African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]>

Chair of the National Council of Urban Boards of Education, Florence D. Johnson was a member and former president of the City of Buffalo Board of Education. She served for 25 years. She chaired the strategic planning committee for that board and is its delegate to the Federal Network Advocacy Association. She served on the Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association and in 1999 served as vice chair of the National Council of Urban Boards of Education.


Listed in Who's Who in American Education, Ms. Johnson is the recipient of numerous awards for her work in education. She has been honored with the Jayne Kadey Award for Teaching Excellence; the Buffalo State College President's Award for Excellence; the New York State Governor's Award for African Americans of Distinction; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Edgar A. Love Scholarship Award; and the Education Award from the National Conference of Christian and Jews. She was selected to serve on the New York State Commissioner of Education's Advisory Board, and serves on the Council of Great City Schools representing the Buffalo Board of Education.


She was an enthusiastic board member of the Olmsted Park Conservancy, and First Vice Chair of the Hamlin Park Taxpayers & Community Association.
Among her many honors for her career include Buffalo Spree Magazine's 2006 listing as one of the Ten Most Powerful Western New York Women.


Ms. Johnson has been an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church for 45 years. During this period she served as Director of Christian Education, teacher of the Sunday School Department, and worked in the Outreach Mission for the EPIC Board to disseminate information to teenage parents on effective parenting. She serves as a member of the Calvary Adult Choir and received the Network of Religious Communities Award - Inter Religious Ecumenical Award.

Ms. Johnson is married to Mr. George Johnson and has two sons, George, Jr. and Isaac.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> African American veterans--Interviews.]]> He was shocked that racism also existed in Buffalo, but he remained there to assist his uncle in caring for his ailing Aunt. He graduated from Lafayette High School in Buffalo, then earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Buffalo. In 2002, Rev. Pierce was licensed and ordained as a Minister of the Gospel.

Rev. Pierce was an exemplary and devoted leader in the U.S. Army for 18 ½ years. He has served in the Regular Army, Active Reserve Component, and National Guard. Rev. Pierce was a member of the Military Police Corps and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class E7. He continues to serve in the American Legion Jesse Clipper Post No. 430, where he was Post Commander from 2013-2014-2021-2022. During Army Basic at Fort Hood, Texas, Pierce's fellow trainee was Elvis Presley. His first overseas assignment was in Gelnhausen, Germany. His Company Commander was 1st Lt. Colin Powell, the future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pierce is the founder and first Executive Director of the B.U.I.L.D. Halfway House. As President of the Pilgrim Baptist Church Housing Corporation, he was instrumental in constructing Pilgrim Village, an eighty-unit low-income housing development located north of the Medical Corridor between Michigan Avenue and Ellicott Street.

In 1970, Reverend Pierce relocated to Cheektowaga, New York. In 1971, Rev. Pierce was alerted by his family that something was afire on his front lawn. Rev. Pierce observed that a cross was burning. He instructed his family to remain inside while he armed himself with a pistol and exited his house through the garage. Three men were standing in front of the cross. He ordered them to extinguish the burning cross and leave his property immediately or be shot. They chose the former.

In 1974, he was arrested along with seven members of the B.U.I.L.D. Organization for demonstrating against police brutality in Buffalo. In 1977, he was arrested in Cheektowaga for demonstrating against employment discrimination. His efforts in the struggle for racial justice in Cheektowaga resulted in two misdemeanor convictions, both of which he refers to as his "badges of honor." Also, in 1977, his home had to be protected by the F.B.I. for a year due to threats received by his entire family. Upon investigation, the federal government determined that the Town of Cheektowaga was guilty of employment discrimination, and Cheektowaga was ordered to reform its hiring practices. This paved the way for hiring the first African American in Cheektowaga.

He was a Plant Security Officer at the Bethlehem Steel Plant in Lackawanna, where he served as President of Guards Local 2332, AFL-CIO. Rev. Pierce retired in 1997 as Deputy Superintendent of the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden, New York. He served as Commissioner of The Erie County Conditional Release Commission. Rev. Pierce also served as Chairperson of The Erie County Community Advisory Board.

