WOMEN OF WESTERN NEW YORK

March/April 2016 - Issue 55
Trainning Program
2016 Rachel’s
Experience
Gospel Open Mic: Every Sunday 6:30pm - 9:30m • Utica Business Center 11 E. Utica Buffalo NY 42209

The Buffalo Employment Training Center (BETC) will be hosting its Spring Job & Career Fair,
Thursday April 21 2016 from 10:00 am to 1:00pm at the BETC 77 Goodell St. Buffalo, NY
14203. Take advantage of resume workshops, dress for success help... and interviewing and
job prep classes at the BETC. Remember to dress-for-success, be on time and have an updated
resume. Only employers ready to hire immediately will be present!
The application deadline for the Buffalo Police officer exam is May 13, 2016 with
an exam date of June 18. The application fee will be waived for clients of the BETC. Additional
information available by visiting www.city-buffalo.com or 1001 City Hall 851-9614.
The NFTA Transit Authority Police Exam is May 21, 2016.
Applications can be downloaded at NFTA.COM anytime or 8am to 4pm at TAPG Headquarters
1404 Main Street. A Study Guide is available at recruitment.isolutions.org-search NFTA
Specific job announcements are posted daily on our website www.workforcebuffalo.org,
Facebook and LinkedIn at Buffalo Employment Training Center or Twitter- BETC
The Buffalo Employment and Training Center
(BETC) is a designated partnership between the
City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Erie County
Executive Mark Poloncarz that brings together a
variety of workforce development organizations
and partner agencies with the primary goal of
assisting residents of Buffalo and Erie County to
gain employment and assist employers in finding
qualified workers. The BETC is open to anyone
seeking employment and all services are FREE.
The BETC offers a wide variety of free services to
job seekers and local businesses. These include:
employee recruitment, on-the-job training, job
search assistance, career counseling, paid job
training at local schools and training institutions,
training for high school diploma or upgrade math
and reading skills and various workshops designed
to help job seekers be successful.
Some of the services the BETC provides to Job
Seekers are: Re-Entry Services, Young Adult
employment assistance (18-24), employer job
clubs, career exploration, networking job clubs,
job preparation assistance on-site GED classes and
NYS Dept. of labor job placement and referral.
Training opportunities to acquire or update skills;
job placement and career counselors, career, job
readiness and job search workshops, job listings
career research and labor market information. Three
computer labs, 33 computers with internet access,
free use of telephones, fax, copiers and mail service;
a clothes closet and self-directed tutorials.
Demone Smith, Executive Director
Orientation times are Monday through Thursday
10:00AM and 2:00PM. The Center is open Monday
to Thursday 8:30AM to 6:00PM and Friday
8:30AM to 4:30PM
Announcements
The Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG) is recruiting for candidates for
health care occupations that are in high demand. HPOG is looking to train and recruit
in the following areas: Community Health Worker, CNA/HHA, Pharmacy Technician,
Medical Secretary, Medical Assistant, BSN, RN & LPN, Medical Coder, Physical Therapy
Assistant, Surgical Technologist, Medical Lab Technologist, Respiratory Therapist,
Radiologic Technologist.
The University of Buffalo Center for Industrialized Effectiveness (TICE) is offering
a Certified Production Technician training course that will focus on safety, quality
practices & measurements, manufacturing processes & production and maintenance
awareness designed to prepare candidates for careers in advanced manufacturing. For
more information or to enroll contact 645-8800-www.tcie.buffalo.edu.
For Veterans only…A free five day Career Navigator Course is being offered that is
a no nonsense, intensive training program for job search success for veterans March 28
to April 1, 8:30am to 4:30pm VAMC 3496 Bailey. To register contact Phyllis at 819-9845
x 119.
The University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center is offering tuition-free
training programs in Medical Billing and Coding and Phlebotomy.
Erie 1 BOCES (e1b.org/adulted) 821-7500 is offering training courses in Medical Office
Assistant, CNC Machining-machinist are in demand in WNY; Automotive Service- NFTA
and City of Buffalo have a shortage of mechanics.
BWNY Magazine
11 E. Utica Buffalo NY 14209
E: will@Blackwny.com
P: 716 361-7515

Runners, take your mark! Jaslyn Porter (Niagara Falls, NY), and
Jazmin Dunham (Rochester, NY), a pair of 2-time All Americans
out of Buffalo State can tell you way better than I about the sport of
track and field, but this is the part where people begin to whisper
about who to watch. Here at Black WNY, we are closing out the
month of March and rolling into April with our ‘Women to Watch’
issue. Not for the faint at heart, this showcase of powerful women on
the move might leave you breathless. Many people say it’s a man’s
world. We at Black WNY challenge this view with our jam-packed
issue of powerful, dynamic and ambitious women. These women
do it all; everything from running a city, managing a law practice,
community organizing, pastoring, advocating for federal businesses,
and even competing in body building competitions. We think of
track and field as such an individualized sport, but you’re part of a
team, too, looking to accomplish a common goal. The women in
our community do just that, as they set records, earn awards, and
change the world. They operate individually, yet all are seeking to
accomplish the common goal of bringing success to Western New
York. These are women who start strong, finish stronger, and never
quit. We’ll see you at the finish line.
