African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo
Great Migration, ca. 1914-ca. 1970
Education--New York (State)--Buffalo.
Florence Johnson is a graduate of Buffalo State College and holds a B.S. in Exceptional Education and Elementary Education as well as M.S. in Education. Presently, she served as project director for Student Support Services at Buffalo State College. In this role, she monitored the academic progress of 200 students who meet the criteria for low income and first generation attending a four-year college. Ms. Johnson established a "Summer Bridge Program" specifically designed to help in the retention of first year students at Buffalo State College. 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.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (publisher of digital)
Blanc Photographie (videographer)
Blanc, Yves-Richard
eng
African American veterans--Interviews.
Reverend Pierce spent his early childhood in Laurel, Mississippi, where he suffered under the policy of strict racial segregation. He attended schools that were inferior to those of white students. He lived in the "Colored Projects" on the other side of the tracks. Reverend Pierce had to drink from the water foundation marked "Colored Only. "When he attended the movie theater, he had to sit in the balcony. He was not allowed to use the public library or sit at the lunch counter at downtown restaurants. In 1950, he relocated to Buffalo, New York, hoping to improve his way of life. 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.
Description from Uncrowned Community Builders.
African Americans in medicine
Velma was born in Buffalo, New York on October 6, 1933. She is the eighth child of eleven children born to Ernest and Isabell McGriff. She attended public school 12 and graduated from Hutchinson Central High School. at the age of 18 years old, she married James (Dave) Ferguson on November 25th, 1950. She is the mother of three children, six grandchildren eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. 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.
Oral history
African American physicians
Winford A. Quick, M.D. is the Medical Director at the General Motors Corporation, Powertrain Division's Tonawanda Engine Plant. His responsibility is to provide quality medical care to the 1,800 plus employees at the facility. Dr. Quick was a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine form 1979 to 1983. He is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, providing on-the-job, occupational medicine experiences to residents in that department. 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.
A native of Louisiana, Dr. Seals Nevergold moved to the East side of Buffalo, New York in 1947 with her parents, the late Clara Ellis Seals and Rev. Willie B. Seals, seven brothers and sister. She is a graduate of the Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo State College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in French Education. She is also an alumnus of the University at Buffalo with Masters of Education degrees in French Education and Counseling Education. In 1986 she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree at UB in Counseling Education. Dr. Seals Nevergold also studied French at Laval University in Quebec, Canada and at the University of Dijon in Dijon, France. 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.
Buffalo (N.Y.). Board of Education
Cecelia Henderson is a native of Hampton Virginia. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where she received both an undergraduate and graduate degree. Her area of postgraduate studies was in Prevention, Crisis, and Substance Abuse. 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.
Episcopal churches--New York (State)--Buffalo
Hospital administration
New York (State)--Amherst
The Reverend Lillian Davis-Wilson was ordained in the Diocese of WNY, to the diaconate on August 29, 2015. She is assigned to St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Buffalo, New York. Her ministry is in bereavement and loss. She started a bereavement and loss support group at St. Philip's and works with the Good Grief Support Group at Calvary Episcopal Church, in Williamsville, NY. 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.
Directory of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, N. Y. : for 1900.
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, N.Y.)--Directories
Presbyterian Church--New York (State)--Buffalo--History
Directory of church members for the year 1900.
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Digital image copyright 2024 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Images in this collection are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Agent Orange
Herbicides--War use
Agent Orange--Health aspects--Vietnam
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans
During the Vietnam War, the United States used a chemical herbicide to defoliate jungle terrain and expose enemy hideouts. Agent Orange contained dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals ever created. American military personnel were exposed to the defoliant which is known to cause many types of cancer and other serious health conditions. WIVB-TV senior correspondent Rich Newberg reports on progress made by Agent Orange victims who have sought medical help and disability compensation from the Veterans Administration. He features the stories of two Vietnam Veterans from Western New York who suffered the consequences of Agent Orange exposure.
Newberg, Rich
WIVB (Television Station : Buffalo, N.Y.)
Hill, Ahmir
Copyright held by WIVB-TV. Access to this digital version provided by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Videos or images in this collection are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of WIVB-TV and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Matt, Richard
Sweat, David
Clinton Prison (Dannemora, N.Y.)
