The Public Good

Behind the glass of a luxury downtown Buffalo building, ICE runs holding cells and a regional field office. The owner, Uniland Development, makes about $2 million a year from that lease. It expires March 31, 2027.

In this episode of The Public Good, Andrea Ó Súilleabháin of Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) is joined by Evict ICE organizers Tom Griffin and Holly Verret to talk about the campaign asking Uniland not to renew the lease at 250 Delaware.

They cover what most people don’t know about the building. ICE’s Buffalo office plans operations across upstate New York outside the downstate region, and it oversees the Batavia Federal Detention Facility. Campaign research found 237 people were held in the cells from February 2025 to March 2026. 33 were under 18.

They also talk about the public money behind the building. Uniland received nearly $10 million in tax breaks to build it and still gets a tax abatement every year. The organizers explain why that matters at a time when the city is talking about raising property taxes.

And they share how people are fighting back. The campaign has weekly gatherings every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 PM in front of 250 Delaware, a paper and online petition, a street team, and support from nearly 50 community groups and several elected officials. Their organizing also helped keep a Department of Homeland Security hiring event out of the county-owned convention center.

In this episode:

• What ICE is doing inside 250 Delaware
• How public subsidies and tax breaks fit in
• Why the ask is simple: do not renew the lease
• How to get involved, whatever your skills or comfort level

Join the weekly gathering, sign the petition, and bring a friend.

🎙️ The Public Good Podcast, brought to you by Partnership for the Public Good, centers conversations with leaders and changemakers working toward a more just, equitable Buffalo.

▶️ Subscribe for more conversations shaping the future of Western New York.

Homelessness is rising across Western New York, and many people are entering the homeless response system for the first time.

In this episode of The Public Good, host Dejia James of Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) and Cornell High Road Fellow Sammi Wu are joined by Daniella Gallego and Haley Diagostino of the Homeless Alliance of Western New York.

They discuss what’s driving the increase in homelessness, why older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness, and how rising housing costs, eviction, loss of income, and limited affordable housing are affecting people across the region.

They also break down how Western New York’s homeless response system works, what changing federal funding could mean for local programs, and how community members can support advocacy and outreach.

In this episode:

• Why homelessness is increasing in Western New York
• The rise in older adult homelessness
• What the Point-in-Time Count tells us
• How federal funding supports local housing programs
• What residents can do to help

Lowest bidder wins. That's the rule for public food purchases in New York. It's why school cafeterias and public institutions end up buying processed food from big out-of-state corporations instead of local farms.

In this episode of The Public Good, host Dejia James of Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) is joined by Ms. Della Miller and Jessica Gilbert Overland of the Good Food Buffalo Coalition for a deep dive into the fight for food justice in New York State and right here in Buffalo.

They break down the Good Food New York Bill, legislation that would let public institutions spend up to 10% more to prioritize local economies, nutrition, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, racial equity, a valued workforce, and a valued agricultural sector. The bill passed both houses in 2024 and was vetoed. It passed again in 2026, and the coalition is now pushing for the governor's signature.

They also talk about why Buffalo needs a centralized Office of Food Systems and Urban Agriculture to end the runaround residents face just trying to access a vacant lot or report a sanitation issue, and why "food apartheid" is the more honest term than "food desert." These aren't accidents. They're the result of policy choices.

In this episode:

• The history and goals of the Good Food New York Bill
• Why racial equity is central to food procurement reform
• What an Office of Food Systems and Urban Agriculture would do for Buffalo
• Food apartheid vs. food desert: why language matters

Mold. No heat. Crumbling infrastructure. Residents of Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority properties have been living in these conditions for decades — and the people in charge have largely looked the other way.

In this episode of The Public Good, host Dejia James of Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) is joined by community activist Nate Boyd and organizer John Washington, co-founder of the National Tenant Union Federation, for a candid and powerful conversation on the ongoing crisis inside BMHA public housing. They trace the roots of public housing segregation and redlining, document the harrowing conditions residents face today, and detail their months-long fight to hold the BMHA executive director and Buffalo's Common Council accountable — with more action on the way.

🎙️ The Public Good Podcast, brought to you by Partnership for the Public Good, centers conversations with leaders and changemakers working toward a more just, equitable Buffalo.