Publisher Will Jones
Edited by: Clark Charles & Jamella James
Writers :
Brittny Baxter
Chris Killings
Hope E. Ferguson
Lindsay Frazier
Karen Stanley
Mariana Cole-Rivera
Miko Noel
Jamella James
Julie A. Doerr
Sandy White
Photograpy by: Xavier’s
Special thanks to Jamella James

Dr. Catherine Collins:
by Hope E. Ferguson
In response to the AIDS crisis of the ‘80s and its potential impact on
the prison population at Attica Correctional Facility, Dr. Catherine
Collins was the first to organize a team of healthcare professionals
who presented an information sessions for inmates on prevention and
transmission of the virus. For this effort, Dr. Collins received the New
York State Health Education Award.
In 1999, the University of South Africa College of Law invited Dr.
Collins to deliver a lecture, “Why America Incarcerates so many African
Americans,” she was the first African-American female from Buffalo to
lecture on this topic. The university also arranged for Dr. Collins to visit,
interview, and record female prisoners in Johannesburg and Pretoria,
South Africa. She was informed that she was the first African-American
female from Buffalo, post-apartheid, to be allowed to film inside these
prisons. She was very surprised to learn, that at the time of her visit,
South Africa did not have the death penalty, and children of prisoners
were allowed to stay with their mothers while incarcerated. This visit,
which took place during the South African presidential election,
was included in a documentary that Dr. Collins presented to college
faculties and other audiences. At that time, Nelson Mandela was not
seeking reelection, however, the excitement about another African
male becoming president was on the mind of every South African
she spoke to (Thabo Mbeki was elected that year as South Africa’s
president). To vote, the residents of South Africa had to preregister
in April, many walking over 30 miles to do so, and then returned
months later, walking the same roads, to cast their ballots. The
experience was so moving because Dr. Collins knows all
too well that every vote counts; especially in school board
elections which generally have low voter turnout. She had
not experienced that kind of excitement until the Obama
presidential election.
Board of Regents
Originally the Board of Regents was to consist of the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, the attorney general, the speaker
of the state assembly, the mayors of New York City and Albany, two other
persons from each one of the twelve counties, and one representative of
each religious denomination in the state.
Early in the 19th century, the Regents established standards for incorporating
private academies and colleges, including specifying the texts
or subjects that academies must teach to qualify for state aid.
The Regents are responsible for the general supervision of
all educational activities within the State, presiding over The
University and the New York State Education Department.
The Regents are organized into standing committees, subcommittees and
work groups whose members and chairs are appointed by the Chancellor.

Dr. Catherine Collins:
Dr. Collins was also one of the first African-American women from Buffalo -- invited with other
women from around the world -- to attend the Oxford University Round Table discussion on the
topic of criminal justice.
During her tenure at Jack and Jill of America, Inc., as eastern regional director, she founded and
organized “Love and Hope for Homeless Children,” a regional effort serving homeless children who
were living in shelters from Boston, Massachusetts to Reston, Virginia.
While serving as the Jack and Jill Buffalo Chapter president, she introduced the Beautillion program
to the members of the chapter and solicited the help of member Ruby McKelvey to co-chair the first
event. The Beautillion, after 20-plus years, is still
held bi-annually for Buffalo high school juniors
and seniors.
While serving as health component manager for
the Model City’s Program, in collaboration with
the Erie County Health Department (Dr. Arthur
Goshen), Dr. Collins wrote the grant request,
secured the funds and established two health
clinics: Jesse Nash and Comprehensive Health
Center at 608 William Street. Dr. Jesse Nash,
whom the Health Center is named after served as
the first executive director of Model City. She was
disappointed when Model City lost HUD funding
for her idea to establish the first mobile health
clinic, the Model City Healthmobile. However,
with the funding of Model City, she was employed by the Buffalo School Board as a school nurse
assigned to School 44 where she established the first Saturday morning clinic for children who
missed their health screening during regular school hours. This was a coordinated effort utilizing
the Masten Armory, Army medical military personnel services under the leadership of Major John
Cudmore, MD.
In 2015, Dr. Collins became the first female and African American to serve on the New York State
Board of Regents, representing the 8 th Judicial District, 114 years after its inception in 1902. Dr. Collins
was elected to a five-year term. She is eternally grateful for the support of so many; Assemblywoman
Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Chairman Carl Hasting, Senators Tim Kennedy and Shawn Ryan, and so
many others too numerous to list. As the recipient of over 65 awards and recognitions, Dr. Collins is
certainly a woman who deserves to be honored for her many firsts.
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Buffalo
Alumnae Chapter have been in high gear since
August, when the initial college preparatory
workshops began for the 30 students who would
attend the Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes Black College
Tour in October. The group visited Howard
University, Hampton University, Virginia State
College and attended Homecoming festivities
at Morgan State University. In early February,
the chapter coordinated a bus trip to Albany
for high school students to get engaged in the
advocacy process and promote more state funds
Chapter president Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes
photo by Xavier’s
for summer youth jobs, partnering with Open Buffalo, the Buffalo Urban
League, The After School Network and the National Action Network.