On June 6, 2015, two convicted murderers, Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. The carefully orchestrated jailbreak led to massive manhunt, with billboards put up in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, Pennsylvania and along the Canada-U.S. border. On June 16, during the search, prison employee Joyce Mitchell confessed to providing Matt and Sweat with hacksaw blades, chisels, and other tools used for the escape. WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg presents a video profile of Matt and Sweat, followed by a WIVB-TV television special, "Breakout." (Background) Richard Matt, from Tonawanda, New York, had been serving a sentence of 25 years to life for beating, torturing, and ultimately killing his former boss, William Rickerson. After breaking his neck, Matt dismembered Rickerson's body, discarding the remains in the Niagara River. Matt and an accomplice had kidnapped Rickerson from his North Tonawanda home with the intent to rob him. Matt then fled to Mexico, where he stabbed a man to death after trying to rob him. Matt was arrested and convicted of the stabbing death in Mexico. He was then extradited to the U.S. to stand trial for the murder of William Dickerson. David Sweat, raised in Binghamton area of New York, shot a Broome County sheriff's deputy multiple times before running him over with a car. He and an accomplice had been spotted by Deputy Kevin Tarsia in a parking lot while in possession of stolen firearms. After Sweat ran over Deputy Tarsia, the accomplice, Jeffrey Nabinger Jr., shot the severely wounded deputy in the face, killing him. Sweat was serving a sentence of life without parole. Matt was hunted down in Malone, New York on June 26, 2015 and killed during a confrontation with a U.S border patrol agent and a former Army Ranger. Two days later, Sweat was spotted near Constable, New York by a New York State Trooper who wanted to question him. After Sweat took off running across a hay field, Trooper Jay Cook shot him in the shoulder and arm. Sweat survived.
Buffalo Broadcasting Pioneers: Behind the Scenes
Television journalists
Television broadcasting of news
Buffalo Broadcasting Pioneers: Behind the Scenes While the first Buffalo viewers of television in 1948 may have thought the images miraculously appeared on their small screens at home, it took a coordinated effort of technicians, directors, set designers, audio and film engineers, station support personnel, and many others who worked behind the scenes, to put programs on the air. While their expertise, for the most part, was technical in nature, some possessed incredible artistic talents worthy of the public spotlight. In this series of reports by WIVB-TV'ss Rich Newberg and Jacquie Walker, these broadcasting pioneers are recognized for their contributions to the Buffalo television industry. Order of Presentation: WIVB-TV Behind the Scenes John Novelli / Technical Director, Artist Ted Patton / TV and Stage Set Designer Frank Wald / Technician Hal Case / Technician Ann Deckop / Executive Assistant Alfred Kirchhofer / First President & General Manager Bill McKibben / Station Manager under Kirchhofer
Mombrea, Mike Jr. (Photographer, editor)
Hill, Ahmir (Title Graphic Artist)
Walker, Jacquie (Reporter)
Buffalo Broadcasters Association
Buffalo TV News Archives: Our Portal to History
Television broadcasting of news--New York (State)
Television broadcasting of news--United States--History.
IN THE BEGINNING When WIVB-TV (formerly WBEN-TV) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a TV special on May 14, 1998, the use of archival news film and videotape gave viewers a window into Buffalo'ss storied history. Rich Newberg, who co-produced and co-hosted the program, wrote an article for the National Television Academy, documenting the significance of the station's successful efforts to broadcast footage dating back to the birth of television in Buffalo in 1948. Buffalo is a unique television market in that the news film and videotape archives from all three major stations have been saved. WIVB-TV (Channel 4-CBS), as well as WKBW-TV (Channel 7-ABC) and WGRZ-TV (Channel 2 - NBC), have given the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) permission to digitize their archival TV news collections and bring Western New York's moving image history back to life. Mr. Newberg, a founding member of the BBA and Hall of Fame inductee, has put together a comprehensive visual history of this extraordinary effort in Buffalo to preserve and utilize a most valuable educational resource. He served as chair of the BBA's Archive Task Force that began the process of digitizing Buffalo's TV news archives in 2011. The historical retrospective begins with excerpts from the Channel 4 documentary, "First In Western New York: 50 Golden Years on