Memberships:
American Correctional Association
American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement
Lambda Alpha Epsilon (Professional Criminal Justice Fraternity)
Buffalo State Alumni Association
University of Buffalo Alumni Association
Saint John Lodge, Free and Accepted Mason
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 3-3
Disabled American Veterans, Post No. 150
American Legion Jesse Clipper Post No. 430
Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora

He has received several Outstanding Service Awards from the community: Award of Excellence from Group Ministries, Inc.; Two Black Achievers Awards, Martin Luther King. Jr. Award; Labor Unionist of the year; Boy Scout Leader of the Year; Buffalo Branch, N.A.A.C.P., Medgar Evers Civil Rights Award, Southern Christian Leadership Outstanding Service to The Community and American Legion Jesse Clipper Post 430, Legionnaire of the Year Award.

Rev. Pierce gives God the Glory for all of his accomplishments. He has been married sixty-four years to his beautiful wife Sharon, his rock. She has walked beside him and encouraged his many pursuits. He is the proud father of four children: Darwin, Eugene Jr., and Denothras. His hobbies include photography and fishing.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> African Americans in medicine]]>
Velma was employed from 1953 to 1996 at Buffalo General Hospital, as a Supervisor in Cardiac Angiology, Department of Medicine. She retired in 1996. While working at Buffalo General, she attended Bryant & Stratton College and the University at Buffalo. After retiring from Buffalo General, Velma worked another decade as a bus aide supervisor beginning in 1996. She was a supervisor of bus aides. She often personally worked on the routes that had students, who were considered the most disruptive. She developed special relationships with those students and modeled behavior management for the other bus aides. She was the supervisor of bus aides.

Velma became a member of The Harriet Tubman 300's Inc. in 1976. The organization was formed in 1975 to preserve the legacy of its namesake, Velma has held a 51-year tenure as the longest-tenured member as well as the oldest member of the organization. She is still an active member serving as President. In 1996, the Harriet Tubman 300's co-sponsored a historical marker at Freedom Park (formerly known as Broderick Park) in Buffalo's Black Rock district. The marker denotes the site as a former "Underground Railroad River Crossing" into Canada.

In 1979, Velma co-founded the Buffalo Chapter of the Cousins, an affiliate of the largest Black Family Ancestral Groups in America. It boasts over 3500 cousins. Velma was awarded the Black Achiever Award in 1995. She is a lifetime member of St. Luke/Durham Memorial AME Zion Church, 17 E. Eagle Street in Buffalo. She is grateful to be a two-time cancer survivor and enjoying life.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Oral history]]> African American physicians]]>
The son of an A.M.E. Zion minister, Dr. Quick was born and raised in Morehead City, North Carolina. Dr. Quick earned a bachelor's degree in biology, while on a football scholarship, from Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina in 1966. He earned a M.S. Degree in Air Pollution Toxicology from the School of Pharmacy of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1969. In 1973 he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Albany Medical College in Albany, New York. He completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine at the Deaconess Hospital of Buffalo and Women's and Children Hospital of Buffalo from 1973 to 1976. From 1977 to 1982, Dr. Quick worked as an evening staff physician at the Jesse Nash Community Health Center. Following 10 years of private medical practice in Buffalo, Dr. Quick joined the Medical Department of the General Motors Corporation in 1981.

Dr. Quick is a former member of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine Admissions Committee and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Urban League. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Grace Manor Nursing Home. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the St. John Christian Academy. He is also a board member of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County and was recently appointed to represent Buffalo and Erie County on the New York State level with the United Way. He donates many hours in efforts to decrease teenage pregnancy and increase the awareness level of teens to sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.