The next big event will be Saturday, April 2nd at the Museum of Science,
when the chapter will present the African American Film and Arts
Exposition from 10 AM – 4PM. The expo aims to show youth that the
arts and creative expression can be inspiring, motivating and a positive
influence on making good life choices. A limited number of free tickets
are available by request at dstbuffaloarts@gmail.com. Throughout the
school year, Delta also runs positive youth programming for elementary
school girls through its GEMS program (Growing and Empowering Myself
Successfully), and for high school girls in the Delta Academy. Also, not
to be missed is the Jabberwock leadership program culminating gala on
May 28th. For more information, please visit dstbuffalo.org. Dr. Mattie
L. Rhodes is chapter president, and she says, “Our sisterhood could not
make such an impact on our community without our dedicated leaders
and members. I am grateful to each committee chair and each chapter
member for their commitment to our programs.
specializing in commercial and residential
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Office 716 748-1960
Ty Wallace 716 361-3113
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Buffalo N.Y. 14216
716 398-2611

City on the Rise: City of Rochester’s Mayor Lovely Warren Putting Her City Back on the Map
The City of Rochester has seen its fair share of decline over the past few
decades. The third largest city in New York State, Rochester has been riddled
with violence, drug-related crime and poverty. It has been a city struggling to
turn itself around and for the past three years, it has been under the leadership of
a woman trying to make that happen. Mayor Lovely Warren, 67th mayor of the
city and Rochester native, is a dedicated leader, committed to making a tangible
difference in her city. Working tirelessly with her team at City Hall, Mayor Warren
is trying to ensure a better future for her constituents.
Mayor Warren has made a career of public service, beginning as a council
member. Representing the poorest district in the city, Warren was dissatisfied
with the status quo of city government. She realized that many of the programs
and initiatives being put forth by city officials were not reaching her constituency.
Her decision to compete for the Mayor’s seat was prompted by the fact that the
people she represented were not being noticeably or positively impacted by
any of the “improvements” that were taking place in pockets of the city. Warren
decided that she could take on the job to help not only her constituency, but the
entire Rochester community.
Since taking office, the Mayor has had three priorities for her city:
1) Improving education;
2) Increasing safety in the community;
3) Fostering economic development throughout Rochester
Her time has not been wasted. Rochester has begun to see growth from neighborhood
communities to the downtown area. Development projects are underway
throughout the city, improvements to infrastructure has begun and business
projects are expanding to help turn around a struggling economy.
Acknowledging that drug and gun-related violence have been a particularly
difficult challenge during her tenure, Warren is encouraged by the city’s growth.
She feels the visible improvements are a beacon of hope for residents to see
the positive changes that can restore community pride, achievement and unity.
Warren and her team work to ensure that preventative measures are in place to
combat the violence before it occurs; however, for those who choose to take the
wrong path, consequences are serious. She hopes that the many preventative
programs available to families will steer people away from resorting to violence;
but wants to be clear that violence and crime are not acceptable, and that all
within her power will be done to keep criminal activity to a minimum.
In keeping with crime prevention, Warren is a huge supporter of education.
According to Warren, education – particularly early childhood education – is
paramount to breaking cycles of poverty and violence. Warren states, “[We
must] work to make the pipeline secure to help people already in the pipeline.”
By providing children with quality education at a young age, they develop the
important cognitive and emotional skills necessary to make sound choices as
they move into teenage years and adulthood. This year, Warren rolled out her
“3-to-3 Initiative,” which strives to get more students reading at grade level by
the end of their third grade year in school. The more successful students are at
mastering reading at young age, the more likely they are to do well in middle and
high school, and graduate on time. The 3-to-3 Initiative has created new early
childhood programs in libraries and R-Centers (City of Rochester recreation and
community centers); partnered with agencies to engage at-risk parents in programs
which provide resources and tools for encouraging development and literacy in
young children; secured grant funds to expand educational opportunities, such as
PK3; and partnered with agencies to provide early childhood screenings to detect
Mayor Lovely Warren
photo by: Xavier’s

City on the Rise:
City of Rochester’s Mayor Lovely Warren Putting
Her City Back on the Map
by Staci A. Cameron
developmental disabilities in children
prior to the age of three. The goal
is to identify issues which can be
addressed so that remediation begins
prior to children starting school. In
addition, Warren has overseen
the implementation of programs
which assist expectant parents in
preparing to support their children’s
development. These prenatal
programs encourage parents to
read to their children every night,
provide healthy food choices
and exercise for their children,
provide safe living and social
environments for their children,
keep regular appointments for
well-child visits to the pediatrician
and spend time playing with
their children. With all of these
initiatives, Warren hopes to make a positive impact on the families, thereby
breaking cycles of poverty and illiteracy. Warren says, “If you effect change
on behalf of the community – help the weakest link in the community –
the whole community feels the impact.”
A recent appointee as co-chair of the National League of Cities Committee
on Youth, Education and Families, Mayor Warren does not just pay lipservice
to her city. She practices what she preaches to promote reading
in youth. Warren makes monthly visits to schools to read to and with
students so that they can see her in person. The Mayor says the best parts
of her job are these school visits and when students come to City Hall to
visit her office. “[They] need to see you and feel your presence so youth
know their importance.”