Channel 4." The featured segments are narrated by WIVB-TV former anchors Don Postles and Rich Newberg. (Runs: 8:30) LAUNCHING OF THE ARCHIVE PROJECT On March 29, 2019 the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) officially launched The Archive Project. The BBA had established written agreements with WIVB-TV (Nexstar/CBS) and WKBW-TV (Scripps/ABC) to digitize their news film and early videotape archives. WGRZ-TV (Tegna/NBC) came onboard in 2024. The moving image archive is to be used for educational use only. Through BBA fundraisers, donations, and grants from the Western New York Library Resources Council, digitized news reports and clips dating back as early as the mid-1960s began being posted on the New York Heritage website. Postings will also appear on the BBA's own website, which is currently being revamped to provide space for the archival material. These reports that aired on WIVB-TV and WKBW-TV show viewers the scope of the project and why the initiative is a valued resource for Western New York and the nation. (Runs: 5:30) ACTOR ED ASNER ENDORSES THE BBA'S ARCHIVE PROJECT On September 29, 2019, Actor Ed Asner, who played television news director Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, endorsed the BBA's Archive Project in a public service announcement. The endorsement was recorded during the time Mr. Asner was in Western New York for his performance of a one man show. Asner endorsement: "Hello. I'm Ed Asner. You may remember me as television's no-nonsense news director, Lou Grant. If you think about it, journalists provide us with our first draft of history. Right here in Buffalo, more than 50 years of TV news coverage is being brought back to life! Local stations are working with the Buffalo Broadcasters Association to bring back the stories that helped define the Niagara Frontier. It's called The Archive Project, and I support it with all my heart! So should you." (Runs: 60 seconds) THE MEMORY KEEPERS Rescuing Buffalo's Moving Image History This update on The Archive Project was presented at the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on November 4, 2021. The piece was modified in 2024 to include WGRZ-TV, which also entered into contract with the BBA for the digitization of its film and videotape archive. The progress report is written and hosted by Rich Newberg and edited by Tom Vetter. The feature lays out the challenges in preserving and utilizing Buffalo's archival TV news film and videotape. (Runs: 7:20) THE ARCHIVE PROJECT Buffalo Broadcasters Association How It All Began (5 PARTS: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) The cornerstone project of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) is to digitize Buffalo television archival news film and videotape from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s. The news film had been rescued on many occasions by Buffalo broadcasting pioneers whose vision was to someday create a moving image archive of Buffalo's rich and colorful history as told through the lens of broadcast journalists. The storage of news film from all three Buffalo network affiliates began in the 1960s. Boxes were initially kept at Buffalo Historical Society. Channel 7 eventually took back its film, while Channels 4 and 2 chose not to physically reclaim their footage. This series of features, written and produced by Rich Newberg, documents the progress and objectives of The Archive Project. The five video reports were presented during most of the BBA's Hall of Fame ceremonies between 2006 and 2011. (Runs: 22:36)
Mombrea Jr., Mike
Vetter, Tom
Terrenova, Michael
Daredevils--Niagara Falls (N.Y. and Ont.)
John "David" Munday of Caistor Centre, Ontario fixed diesel engines for a living and enjoyed being alone. He also enjoyed the "adrenaline rush" of being a daredevil. He was the first person to survive two plunges over Niagara Falls in self-designed steel barrels. Munday was 48 years old when he first conquered the Falls on October 5, 1985. His second journey over the Horseshoe Falls and into the international record books took place on September 27, 1993. Between these two incredible feats, Munday decided to challenge the treacherous currents of the Great Gorge Rapids which feed into dangerous spinning waters of the notorious Whirlpool. In a less sophisticated 600 pound barrel made of high pressure steel pipe, Munday and his assistants eluded Niagara Parks Police and lowered the barrel into the swift currents of the rapids. His five minute harrowing journey on October 11, 1987 brought him to the Whirlpool. The world got a little more insight into the motivations and fears of this thrill seeker during a series of reports by WIVB-TV's Rich Newberg. The most amazing revelation was Dave Munday's confession that he is terrified of the water and can't swim.