Dr. Quick has received numerous awards and honors including: the Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding and Dedicated Service presented by the Student National Medical Association; citation awarded for outstanding service on the Medical Admissions Committee, School of Medicine, University at Buffalo 1978-81; Award of Recognition for his continuing humanitarian work, which positively influences children, strengthens families and empowers communities to improve the quality of life for all children and adults, New York State Division for Youth, 1995; Humanitarian Award, Lakeside Family & Children's Services, Spring Valley, New York, 1995; Black Achiever in Industry Award, 1490 Enterprises, Inc., 2000; and Student Choice Award, Best Evening Seminar Speaker, Upward Bound Programs, SUNY, 2002.

Dr. Quick is a member of the National Medical Association, American Occupational Medical Association, American Medical Association and the local and state medical societies. He is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Grand Boule, where he served as Grand Agogos and as a member of the Centennial Book Committee.

Dr. Quick is married to Joyce Ford Quick, a retired educator and an Uncrowned Queen. They have a son and daughter and a granddaughter and grandson. They reside in East Amherst, New York. Dr. Quick and his family are active members of St. John Baptist Church in Buffalo, where he serves as a Deacon and Mrs. Quick as a Deaconess.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Oral history]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]>
Dr. Seals Nevergold began her career as a French teacher in the Buffalo School System. She also worked as a guidance counselor in the system. Subsequent positions have included: Executive Director of Niagara Frontier Association for Sickle Cell Disease, Inc.; Vice President for Children's Services at Friendship House of Western New York, Inc.; CEO of Planned Parenthood of Buffalo and Erie County, Inc.; and Regional Director for Berkshire Farm Center. Dr. Seals Nevergold retired as the Director of Student Support Services at the University of Buffalo's Educational Opportunity Center. She has also held adjunct instructional positions at Empire State College and the University at Buffalo. Beginning in the Fall of 2006, Dr. Nevergold and fellow co-founder, Dr. Peggy Brooks-Bertram, of the Uncrowned Queens Institute began working full-time on the establishment of the Uncrowned Queens Center for Excellence at the University at Buffalo.

From 2006 to 2010 the Uncrowned Queens Center for Excellence at the University at Buffalo enhanced the work of the Institute by giving it a home and supporting the extension of the numerous programs developed and implemented by the Institute. The Uncrowned Queens Institute, founded in 1999 by Drs. Seals Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram, promotes the collection, preservation and dissemination of the individual histories of women, women's organizations and women's collective history; and to teach and educate women on the use of technology to preserve and disseminate their histories.

Dr. Nevergold was appointed an at-large member of the Buffalo Board of Education in 2012. She served as the President of the Board from July 2013 to July 2014. In May 2014, she was elected to a five year term. She has served as President of the Board from 2014 - July 2019. She is an active participant in many of the District's task groups and committees. Dr. Nevergold also serves as the 2015-17 Treasurer of the NYS Conference of Big 5 School Districts and having served as that group's President for a one year term. She was re-appointed President of the Big 5 for 2018-2019. She was a member of the Resolutions Committee of the New York State School Boards Association. She was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the Council of Great City Schools for a three year period from 2016-2019.

She also co-authored Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady (SUNY Press, 2009). The book (which is also in audio book form) features a compilation of letters and poems written to First Lady, Michelle Obama from 100 women throughout the United States and Africa. A play of the same name was co-authored by Dr. Robert Knopf, Dr. Bertram and Dr. Seals Nevergold.

Dr. Seals Nevergold has received numerous awards including: the Williams Wells Brown Award in recognition of her efforts to preserve local African American history; the UB Star Award 2001 for outstanding work on the Pan-American Exposition centennial celebration; the Excellence in Education Award from Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; the Community Service Award from the Mary B. Talbert Civic and Cultural Club; the Community Service Awards from the Community Action Organization and the Buffalo Chapter NAACP (2006). She and Dr. Brooks-Bertram were also recipients of the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award for Education from the National Conference for Community and Justice (2005) and the Keeper of the Flame Award from the National Women's Hall of Fame (2006).

Dr. Seals Nevergold is a life-member and "Silver Soror" of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since 1987. She has served the Sorority, as a member of Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter, in several capacities, including many years as Ivy Leaf Reporter and Corresponding Secretary. In addition, she is a former member of the Erie County Chapter of the Links, Inc. She has served on the Christian Education Ministry and is active in other activities at her church, St. John Baptist Church.