When the Kensington Expressway was built in the 1960s, it didn't just bring a highway to Buffalo's East Side — it destroyed Humboldt Parkway, one of Frederick Law Olmsted's crown jewels, and displaced an entire community. Decades later, East Side residents are still fighting to get it back.In this episode of The Public Good, host Dejia James of Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) sits down with Indy Walton, Eddie Quartain, and Mama Barr of the East Side Parkways Coalition — the grassroots group that successfully sued the Department of Transportation to restart the planning process for the 33. Together, they break down what full restoration of Humboldt Parkway would mean for the neighborhood, what's really happening inside those community "listening" sessions, and why accountability from elected officials is long overdue.🎙️ The Public Good Podcast, brought to you by Partnership for the Public Good, centers conversations with leaders and changemakers working toward a more just, equitable Buffalo.▶️ Subscribe for more conversations shaping the future of Western New York.

In this episode of The Public Good, host Dejia James of Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) is joined by Sherri Scavone, CEO of the WNY Women’s Foundation, and LuAnne Brown, Executive Director of the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, for an in-depth conversation on the systemic barriers impacting women, families, and workforce participation across Western New York.They discuss how childcare costs, transportation challenges, wage gaps, and limited access to education continue to restrict upward mobility, especially for women of color and low income families. The conversation highlights how these issues are deeply connected, shaping health outcomes, economic stability, and long term opportunity.

The episode also spotlights a community-driven solution: the Strong Families, Strong Futures Workforce Development Expo, taking place April 14 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center. This free, public event connects community members to job training programs, educational opportunities, and career pathways—while also providing critical support services to help individuals take the next step toward economic mobility.Learn more about Strong Families, Strong Futures Workforce Development Expo | April 14 | 10 AM – 1 PM | Buffalo Educational Opportunity CenterBe sure to like, comment, and subscribe to PPGBuffalo and The Public Good on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts to stay connected to more conversations shaping the future of Western New York.

What is the threat we face in America and beyond our borders? Following yesterday’s State of the Union, Dr. Taylor brings us a nuanced, factual and reality based perspective on the true state of our Union.
In the latest episode of The Public Good Podcast, Dr. Taylor offers a powerful critique of racist authoritarianism in the United States, explores the challenges facing Black leadership, and explains how federal policy decisions shape local neighborhoods. The conversation is both a call to action and a roadmap for building a more just and equitable society rooted in community control and collective responsibility.
The Public Good Podcast, brought to you by Partnership for the Public Good, centers conversations with leaders and changemakers working toward a more just, equitable Buffalo.

The Kensington Expressway (33) project is back at a pivotal moment.In this episode of The Public Good Podcast, host Dejia Marie James of the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) speaks with Taje Jenkins-Jones and Ryan Whalen from the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) about the future of the Route 33 project following a court-ordered pause for additional environmental review.The conversation covers DOT’s current community listening sessions, the importance of public input, and how a more transformative, community-centered approach can address safety, traffic, and neighborhood impact without rushing the process. Learn more: https://queencityforward.dot.ny.gov/Queen City Forward Facebook

The Public Good Podcast is joined by Alok Pinto and Taylor from Buffalo DSA to discuss the moment of democratic socialism and its growing influence in American elections.They explore the ideological differences between liberalism and democratic socialism, the importance of class analysis in addressing systemic oppression, and why the Democratic Party has struggled to meet working-class needs. The conversation also highlights the promise and challenges of democratic socialist campaigns—like Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral bid in New York City—and what a working-class movement could mean for the future of our communities.

This week, The Public Good explores how steep shifts in federal immigration policy are affecting Buffalo Niagara’s immigrant communities.
Guests Hagar Hafez, Merveilles Biende Katumba, and Anna Porter from the New York Immigration Coalition discuss how fear and uncertainty ripple through families—and how community, culture, and art can help rebuild trust and connection.
The episode highlights “The Home Within,” a cultural celebration of language and identity taking place October 30 at the Buffalo History Museum, featuring poetry, music, and food that honor immigrant resilience and belonging.

Tune in for a conversation on language access, cultural expression, and the power of art to overcome isolation and foster empathy.