer’s Picks of the Week, we bring you three highlighted segments from the previous week: Dr. Kenyani Davis, Rachel Laster, and Jay Carrier.

On this episode, we welcome Rachel Laster, a dietitian, nutritionist and the owner of Real-Life Dietetics and Consulting, and artist Jay Carrier to talk about his powerful exhibition, “Niagara, It’s Great to Be Here”.

Dr. Kenyani Davis, the Chief Medical Officer at the Community Health Centers of Buffalo, discusses the impact of federal budget cuts on healthcare equity and the broader implications of federal policies on healthcare access and outcomes.

We bring you the highlights of three conversations: Cindy Voelker, the CEO of Spectrum Health, Celebrity Chef Bobby Anderson, and Albert Chao, an architect looking to revitalize the site of the late Robert Traynham Coles’ historic studio

Albert Chao, an architect currently working out of the late Robert Traynham Coles’ historic studio, to discuss the Cole’s House Project, an initiative meant to restore the house, engage the community, and highlight its role in resisting harmful infrastructure.

We bring you a special conversation with Celebrity Chef Bobby Anderson, the founder of F-Bites, a culinary program designed to improve the employment rates and opportunities of young people in Niagara Falls through the development of workforce skills in a culinary setting.

WBFO Disability Reporter Emyle Watkins sits down with Dr. Sami Schalk, a disability scholar, professor of Gender and Women’s Studies, and author of “Black Disability Politics”, then, we welcome Cindy Voelker, the CEO of Spectrum Health.

First, we revisit our conversation with Shantelle Patton, the founder of That Brown Bag. Next, we revisit our discussion with Magdalena Nichols and Anna Mongo, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Program Officer of Jericho Road Community Health Center.

Magdalena Nichols & Anna Mongo, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Program Officer of Jericho Road Community Health Center, discuss health disparities in the refugee population & the positive impact that refugee resettlement & community investments can have on WNY.