Named after her aunt – who was an inspiration to her
“help the weakest family by being the first to attend college and earn
link in the her Ph.D. – Lovely Ann Warren is the first woman to
community – the be appointed to the Office of the Mayor. Warren is
whole community not intimidated by this challenge. In fact, she feels
feels the impact.” that she offers a different perspective to help her
Mayor Lovely Warren community realize that what impacts the individual,
impacts the entire city. As the example was set for her
by her aunt, Warren hopes to instill in her daughter
the same values of hard work and service that she is showing her city. It
is Mayor Warren’s goal to be a beacon to lead for her more city back Info into an era
of growth, unity and prosperity. Mayor Warren is call certainly Leslie on the right
track and the community of Rochester is undoubtedly long overdue for
this positive regeneration.
716 602-6919
Rachel’s Experience
RE members from 2015
Experience, RE, is a faith-based organization that helps women, families and communities
prevent diseases, promote healthy cognition and produce spiritual fruit. RE 2016 experience
is right around the corner. Our Breakfast Orientation is April 2, 2016. Each of the 7 sessions
will be held at Sisters Hospital (consecutive Thursdays after the 2nd of April). Each session
includes spiritual and healthy cognition sessions. For your fitness support, your registration
fee will include a 2 month membership to the YMCA and you will receive fitness instruction
7 consecutive Saturdays at 8AM.
Sisters, you must not miss this experience. This is a valuable opportunity at a
reasonable cost. You will meet new friends while improving all life areas in a
safe confidential environment. We are waiting to meet you and give you the
supports you desire.
https://www.facebook.com/rachelsexperience
Erin M. Moss, one of our
women featured, serves on
the Crisis Services Board
of Directors. Come out and
walk with her to support the
Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes
fundraiser for support to end
sexual violence.

An Interview with Reverend Sharon Baugh:
Checking Our Moral Compass
Reverend Sharon Baugh is most definitely a woman to watch. A Buffalo native, mother and Pastor of
St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, Rev. Baugh offers a unique perspective on the state of our imperfect
union, amongst other things, through words of wisdom, peace, and direction in a new age.
Here, Reverend Baugh discusses the deterioration and growth of the church, the effect of capitalism
on marriage, Hillary Clinton’s race to the Oval, and much more.
Being Called to Teach
JJ: Sharon, that’s a Biblical name, right? Were you named after a prominent female
figure in the Bible?
Rev. Baugh: “No, I think my parents just named me Sharon because they liked it.” (laughter)
“Actually my parents are originally from the south. Rome, GA. And when they came up here
looking for work --like most people did in the 50’s-- there was a minister named Rev. Otis
Vaughn, who started a church, and he used to run with my grandfather. That’s when they used
to drink in the clubs and all that kind of stuff. So when he started this storefront church here in
Buffalo, he asked my mother, because he knew my grandfather, to be a part of that. It was called
A.M.E. Zion Church.
Rev. Vaughn, my father, my mother and my aunt were founding members of that church. And so
I was born into the church. When I was 6, it moved to 1301 Genesee St. where they purchased
a formal building. It was there that I began to love the Lord; I began to love teaching; but, more
than anything else, I loved the community of church.
JJ: And you knew that at age 6?
Rev. Baugh: “Well, yea, . . . I grew up in it. At the age of 10, that was really impressed
upon me. But, unfortunately, by the time I got to be a teenager, the church had started to
deteriorate. The church no longer had its large youth population, no longer viable the
way it once was, and so by the time I was 16, I was Superintendent of Sunday School at
the church. I ran it, not because people saw anything special in me, per se, but I think
it was my willingness to work.
As I got into my 40’s, I started hearing a call on my life to preach. People out of the
Sharon Baugh
Pastor of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church
by: Jamella James, JD
blue asking me . . . one time, we had an Evangelist come to A.M.E. Zion Church, she came
down off the pulpit, she looked at me and said, ‘you know you’re called to preach.’ So I’ve had
several confirmations that the Lord was calling me to preach.”
Ordained to Preach
JJ: Let’s fast forward to the church you are pastor of now, St. Mark A.M.E. Zion. What’s
the community like over there in Lackawanna?
Rev. Baugh: “I’m blessed in one sense that I don’t have a lot of drama issues, because I have small
a congregation; they love each other, and they’ll do whatever they can for the church. But, the
church at one time had 350 general claimants, or full active members, beyond visitors. That was
tied to the fact that many of the congregants were the men who worked at Bethlehem Steel and
women who were stay at home moms. They had daycare there, and ministries there, the church
was doing extremely well. But when Bethlehem Steel went down, the city took a huge blow and
so did the church. Now that I’m there, I have real hope that the church will reemerge.”
JJ: You have a secular 40hr/week job. Would you like to make preaching your only job?
Rev. Baugh: “That is the ideal choice, but St. Mark’s is not in a position to pay a full-time salary.”
JJ: Pastors get paid?
Rev. Baugh: “Pastors get paid. Pastors have to eat. They have to have shelter. It’s the church’s
responsibility to take care of the Pastor and his or her family. St. Mark has not been in that
position for a while, so you’d have to have some type of income source to pastor at that church.”