Dr. Seals Nevergold is married to Paul R. Nevergold and they have two adult children, Alanna Elizabeth Nevergold Marrow and Kyle Robert and four grandchildren, Naia Ellison Reese Marrow, Cameron Josef Nevergold, Nahri Elizabeth Ann-Marie Marrow and William James Nevergold.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Buffalo (N.Y.). Board of Education]]> Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]>
For thirty-four years Mrs. Henderson worked as a Prevention Specialist for the Buffalo Board of Education. While in this capacity, she was a curriculum member responsible for drug and sex education; certified HIV/AIDS instructor; coordinator of the New York State Pilot Drug Program; committee member for teacher candidate interviews; curriculum resource facilitator; and health education teacher. Her professional memberships included the Student Assistance Personnel (SAP) program, Buffalo Teachers Federation, New York State Education Association, National Education Association, Student Assistance Professionals Organization, and the Retired Teachers Organization. Mrs. Henderson retired from her position with the Board of Education in 1999.

An active member of the New Hope Baptist Church, Mrs. Henderson serves as Secretary on both the Board of Christian Education and Budget Committee. She also chaired numerous church events including the 20th Pastoral Anniversary and Retirement; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Breakfast; Graduate Recognition Banquet, Homecoming Celebration, Scholarship Committee; and Youth Enrichment Program.

Mrs. Henderson has been a very active member of The Links, Incorporated for nearly thirty years. She has served the organization on the local, regional, and national levels. She is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she currently serves as the Great Lakes Region Program Chair. In addition, Mrs. Henderson is an active member in several civic organizations. These include H&G Family Club (past President), Nardin Academy Parent's Council (past President), American Lung Association of Western New York (Board Director), New York State Lung Association (Board Director-at-large), Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society (Board Director), Afro-American Historical Society, NAACP ACT-SO, Buffalo Urban League, and American Association of University Women.

Mrs. Henderson has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her service to the community: Buffalo Ambassador (2000); Network of Religious Communities, Outstanding Ecumenical Service (2000); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter, Service Award (1999); Award of Excellence, Black Achievers in Industry (1998), 1490 Jefferson Enterprises; Buffalo Board of Education award, Services to Youth (1998); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Service Appreciation Award, Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter (1998); National Council of Negro Women, National Community Leader of the Year (1997); New York Council of Negro Women, New York State Community Leader of the Year (1997); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Helping Somebody Award (1997); Citizens Committee on Rape, Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Excellence in Leadership Award (1996); Police Community Services, D.A.R.E. Award (1996); Who's Who Among American Educators (1996); Buffalo Teachers Federation, Outstanding Dedication and Commitment Award (1995); American Lung Association of Western New York (1994); Buffalo Ambassador (1991); Outstanding Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Soror (1984); and Outstanding Young Women of America (1973).

Mrs. Henderson is married to Dr. Leon Henderson, Director of Personnel (Retired), Buffalo Board of Education. They have three children, Celia F. Settles, Leon Henderson, Jr., and Tanya E. Henderson, and four grandchildren.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc Photographie (videographer)]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> eng]]> Episcopal churches--New York (State)--Buffalo]]> Hospital administration]]> New York (State)--Amherst]]> African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo]]>

She is a Spiritual Director from St. Joseph's Center of Spirituality, and she completed the 4year program of Theological Education for Ministry by the School of Theology, from the University of the South. She also studied at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. She earned her Master's Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Hospital Administration and Planning from NYU. Her Bachelor's Degree is in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and Secondary Education from The City College of New York. She is a Cradle Episcopalian and a native of NYC.


Davis-Wilson leads the Episcopal Service at the Terrace View Long Term Care Facility. Her leadership has continually developed and grown working with the past four Bishops of western New York, and she has played a very active role on all levels of the church. In 2018 she was elected as the Provincial Clergy Representative to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church USA for 6 years. On Executive Council, she holds the title of Vice-Chair of the Joint Standing Committee of Mission Beyond the Episcopal Church. Additional roles on each level of the church are Episcopal Church USA: elected deputy to the general convention for 7 trienniums, vice-chair on the Standing Commission on National Concerns, selected as a member on 6 legislative committees.


