After decades of economic decline, Buffalo is said to be on the upswing. However, Buffalo remains among the top five most racially segregated cities in the country.  What are the costs of segregation, not just for struggling neighborhoods but for all of society?  How can we develop economically and socially so that all members of society share in the “renaissance” of Buffalo? These and other questions will be addressed by our speakers before opening up the floor to public discussion.

Afterwards, Buffalo organizations at work on these issues will hold public info sessions at booths in the library foyer.  Organizations include OPEN Buffalo,Partnership for the Public Good, National Federation for Just Communities,Housing Opportunities Made Equal, VOICE Buffalo, and more. 

The panel will feature: 

Henry Louis Taylor Jr, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at University at Buffalo.  

Clotilde Dedecker, President and CEO of Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. 

Rev. James Giles, President of Back to Basics Ministries.

Keith Lucas, Division of Planning for the city of Buffalo.

Francisco Vasquez, President and CEO of Child & Family Services, will moderate.