Trained to Lead
JJ: “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman
to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” (1
Timothy 2:11-12 KJV) What’s the deal with that? So, women can’t preach?
Rev. Baugh: “The Christian Church came out of Judaism. Judaism did not teach
women at all. Boys were trained up until the age of 12; women were not. When
Jesus had disciples, Mary Magdalene was at His feet learning; Martha was
complaining because Mary wasn’t helping her with domestic work and Jesus
said, ‘Mary has chosen the good part.’ (Luke 10:42 KJV)
So, with the Christian religion, women began to be taught and to learn, as they
had never been taught Old Testament Law. They would ask some basic, ‘Sunday
school,’ questions.
You have to understand the context of the time. But, the same Pastors that say
that women cannot preach, have those same women as Sunday school teachers,
as trustees, take these women’s money, everything else except let them in the
pulpit. That’s hypocritical. If you’re going to follow that, don’t let them say a word.
According to that, they couldn’t say ‘Halleluiah.’ She wouldn’t be in the choir,
she wouldn’t do anything. That same Paul said, ‘there’s no Greek, there’s no Jew,
there’s no male, there’s no female, there’s only one in Christ.’ (Galatians 3:28-29
KJV) Even if you look at the word ‘Adam,’ it means humanity.
In Genesis, it says ‘we formed them.’ (Gen. 1:27 KJV) Even before she was the
rib, [Eve] was already there. Much of the talk about women not preaching in
the pulpit is not contextual with what that pericopy means. It’s easy to pick out
this part of the Bible and that part of the Bible. But, at the end of the day, have
you loved your God with all your heart and soul and treated your neighbor as
yourself? (Mark 12:30-31 KJV) That includes your sister.”
JJ: All of Jesus’ 12 Apostles were male. If women were supposed to preach, why
weren’t there any female disciples?
Rev. Baugh: “The Apostles were a special breed of people, but He had female
disciples. Mary, his mother, was his first disciple. In fact, when Mary Magdalene
came from the tomb, and the angel said ‘go tell the others that Jesus had risen
from the dead,” (Matthew 28:7) she was the first one to preach the Gospel. And,
where were all those Apostles at the foot of the cross where He was dying? The
women were there, but where were the men?”
JJ: Hiding . . . denying Jesus and hiding in the alleyways. It seems that some
people are really adamant about women not preaching, not being in leadership
positions . . .
Rev. Baugh: “Of course they are. Because anger and fear are where they’re
coming from. And just like this presidential campaign, all the rhetoric . . . the
truth gets lost in all of that. Unfortunately, politicians don’t claim to be pedaling
the truth; we say that we are. So, there’s an issue with people of the cross not
telling the whole story. You have to tell the whole counsel of God, not just the
parts that look pretty for you.”
Thoughts for the Future / Relationships and Politics
JJ: Lots of unmarried women looking for a good man. Advice to them? Should
they look in the church?
Rev. Baugh: “The bible says that you should be . . .”
Both: “equally yoked . . .” (II Corinthians 6:14 KJV)
JJ: What exactly does that mean?
Rev. Baugh: It means you should be like kind. In fact, when the Bible talks about
a man choosing a ‘helpmeet,’ it doesn’t say mate, it says a helpmeet; someone to
help you meet your goals and objectives in life. (Genesis 2:18 KJV) Marriage has
to be something bigger than the two of you. You have to come together to meet
goals and objectives. And yes, you should love your partner and care for them,
but that’s the easy part. We love dogs, cats, our cell phones, and our cars. Love
is the easy part. The hard part is building, over a lifetime, a legacy that means
something more than the two of you apart.
JJ: Thoughts on the upcoming presidential election -
Hillary Clinton in particular?
Rev. Baugh: I believe Hillary, like our President Obama, thinks that if she becomes
the next president of the United States that she is not to going to face the type
of sexism that women face every single day in this country. Obama believed
that the Senate and the Congress were full of educated people, and if he was
willing to compromise and articulate a program that made sense, they would
be on board with that. He found out very quickly that racism trumped all the
compromise. Racism trumped education. Racism trumped all those things. Now,
Trump is bringing out just how racist and sexist this country is, and if Hillary is our
next president she will face sexism. And she will face some of the same blockage
--just because she’s a woman-- that Barack faced just because he’s a Black man.
JJ: So sexism, like racism, is alive and well . . .
Rev. Baugh: At some point we’re going to have to have a conversation about how
we still have not gotten over racism. This country is still very troubled, and there’s
a large segment of the population that truly believes, or are led to believe, that
they are poor and disadvantaged because of minorities, because of immigration,
because of females. The white male cannot take his rightful place in this country
because all these other forces are against them. And they are told this so we can
fight each other instead of fighting the 68 individuals who have half the world’s
wealth. We need to come together to fight our real enemy, which is capitalism.
You’ll always have Trumps out there telling people that everything else is their
problem. He filed bankruptcy, what, 11 times? Now, you don’t pay your (phone
carrier) bill, and you have bad credit. You can’t go out and buy a car. But yet, he
can still go out and get money. Why is that? The game is rigged so the poor will
not make it. And it’s rigged against them.
JJ: What’s your legacy?