Poland, Solidarity Movement, Buffalo Polish Americans, Martial Law in Poland, Polish Americans
Refugees
Refugees--Poland
Martial law--Poland
Solidarity (Polish labor organization)
When martial law was imposed on the people of Poland on December 13, 1981, a vicious crackdown began against forces seeing freedom from communism. Members of the anti-communist trade union Solidarity became main targets of the military junta which seized power. Thousands were thrown in prison without trials. Western New York students studying in Poland managed to flee the country and make it safely back to Buffalo. They had many stories to tell about the abuses imposed on Polish citizens as well as an economic crisis that put Poland on the brink of bankruptcy. Buffalo, with its large Polish population, became one of the lead protest cities in the United States. They demanded that the Soviet Union loosen its grasp on Poland and allow the Polish people to choose their own destiny. President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II are often credited with helping to bring down communism in Poland. "Flight from Poland," a WIVB-TV news special hosted and co-produced by Rich Newberg, gave Buffalo viewers a comprehensive look inside Poland during this period of great turmoil. Newberg got first hand accounts from refugees and students in Buffalo who had witnessed the abuses in their homeland. In 1985, Newberg would report from Gdansk, the birthplace of Solidarity, as club wielding Zomos (paramilitary units) again arrested Solidarity demonstrators. Newberg and photojournalist Don Yearke met with Solidarity leader Lech Walesa and then with Pope John Paul II in Rome. (See "Hearts and Minds Together" and "Inside a Private Audience with Pope John Paul II.") In 1999, Newberg would again travel to Poland, this time with photojournalist Mike Mombrea, Jr., to cover Pope John Paul II's triumphant return to his homeland, now free from communist rule. The pope made a special effort to meet with a Buffalo delegation on a street in Torun, Poland. He blessed every member, showing his gratitude toward the city, whose Polish Americans never wavered in their support for a free Poland. Newberg also interviewed Lech Walesa after he had served as president of Poland. (See "The People's Pope.")
Staff involved include Karen Sacks (Producer, Writer), Mike Mombrea, Jr. (Photographer, editor), (Contributing Photographers: Joe Ader, Bill Cantwell, Don Yearke, Luis Hidalgo, Curt Louison, Jay Lauder, Micki Sellers, Mike Mombrea, Sr.), Bob Koop (Polish National Anthem Narrator), Joe Kirik (News Director), Bill Tower (Director), (Technicians: Keith Jones, Hal Case, Al Barbour, Russ Barone, Herb Steffen, Stan Nowak, Dom Zigrossi).
Inside a Private Audience with Pope John Paul II
John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005
Solidarity
Daemen College
After witnessing a 1985 crackdown on Solidarity demonstrators in Poland, a delegation from Buffalo, New York met privately with Pope John Paul II at Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence in the Roman Hills of Italy. The meeting was important to the Polish pope, who is often credited for playing a major role in the eventual fall of communism in Poland. Buffalo has a large Polish population with close ties to Poland. The pope had visited Western New York when he was Cardinal Karol Wojtyla. The private audience on September 6, 1985 had been granted in advance because of an exchange program between Daemen College in Buffalo and the Catholic University in Lublin, Poland. The pope had spent twenty-five years at the Catholic University as a professor and chairman of the Faculty of Ethics. It was the only Christian university in the Soviet Bloc. The Buffalo delegation had included a visit to the university in its travels through Poland. One of the delegation leaders, Brian Rusk, who represented Daemen College president Robert Marshall, commented to the pope that the exchange program would carry on his "words and teachings for peace and brotherhood in the world." The pope openly expressed his gratitude for support the program was receiving. During their journey through Poland, the delegation had revisited Buffalo's many ties to the Polish people (see "Hearts and Minds Together" in the collection). Another delegation leader, Richard Solecki, had a special security contact within the Solidarity movement. This relationship enabled the delegates to meet with Solidarity leader Lech Walesa minutes before his demonstrators took to the streets of Gdansk. The entire private audience with Pope John Paul II was photographed by News 4 photographer Don Yearke. It can be viewed following Rich Newberg's WIVB-TV live report from outside the pope's residence. At one point, when Newberg sought comment from the pope on Solidarity's efforts to free Poland from communism, his microphone was snatched out of his hand by a papal aide. That's when the pope took Newberg by the arm and whispered, "Without Solidarity, there can be no peace!"
Rusk, Brian
Solecki, Richard
Rutkowski, Edward
Slisz, Richard
Many so called "Baby Boomers," born after World War II, were raised by parents who subscribed to the child rearing philosophy of Dr. Benjamin Spock. In his book "Baby and child Care," written in 1946, he advises parents to rely on their natural loving instincts as the guiding principle in bringing up their children. When their children came of age to be parents, the "natural" approach was applied to many aspects of life, including child birth and breast feeding, and the purchase of toys that promoted creativity and not violence. In his series, "It's Only Natural," WIVB-TV reporter Rich Newberg, a new father whose wife gave up a teaching career to become a "stay-at-home mom," explores the norms of the 1980's. Dr. Spock is featured in his reports. In the final segment, Spock defends himself against conservative critics who blame him for being overly permissive in his advice to parents. Some of his detractors advocate spanking as a form of discipline. Spock says was never a "permissivist." He says he was singled out by critics because of his opposition to the Vietnam War.
