During President’s Day Weekend 2008, minority legislators, community organizers and lobbyists attended the 37th Annual Black, Puerto Rican and Asian Legislative Caucus weekend, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York. The conference was held from Friday, February 15th through Sunday, February 17th 2008.

The New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators hosts this conference every year to address the issues and concerns that are pertinent to its constituencies across New York State. Several legislators and organizers hosted informational workshops ranging from homelessness and healthcare to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in urban communities. A variety of vendors presented conference goers with information and New York State memorabilia at the vendor fair. A variety of interesting merchandise was also marketed and exchanged at the vendor fair.

According to Tyrone Benton, the Executive Director of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, the caucus was formed in 1966 to establish an effective political alliance that would consistently give all minorities and the poor a real voice in state government. To date, the Caucus continues to host annual legislative forums that address the pressing issues of minorities.

This year, Assemblymember Peoples and Assemblymember Keith Wright, 70th A.D. Harlem, presented the “Race, Politics and the Press” seminar to a standing room only audience. The seminar featured local journalists, Rod Watson and Dawn Bracely, both from The Buffalo News, Errol Louis of The Daily News and Gerson Borrero from La Prensa in New York. The “Race, Politics and the Press” seminar raised questions about the portrayal of black elected officials in the media. The panelists provided suggestions on how to promote fairness in media coverage, effectively use the media to highlight positive work by elected officials, and translate policy into message through the media in an effort to better serve our communities. The seminar’s message brought a heightened awareness of the biases and stereotypes to the forefront and cautioning those in politics about the perils of a misinformed electorate. An informed public is a better community because of its ability to make educated, conscious decisions on what is going on around them and how to respond.

Assemblymember Peoples also hosted a reception, “The Crystal Lounge,” co-sponsored by Ellicott District Councilmember Brian Davis, to offer Buffalo conference attendees the opportunity to relax and network after the seminar workshops. Some exchanged business cards during the reception to foster business relationships between Downstate, intrastate and Upstate New Yorkers. At the reception, a group of attendees discussed the positive impact that the “Race, Politics and the Press” seminar could have on local communities, bringing sensible, accurate and informative news to the public. Assemblymember Peoples stated, “Hopefully, the conference and the seminar highlighted some topics of interest for conference attendees and created a spark towards change in our communities.”

For more information on the weekend’s events, please visit the Association’s website at www.nysabprl.com.

TREE PLANTING TIME IN THE OLMSTED PARKS

With spring officially here volunteers are
needed to aid in park reforestation

Volunteers are needed to plant new trees in the Buffalo Olmsted Park System this spring. The upcoming Community Tree Plantings will help aid in reforesting Buffalo’s beautiful Olmsted green spaces following the damaging October 2006, surprise storm. New trees will be planted in all of the historic Frederick Law Olmsted-designed green spaces including Cazenovia, Delaware, Front, Martin Luther King, Jr., Riverside and South Parks.

The Olmsted Community Volunteer Tree Plantings were held on Saturday, April 26 in Cazenovia, Martin Luther King, Jr. and South Parks and on Saturday, May 3 in Delaware, Front and Riverside Parks. For more information about future plantings, please call the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy at 716.838.1249 ext. 15 or on-line at www.BuffaloOlmstedParks.org.

The Buffalo Housing Steering Committee (BHSC) was awarded a grant by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York in conjunction with HSBC Bank for the Minor Home Repair Program. The Minor Home Repair Progeam will assist owner-occupants by providing up to $4,850 to make minor home repairs needed to correct exterior housing code violations. If you are interested in learning more about the Minor Home Repair program, please contact the agency in the Council District where you reside.

The passing of Assemblymember Peoples’ Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Bill marks a significant achievement in the preservation of African American history in Western New York. With distinct promise for the City of Buffalo’s tourism industry, this newly enacted law will formally establish the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission.

Under the newly created Commission, several key initiatives will develop such as: the long-term preservation and maintenance of the historic corridor; a strategic, comprehensive, expansion plan, and an evaluation of how economic development opportunities near the corridor will complement the local tourism economy. The areas targeted for preservation in the legislation include the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Nash House, the Colored Musician’s Club, the Little Harlem Night Club, and other historically significant places that were inventoried and identified by the Commission.

African American heritage has long been neglected and discounted for generations in United States history, and Western New York is no different. When coupled with neglect, poor maintenance, inadequate financial support and urban blight, the very survival of Buffalo’s African American treasures are vulnerable. In an effort to acknowledge the immeasurable value of African American history, the Commission will hope to stimulate the local economy by making the historic preservation site a tourist destination.

The areas outlined for preservation include the Michigan Street Baptist Church (#3), the Rev. Jesse Nash House (#2), and the Colored Musicians Club (#4). In addition, the home of Mary B. Talbert (#1) and the Little Harlem Night Club are commemorated although they are no longer still standing. This Commission will oversee the governing and expansion of the targeted historic area as well as provide recommendations for any oversight.

The two-block area known as the Michigan Street African American Corridor has been the center stage in the epic history of Buffalo’s black community and due to its inclusion in The National Women’s Rights History Project Act, a bill introduced in Congress by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, will receive increased national exposure, making it poised to receive resources to help sustain the historic buildings.

According to Assemblymember Crystal D. Peoples, “The Michigan Street African American Corridor will serve as an important vehicle and force, providing the foundational momentum to create various economic opportunities and investments in Buffalo, ultimately benefiting not only Western New Yorkers but all Americans.”