Rev. Baugh: I hope that I can help build stronger families, whatever that family
looks like. I don’t care if it’s a single mother or father or whatever the family is. To
help them have stronger relationships with their children, or with other people.
We desperately need one another. And that is my legacy.
“Unfortunately, politicians don’t claim to be
pedaling the truth; we say that we are. So, there’s
an issue with people of the cross not telling the
whole story. You have to tell the whole counsel
of God, not just the parts that look pretty for
you.”
Reverend Baugh
We need to bond as human beings. Somebody out there has to know that someone
cares about them. And that’s the church’s place. I would really like to help another
generation find what I found when I was struggling as a single mother. When I
took my kids to Sunday school, and put my kids in Christian plays . . . I want them
to have those same types of experiences.
JJ: And what is it that you found back then, when you were struggling?
Rev. Baugh: “ . . . Love. I found love.”
Although Reverend Baugh is a woman of God, she is, first, a woman. A woman, who,
admittedly, is not perfect, who understands that we as people fall short of the mark
every day, and who believes that --with the love of God-- we will find our way because
He will make one where this was none.
As a student of life, and a lover of learning, I implore you to take quick trip down the
Skyway to Lackawanna and witness the remarkably talented Reverend Baugh preach in
person. You may find more than what you expect. You could find love.
St. Mark
A.M.E. Zion Church
(716) 826-0600
stmarkamezion108@gmail.com
Reverend Sharon Baugh, Pastor
(716) 472-3532 ~ baugh4lovealone@yahoo.com
Easter Sunday Service 11AM

BWNY Magazine – Women to Watch
Toni Vazquez Chief Financial Officer
Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network
Gre
You Are……..
Everything That You Are Not
You are Real.
You are NOT Invisible.
You are Worthy.
You are NOT Worthless.
Your Success is the Rule.
You are NOT the Exception.
You are a Masterpiece & a Work in Progress. You are NOT Ignorant.
You are Beautifully Fearful and Fearless
You are NOT Angry
You are Prayerful
You are NOT Flawless
Toni Vazquez
If there is such a thing as a Renaissance man, then surely there are Renaissance
women. Count Toni Vazquez, Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare
Network (GBUAHN) Chief Financial Officer, among them. A combination of
family, career and community service, Mrs. Vazquez’s full life makes her a perfect
choice for BWNY Magazine’s 2016 women to watch.
Born and raised in Buffalo, Mrs. Vazquez runs GBUAHN, a Medicaid Health
Home, with her husband, Raul Vazquez, MD. GBUAHN provides managed care
and patient health navigation for Medicaid recipients. She is also co-owner (along
with her husband) of Urban Family Practice on Buffalo’s West Side.
Mrs. Vazquez’s impressive credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree in
psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of
Business Administration degree (MBA) from Medaille College. She is a graduate of
the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. She earned her Lean Six Sigma
certification from Villanova University, and is currently pursuing her Six Sigma
Black Belt.
Mrs. Vazquez credits her self-confidence for her professional and educational
success. She encourages future female leaders to also be their own best advocates.
“I would advise young professional women to be unwavering in acknowledging
their self-worth,” said Mrs. Vazquez. “We are powerful and contributable.”
Toni Vazquez
CFO of GBUAHN, (Greater Buffalo United
Accountable Healthcare Network)
Women’s issues are very important to Mrs. Vazquez. She champions
equitable treatment for women in several areas: “I am a staunch supporter
of equal pay and gender equity,” said Mrs. Vazquez. “I advocate for equal
protection in justice, health, education and employment.”
Philanthropy is another one of Mrs. Vazquez’s passions. She is co-founder of
the Raul and Toni Vazquez Foundation. Through education, the Foundation
seeks to enhance the performance of not-for-profit health care and other
human service organizations catering to disadvantaged populations.
“I will always fight for those that need the lift, but lack the light,” Mrs.
Vazquez said. “Their stories may appear to be dim; they may be unable
to realize that the path in front of them is there to empower them.”
In addition to heading the Raul and Toni Vazquez Foundation, Mrs. Vazquez
is a member of the Williamsville Central School Board and a lifetime member
of the National Black MBA Association. She is also a member of the Higher
Heights’ Founders Circle. Higher Heights works to build, expand and sustain a
national political infrastructure to strengthen black women’s political power and
leadership capacity. Mrs. Vazquez serves on the Buffalo Zoo Board of Directors,
Visit Buffalo Niagara Board of Directors, and the Buffalo/Niagara Convention
Center Board of Directors.

BWNY Magazine – Women to Watch
Toni Vazquez Chief
Financial Officer
Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network
Above all else, family is what Mrs.
Vazquez holds most dear. In 2015, Dr.
and Mrs. Vazquez were acknowledged
for their dedication to family, receiving
the Buffalo Urban League’s Family Life
Award. The couple has three children:4
children though Raul III, 25, Nadia 20,
Nina 19 and Saul 9.
Mrs. Vazquez’s support of strong family
values stretches beyond her own family.
Her philosophy on moral and ethical
principles for raising children extends to
the entire community.
“I am very concerned about single mothers, and particularly,
women raising ‘boys to men’” said Mrs. Vazquez. “I respect and
encourage all people to sustain healthy parental relationships.
