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.

The Public Good explores the importance of local elections and why youth and community engagement are key to shaping Buffalo’s future.
Guests Fatima Nor, Leighton Jones, and LeMoyne Hill — representing LOLA Buffalo, Our City Buffalo, and Great for Life — share their insights on the urgent need for youth representation, more community centers, and community input on major developments like the proposed police training facility in Broadway-Fillmore.
The discussion also dives into the upcoming Board of Education and mayoral elections, the effort to reopen Buffalo’s City Charter, and calls for accessible meetings, term limits, and stronger civic education to ensure residents have a real voice in local government.
From challenging systemic disinvestment to inspiring youth leadership, this conversation is a powerful reminder that change starts with showing up — and that Buffalo’s next chapter depends on empowering its young people to build a more just, equitable, and community-centered city.
Learn More / Get Involved:
LOLA Buffalo: lolabuffalo.org
Our City Buffalo: ourcitybuffalo.com

Join Tiffany Gaines of the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Heather Gring of Frontline Arts Buffalo, Emma Brittain-Hardy of Locust Street Art, and host Dejia James for a conversation on the importance of arts funding and community engagement in Buffalo, New York. Together, they highlight the critical role that the arts play in strengthening community health, fostering youth development, and contributing to economic stability.
The discussion underscores the urgent need for public investment in the arts, with particular attention to frontline organizations built by and for underserved communities. The guests reflect on the impact of federal budget cuts, the importance of sustaining local arts programs, and the necessity of paying artists fairly for their work.

The Igniting Hope Conference builds on a community-driven health equity action plan and brings together diverse voices to confront health disparities that continue to widen under the current federal administration. Guests Samantha Hidalgo of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity and Chantazia Bronson of UB’s Community Health Equity Research Institute share why this conference is more important than ever in these tumultuous political times.
This year’s gathering is dedicated to shaping a strategic plan for health equity across primary care, healthy foods, housing, workforce development, and education and literacy. The work is urgent, as federal cuts and shifting priorities threaten critical services for Western New Yorkers.
The weekend also includes a Community Day on Friday, September 19th at MLK Park, featuring food trucks and a mobile health unit—a chance for neighbors to connect, celebrate, and access resources.
All events are free and open to the public.
une in to learn how Western New York is standing together to demand equity, build power, and chart a healthier future.
Click here for more info on the conference.

This week on The Public Good, we continue our Buffalo in Transition series with a conversation on supporting new Americans—immigrant and refugee communities who have played a major role in Buffalo’s recent population growth and are essential to the city’s future.

Host Dejia James is joined by Bijoux Bihati of Jewish Family Services, Grace Karambizi of the Buffalo Immigrant Leadership Team (BILT), and Regine Ndanga of Partnership for the Public Good. Together, they explore what it means to build a more inclusive and equitable Buffalo—especially in this moment of historic mayoral transition.

The episode highlights the growing diversity of our city and the importance of recognizing the voices, needs, and leadership of new Americans. We also discuss the urgent need for cross-cultural community solidarity to create lasting solutions and a better future for all Buffalo residents.

Listen now and read the accompanying report, "Building Better Services for New Americans."

What if Buffalo’s vacant lots could become thriving spaces for housing, gardens, and community power?

This week on The Public Good, we’re joined by Tim Chen from Grassroots Gardens of WNY, and Tendaji Ya’Ukuu and Star from Eastside Stewards for a conversation rooted in transformation. Inspired by the Buffalo in Transition series, this episode dives into how we can reimagine the city’s abundance of publicly-owned vacant land—through community-driven planning, a bold Clean and Green program, and policy changes that support neighborhood-led development.

Buffalo Public Schools suspend students for weeks or even months—at rates higher than any other district in New York State. For the second consecutive year, Community Agenda advocates are urging the Buffalo Board of Education to adopt state-recommended reforms on suspensions to reduce this harmful and disproportionate practice.

This week on The Public Good, Quinn Martha of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Judith Gerber of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, and Samantha White of the WNY Law Center join us to break down the systemic impact of school suspensions, students’ legal rights, and what real alternatives can look like.

Visit the BPS Suspension Dashboard here.

Black women are approximately three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women—a stark disparity. In honor of Black Maternal Health awareness, local leaders, healthcare professionals, and advocates come together to shine a light on the urgent and often overlooked intersection between domestic violence and Black maternal health.

This week on The Public Good, LuAnne Brown, CEO, Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network (BPPN), Catharine Miles-Kania, CEO, Family Justice Center, and Dr. J'Leise Sosa, OB-GYN join us to discuss improving outcomes through community-based support, domestic violence and Black maternal health and the clinical perspective on treatment and proper care.