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  • Restorative Justice and School Suspensions in Buffalo Public Schools

    Restorative Justice and School Suspensions in Buffalo Public Schools
    2026/03/16
    Buffalo Public Schools are under scrutiny following the New York State Attorney General’s investigation into student suspensions and disciplinary practices. In this episode of What’s Next?, Dina Thompson of the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition and training director Andy Prinzing speak with contributor Ekua Mends-Aidoo about how restorative justice can help address the root causes of student behavior, strengthen relationships in schools, and significantly reduce suspensions.
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    55 分
  • Honoring Women’s Voices on What’s Next

    Honoring Women’s Voices on What’s Next
    2026/03/11
    In recognition of Women’s History Month, this episode of What’s Next? revisits powerful conversations with women making a difference across Western New York. We begin with Sharon Sanford, founder of the Sadie Strong Project, who shares her journey as a breast cancer survivor and her mission to promote early detection, healthy living, and empowerment for women affected by breast cancer. We also hear from dietitian and nutritionist Rachel Laster as she discusses the challenges of maintaining New Year’s resolutions and the importance of sustainable, long term dietary habits.
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    55 分
  • How Neighborhood Centers Are Supporting Buffalo Families

    How Neighborhood Centers Are Supporting Buffalo Families
    2026/03/09
    Neighborhood centers have long supported families across Buffalo, but community needs are growing. On this episode of What’s Next?, Chandra Redfern, CEO of the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, discusses rising demand for services including food access, childcare support, and programs for older adults. She also shares how the organization is shifting to dignity centered food shares and how a new 1.2 million dollar grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation will expand respite care for caregivers.
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    55 分
  • The Nursing Home Funding Crisis

    The Nursing Home Funding Crisis
    2026/03/04
    Western New York has lost eight not-for-profit nursing homes since 2014, with providers citing chronic Medicaid underfunding and daily losses of up to $150 per resident. As lawmakers debate the New York State budget, advocates are pushing for $750 million to stabilize nursing homes and prevent more closures. Sebrina Barrett of LeadingAge New York, Hadley Horrigan of Catholic Health, and Lisa Haglund of Heritage Ministries join What’s Next? for a conversation about funding, access to care, and what it means for families across the region.
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    55 分
  • Beyond Punishment: Rethinking School Discipline

    Beyond Punishment: Rethinking School Discipline
    2026/03/02
    The New York Attorney General’s investigation into suspension practices in the Buffalo Public School system confirmed what many families have long raised as concerns. Black students are six times more likely to be suspended than white students, and Latino students four times more likely. The findings led to an Assurance of Discontinuance agreement requiring reforms, including a shift toward restorative practices, greater transparency, and oversight from an independent monitor and district ombudsman. Education advocate Jessica Bauer Walker and community leader Sam Radford join What’s Next? to discuss what this agreement means for students, parents, and the future of accountability in Buffalo schools.
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    不明
  • The Sankofa Vision

    The Sankofa Vision
    2026/02/25
    Emmanuel Kulu, founder of the Ancient African Antiquities Research Institute of America and creator of the Sankofa Conference, joins What’s Next to discuss this year’s theme, Know Thyself: A Call to the Diaspora. As the conference approaches, Kulu reflects on the importance of historical awareness, cultural identity, and reconnecting across the African diaspora. A conversation about knowledge, self-discovery, and the responsibility to understand who we are in order to shape where we are going.
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    56 分
  • Reclaiming Africa’s Story: Across Generations, Across the Diaspora

    Reclaiming Africa’s Story: Across Generations, Across the Diaspora
    2026/02/23
    British journalist and historian Zeinab Badawi joins What’s Next to discuss her six-year project, The History of Africa, a sweeping 20-part series and companion book spanning 30 countries and centering African voices in the telling of the continent’s story. As the virtual guest speaker for the Sankofa Conference, she reflects on why reclaiming history matters now more than ever. We also hear from community builder Juweria Dahir and her son Gerbriel Sharif, a young historian, as they discuss remembering African history beyond narratives of struggle and strengthening connections across the diaspora.
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    55 分
  • Access, Advocacy, and Empowerment

    Access, Advocacy, and Empowerment
    2026/02/18
    Bill O’Connell, the new Executive Director of Neighborhood Legal Services, discusses his path to the organization and the systemic challenges facing public benefits programs, along with his vision for expanding access to justice. We also continue our preview of the Sankofa Conference with Talia Johnson-Huff, founder of MWBE Constructors Inc. and creator of the Black Business Curriculum.
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    55 分