But if that relationship fails, I encourage women to gain
strength in extended family and friends to deposit goodness,
grace, faith, morals, and knowledge into all of our children.”
While Mrs. Vazquez is such an inspiration to other women, who
inspires her?
“My mom continues to inspire me even though she has passed
away,” said Mrs. Vazquez. “She was a bit of a worrier, because she
was concerned about her children and their success in life, love
and faith. She helped to mold me into the warrior that I am today.”

MARSHA MCWILSON
Entertainer
When you talk about Women to
Watch, Marsha McWilson is one
that can literally be watched on OWN,
Oprah Winfrey’s Television Network. Mc-
Wilson a Niagara Falls native, singer, songwriter
and now actor, appearing on Tyler
Perry’s “If Loving You Is Wrong,” describes
the opportunity as a “work of God.” In
short, it happened last year during the Tom
Joyner Fantastic Voyage, where for the past
several years she performed on the cruise
with gospel legend Bobby Jones. However,
this time Tyler Perry was hosting live
auditions,and while McWilson was planning
to sing during the audition things
ended up going in another direction. “I
did not expect to be acting at all, because
that wasn’t my niche, said McWilson. So,
they gave me a monologue and I learned
it, and I was chosen.”
So what made Tyler Perry choose Mrs.
Mcwilson over three thousand others auditioning
that day? Well, Eva Nicklas, artistic
director for the Lewiston Council of
the Arts describes McWilson saying, “She’s
humble and grateful and a beautiful person
inside and out. She’s just an amazing
woman and an amazing performer. She’s
on her way up and if she doesn’t become
a mega star, I’d be surprised. She just has
that star quality.” One thing that holds true,
is that amazing people don’t just happen,
there’s always a story behind it, here’s the
short version. Marsha started early, learning
music from a number of people, her
older brother, Roger Walker Jr.; Youth Choir
Director, Kathy Jordan, who later became
the wife to the Rev Al Sharpton; Bruce
Parker, the pianist at St John’s AME church;
Constance Matthews, one of gospel’s great
singers; along with her Niagara Falls High
School music teacher, Marva Frails, who
taught her chorale, chorus, and how to
read music. These experiences led to
McWilson being inducted into the
“Who’s Who in Music of America”
while just in high school.
Marsha McWilson
McWilson continued reaching higher, putting
herself in the right place, at the right
time, and with the right people; a trait Mc-
Wilson seems to have in spades. She became
engulfed in the recording industry,
recording at the Niagara Falls Convention
Center with the St John’s AME Choir, with
Ella Robinson (a musical genius in her own
right) and the New Beginnings Choir, National
recording artist Jerome L Ferrell and
the Lighthouse Choir, and to cap it all off
she began performing on the legendary
Bobby Jones Gospel Show. Which as she
continued her tenure with Bobby Jones led
to the amazing opportunity with Tyler Perry.
Since then things have continued to blossom
for her. She’s releasing a new album
entitled, “Blue Sky Blues” in August. The
songs on her album directly reflect some
of the struggles and events in her life. The
youngest of 12 siblings, McWilson lost her
father, her mother, and four of her brothers
all within a five-year span. Her struggle
through their deaths is reflected in her song
entitled, “Missing You.” “Can you imagine
what that feels like?” she asked. “The
song is basically, how I got through their
deaths.” Another song , “Tisket a Tasket,”
is about how she overcame her challenge
of conceiving children. She said
her doctor told her that she couldn’t
have children. “Not only did I have
one, but I had two. And they sing like
angels,” said McWilson, who said her
sons have been following in her footsteps by
taking on singing. “I’m making a way for my
sons to follow on the trail that I’m blazing. I
can’t stop now, because if I stop I’m going to
shut down that trail.” And what a trail she is
blazing! In addition to her upcoming album
release, appearing in Tyler Perry’s TV show,
”If Loving You Is Wrong,” McWilson is also
playing Lullabye, a singing spy, in a movie
called, “First Impressions,” that hasn’t aired
yet. Tamela and David Mann, Lamon Rutger
and Elise Odell star in the film.
So, how has she managed to do it all? “God
allows me to do this,” she said. “You’ve got
to have passion and you’ve got to love it.”
The Niagara Falls resident has worked hard
for decades to hit the big time and many
on the local arts scene feel she is on her
way; and at BWNY we say she is definitely
a Woman to Watch.
photo by Xavier’s

Crystal Rodriguez
Diversity
her
becomes
Ms. Crystal Rodríguez is, and has been, the
wind beneath the wings of Buffalo for the
past eight years. When Ms. Rodríguez first
joined City Hall, she served as Mayor Byron
Brown’s Executive Assistant before leaving
to complete a fellowship with the New York
State Office of Court Administration. When
she returned to City Hall, she served as the
Executive Director for the Commission on
Citizens’ Rights and Community Relations,
the human rights arm of the City. In her 8
years in that position, Ms. Rodríguez’s office
has helped citizens in the city of Buffalo that
felt they had been discriminated against to
find services and agencies to assist with their
cases. In February 2016, Ms. Rodríguez
was appointed as the City of Buffalo’s first
Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). This role was
established as part of the Mayor’s Opportunity
agenda for the City. In this position, Ms.