On the Province level: ECW Province President, and Synod Council's Planning Committee for 4 trienniums. On the Diocesan level: Diocesan Council member, Race, Justice team in the mission strategy advisory group, member of the Search Committee for the 11th Bishop of WNY, and elected Lay Director of WNY Cursillo to name a few. On the Parish level: Chaired the 10th-anniversary joint ministry program, search Committee Chair for Rector, Vestry Warden, and numerous other leadership roles.


Before her ordination, in December 2011, Mrs. Davis-Wilson retired for the third time. As Deputy Town Clerk of Amherst, New York, She was mainly responsible for the fiduciary maintenance and management of the Town Bids, although she handled all aspects of the Town Clerk's office. Attributes include the establishment of a bid deposit identification system and the development of a tracking system for recommendations from the Erie County Planning Department. In 2012, she was recognized and awarded for her dedicated service as Deputy Town Clerk by the Amherst Town Board. She was the only African American employee in the Town of Amherst Office.


In 2005, Mrs. Davis-Wilson retired as Executive Director of the St. Philip's Community Center. During her 6-year tenure, she secured an NYS Registration for the church's School Age Child Care Center and obtained a 5-year grant for $120,000 per year from the NYS Advantage After School Program. Attributes include the development of partnerships with public schools and community organizations which enhanced the social, cultural, and academic experiences, and developed civic participation in advocating for after-school programming and funding. she was the recipient of both the Leadership Award from Citizen Action of WNY and a Certificate of Recognition award by New York's Governor, George E Pataki.


Davis-Wilson was a health care administrator, she held the positions of Director of Planning and Manager of Outpatient services for Erie County Medical Center. She came to Buffalo in 1983 as the Executive Director for the Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center. In August 1985 she developed and successfully opened the largest voluntary certified 59 bed ICF/MR in the state and became the largest employer of African Americans in the City. Attributes include increasing staff from 35 employees to 250, tripling patient care, and in 5 years increased revenues from six hundred thousand to 5.9 million dollars. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards for her excellent work in the health care arena, and has written a variety of articles, the last "A New Garden", a poem in Go Tell Michelle, SUNY, Press (2009). She is a member of Leadership Buffalo and was recognized as a Black Achiever.


The Reverend Deacon, Retired Hospital and Human Service Administrator, Deputy Town Clerk, Community Leader, Activist, and local/National Episcopal Church leader are some of the titles that describe the career and professional experiences of Lillian J. Davis-Wilson. She is married to Herman Wilson, and she is a mother of 5, Grandmother of 7, and Great Grandmother of 2.]]> Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc.]]> Blanc, Yves-Richard]]> ]]> eng]]> Underwood, Clarence F.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Urquhart Wilcox]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Verrees, J. Paul]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Visa: 8.802]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Visa: 9.395]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Volk, Douglas]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> W. B. King]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]> Postcards--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Photographic postcards.]]> Albright-Knox Art Gallery]]> W.G. MacFarlane (Firm)]]> Parks--New York (State)--Buffalo--Delaware Park.]]> W.G. Macfarlane, Toronto]]> ENG]]> Postcards--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> National Guard State of New York]]> W.G. MacFarlane (Firm)]]> W.G. Macfarlane, Toronto]]> ENG]]> Postcards--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Photographic postcards.]]> Buffalo Savings Bank.]]> Buffalo (N.Y.)--Buildings, structures, etc.]]> Banks and banking--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> W.G. Macfarlane, Toronto]]> ENG]]> Postcards--New York (State)--Buffalo.]]> Photographic postcards.]]> American bison.]]> W.H. Brandel, Buffalo, N.Y.]]> W. H. Brandel (artist)]]> ENG]]> Waddell, M.]]> Rare Book Room of the B&ECPL (repository)]]> eng]]> Early Twentieth Century (1900-1925)]]>