John F. Kennedy: Western New York Visits
Rej, Joe
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Presidential elections--1960.
John F. Kennedy: Western New York Visits During his campaign for president of the United States, Senator John F. Kennedy made a stop in North Tonawanda on September 28, 1960. WBEN-TV recorded his speech, which is now part of the JFK Library in Boston. During his address, Kennedy said, "The Soviet system and our system are on trial. The question will be, which system has the longest staying power," Speaking in North Tonawanda, he said the American people have the "power, the will, the determination and the conviction" to come out ahead. On October 14, 1962, as US president, Kennedy addressed a crowd of thousands in Buffalo's Niagara Square. It was the day Buffalo's Polish community honors the memory of General Kazimierz Pulaski, a Polish hero of the American Revolution. Kennedy said that Poland, dominated by the Soviet Union at the time, must be strengthened, but that the country "has always remained free in the hearts of the Polish people." He added that the United States must "never recognize Soviet domination of East Europe as permanent." It was on this day in Buffalo, according to Joe Rej, the president of the General Pulaski Association of Western New York, that Kennedy learned of the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba. The Soviets had been building nuclear missile sites, capable of striking the United States. The news broke two days later on October 16, 1962. Kennedy initiated a blockade of Cuba. During the tense thirteen day crisis which put the world at risk of a nuclear war, an agreement was finally reached. The Soviets dismantled their missiles in Cuba. The United States removed its missiles from Turkey.
WBEN-TV, JFK Library
Urban & municipal planning
Masiello, Anthony
Buffalo Harbor (N.Y.)
Public schools--New York (State)--Buffalo--History
Urban development--Government policy
Anthony Masiello first made a name for himself as a star basketball player for the Canisius College Golden Griffins. His first shot in politics at age twenty-four netted him a seat on Buffalo's Common Council in 1971. He worked his way up to Majority Leader in 1976. After spending ten years on the Council, Masiello was elected to the New York State Senate. Serving from 1981 to 1993, he advanced to the positions of Minority Whip and Chair of the Democratic Conference. On January 1, 1994, Masiello was sworn in as Buffalo 61st mayor. He served three terms. In an interview with WIVB-TV Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg, Masiello looked back with pride on his accomplishments as mayor. He said his administration boosted Buffalo's image nationally by building up the city's medical corridor and changing Buffalo's "economic fabric." In particular, he mentioned cultural tourism and the attraction of the city's developing Inner Harbor. He also said developers were converting old historic buildings into attractive places to live, providing an incentive for people to rent or buy property downtown. During the Masiello years, eighty year old school buildings were renovated with state-of-the-art "learning laboratories." It was a ten year, state funded, billion dollar project. Masiello said, when it came to education, his one regret was that he was unable to appoint three members to the Buffalo School Board. Directly addressed the people of Buffalo, Masiello said, "I thoroughly enjoyed being your mayor." He added, "I know we've had some tough times but I never gave up on our city. I never gave up on its people, and I never gave up on its future." Because of his positive approach to governing, he said, "I think we're in a really good position to do great things as a city and as a people." Tony Masiello won twenty-three elections to public office during the span of his political career.
Teresa, Mother, Saint, 1910-1997
Niagara University
Niagara Falls (N.Y.)
On May 30, 1982, Mother Teresa of Calcutta delivered a message of love and support for the poor and the sick to graduates of Niagara University. She was granted an honorary doctorate before speaking to the graduating class. Thousands of people attended the graduation ceremonies conducted at the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center. In this WIVB-TV piece by reporter Emil Jablonski, Mother Teresa says, "The poor are a gift of God to us. They are great people. They are really lovable people." She said no one should ever feel unwanted. At a news conference she decried the fact that there are children dying of hunger while superpowers pour money into the arms race. She also spoke out against abortion. In a surprise introduction, Mother Teresa met Elizabeth Collins, a child adopted from her Calcutta mission. Elizabeth, now living in Tonawanda, got a warm embrace and told Mother Teresa she loved her. Her wish was that the founder of Missionaries of Charity could live forever. Thirty four years after her visit to Niagara University, Mother Teresa was canonized by the Catholic Church. On September 4, 2016, nineteen years after her death, she became known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
Jablonski, Emil (Reporter)
Mombrea, Sr., Mike (Photographer, Editor)