What’s Next?

We welcome Nicole Clifton, a local financial crimes expert of 20 years, and Dr. Cynthia Stewart, a Program Manager for the UB Center of Information Integrity and Executive Director for the Deception Awareness and Resilience Tools (DART) platform.

We welcome Dr. Jennifer Roberts, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, Catherine Shick, Public Relations Manager for FeedMore WNY, and Jillian Penkin, Founder of Penkin Consulting and the Northeast Regional Director of the National Association for Women in Construction.

Today we welcome Victory Ross, a Community Coordinator for the Western New York Peace Center, Win Min Thant, Director of the Crossroads Coalition, and Mike Hogan, a Business Manager for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. to discuss the motivation behind the Buffalo United March.

Today, we welcome Dr. Bonita Durand, who is currently serving as the interim president of Buffalo State University, to discuss the institution's unique approach to education, the importance of balancing liberal arts with professional training, and how Buffalo State plans to navigate potential changes in federal education funding.

We welcome back Dr. Jason Knight, an Associate Professor in Buffalo State’s College of Government, Planning, and Philosophy. He recently published a report called "Developing Opportunity: Aligning Zoning with Affordable Housing Needs".

Today, we take a closer look at Catholic Charities of Buffalo—a cornerstone of support for the WNY region, serving over 147,000 individuals and families in eight counties annually. We welcome Deacon Steve Schumer and Molly Ann Oliver, the CEO and COO of Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

On today’s show, we bring you the panel discussion that was held after a screening of the film “100 Years from Mississippi”. Moderated by Executive Producer of What’s Next, Charles Gilbert, the panel features Tarabu Kirkland, Aitina Fareed-Cooke, and Dr. Janice Ferguson.

We analyze the East Side Neighborhood Transformation Project. Led by Dr. Henry Louis-Taylor Jr., the project aims to address issues surrounding the Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood through community land trusts, cooperative housing, and a multi-sector approach to neighborhood development.

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.

We welcome back Shantelle Patton, the Founder of That Brown Bag, an annual directory that highlights Black-owned businesses, to discuss how to create better access to the directory portal and how to empower minority business owners to their potential.

We revisit two standout episodes: Jay Moran’s conversation with Dr. Annette Wysocki, the Dean of the School of Nursing at the University at Buffalo, and Jillian Hanesworth’s conversation with Alex Burgos and Talia Rodrigeuz.

Today we are joined by returning guests Alex Burgos and Talia Rodriguez to discuss in great length the Hispanic vote in Western New York and beyond, along with their thoughts on the state of the country.

First, Morgan Williams-Bryant, CEO of Leadership Buffalo, discusses some of the initiatives the group has been up to. Next, Eann Robinson and Kiman Baldon of Ear Quality LLC discuss how Ear Quality empowers and educates rising musicians.

We welcome Dr. Annette Wysocki, the Dean of the University at Buffalo’s School of Nursing, discusses how to better support nurses, who she views as one of the most needed yet least supported professions.

The What’s Next crew takes a trip to Jamestown to catch up with Kaycee Colburn, the Founder of KayCo, and Reverend Luke Fodor, Momina Di Blasio, and Sam Qadri. The three are members of the New Neighbors Coalition, a group dedicated to assisting new refugees.

WBFO brings you a special edition of What’s Next? as we break down Hochul's recent State of the State address, dividing it into six key topics: Education, Housing, Affordability, The Environment, Mental Health, and Public Safety.

Jamie Anderson, the COO of F-BITES, discusses why the skills they teach are impactful to WNY’s youth. Next, Faustenia Morrow and Pastor Paul Thomas, the organizers for the 5th Annual MLK Day of Service event at Bethel AME Church to discuss the event and the impact of MLK’s legacy.

The UB School of Social Work received a $3.59 million grant to develop the Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional Fellowship program. Dr. Katie Stalker and Dr. Annahita Ball discuss the programs funded by the grant, and how to address adolescent mental health in Western New York.

The Ujima Theater did not end up getting any of the ARP money originally allocated to them by the Buffalo Common Council. They recently received $49,000 from the $2.3 million pool of New York State Council on the Arts funds, which was imperative to the survival of the institution.

Michelle Sawyers, the recently appointed CEO of the YWCA of Western New York, sits down with Ekua Mends-Aidoo to discuss the YWCA’s impactful work that serves local women and families and her vision for the future of the YWCA.

PATH is a non-profit faith-based organization dedicated to ending human trafficking through education, prevention, and restoration. Julie Palmer discusses what PATH has been up to, and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

The International Institute of Buffalo has been integral in bringing refugees to the area with an official Refugee Status Determination from the United Nations. We welcome back Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, the Executive Director of the Institute.

We continue our series with the candidates for the upcoming Buffalo mayoral election. This edition, we welcome Judge James McLeod, a retired Buffalo City Court Judge.

We revisit conversations with Pastor Charles McCarley of the Tabernacle of Praise about the role that religious leaders play in the community, and with Jasmine Westbrook, a local healthcare advocate.

The “No New Jail” movement aims to fight Erie County’s decision to build a brand new $200 Million jail and focuses on advocating for better conditions in existing jails and how funds can be better allocated to community resources.

Rasheed Wyatt shares why he chose to run for mayor, the change he wants to see from City Hall, and how his background in finance can help the City of Buffalo navigate its problems.