Rodríguez will be educating and providing
companies within the city of Buffalo to have
a better understanding on how they may be
able to achieve their diversity goals as far
as the hiring and training of minorities with
the purpose of expanding on the concept of
economic diversity and inclusion for all
in Buffalo’s economic growth.
When asked how the concept of diversity
and inclusion could be passed on to
new generations, starting with our own
children, Ms. Rodríguez responded,
“I can tell you that with me, coming
from a multicultural background,
I want my children to have pride in
themselves, know who they are and
know their culture. But, I don’t want
them to think that it is at the detriment
of another culture. The value is in our
differences; be proud of who you are,
accept someone being proud of who
they are, and then hopefully, eventually,
while you are demonstrating the pride
of your culture and who [you] are, you
are not putting down another culture.
We must be the example. I also think
that knowing the history is important. I
try to teach my children from the aspect
of appreciation, not an aspect of hatred;
an aspect showing, at one point, that
we were not able to vote; at one point,
we weren’t able to work and be paid
Rodríguez job is
more than to promote
diversity, as diversity is
defined by numbers,
but to promote
inclusion.
Crystal J. Rodriguez
Commission on Citizens Rights
by Mariana Cole-Rivera
for it, we weren’t able to choose the jobs we
wanted, we weren’t able to choose were we
wanted to live or who we wanted to love.
I want them to understand that those that
went before us sacrificed and we all have
to work hard; nobody is going to give you
anything.”
When you see Ms. Rodríguez, she has really
made it look easy, but as a single mother, she
has made many sacrifices to achieve success
and to be where she is today. Ms. Rodríguez,
as a mother of three, acknowledges that
family was a great support, but it was not
easy. Those that know Ms. Rodríguez know
that she has overcome great obstacles in
her life and how much she has been able
to relate to citizens of the Queen City. Ms.
Rodríguez, like many of the citizens that
she now serves, had to overcome poverty,
hunger and hardships. Her struggle only
made her more determined and she gained
strength that propelled her to earn two law
degrees even after deciding to leave high
school and earning a GED.
Ms. Rodríguez’s new appointment as Chief
Diversity Officer is glove-fit for someone that
grew up in the East side of Buffalo and has an
understanding of the rigid, yet invisible racial
lines in the city. As CDO, Ms. Rodríguez’s
job is more than to promote diversity, as
diversity is defined by numbers, but also to
promote inclusion. Ms. Rodríguez’s personal
and professional belief that inclusion is
vital for the continuance of growth in the
city of Buffalo is what makes her a more
than suitable individual for this position.
Companies conducting business in the city of
Buffalo should look to Ms. Rodríguez as an
ally that will empower them to achieve their
goals with diversity, inclusion and educating
minorities appropriately in order to maintain
the equilibrium of equality.
Ms. Rodríguez’s pride and love for the Queen
City are not only seen by her actions in the
past eight years, but also by the way she
photo by Xavier’s

advice column
My Coaching Philosophy
Miko Noel
As long as I could remember I’ve had a passionate
care for people. At a very young age I found interest
in noticing ambivalence in others. Being concerned with
whatever emotion I felt they were showing according
to their behavior. Lending advice, a smile, a hand, and
most times a listening ear.
My belief in coaching and passion for helping others
is indicative to one of my favorite quotes, “helping
others is the way we help ourselves”. (Oprah Winfrey).
In helping others I learn and grow; therefore, as they
grow I am rewarded. My 10 years of experience has
been very fruitful in mind, body, and spirit. I believe
within every person is the innate ability to be the best
they can be and they possess the tools to obtain it as
long as they have the will to do so. What I help people
do is align the tools according to the needs of the job.
The most important tool I have as a coach is to intently
listen to my clients and process what is said allowing
the client to bring about clarity to what is needed for
progress. Communicating openly and honestly builds
the rapport needed between a coach and client which
allows for an agreed upon process.
The support I give my clients is a formulated process
according to their level of development, while questioning
their needs and wants to produce answers that affect
and push forward the growth. Having patience and
allowing time between the questioning and responding
helps clients come to their own conclusions. In the
coaching process “dead-silence” is clear thinking and
I strive to promote that to my clients.
My goal is to clarify actions and choices towards my
client’s success. Clients are free to implement change,
decide on the path they will take, and how much
commitment they will give. Every one of us can choose
what’s best for our own personal development. We
We all have
unique
experiences
that lead
to the life
we’re living.
all have unique experiences that lead to the life
we’re living. Our perception of those experiences
determines how well we live it.
I value well formulating honed questions that are
based on the client’s comments, metaphors, tone of
voice, body language, and beliefs. Understanding
my client’s goals and getting to know my client
with thought out open-ended questions leads to
a strong relationship.
However, in the advice column of BWNY I leave the
questioning to the readers. Answering questions on
the topic of relational and personal development.
I will offer you anecdotes—some harrowing, some
charming from my own life, but seldom will I tell
you what to do. If need be I will refer and/or offer
my services and the service of others that can help
in a more extensive manner.
Making a difference in people’s lives
is not a job for me it is a passion.
Miko Noel : Miko@Blackwny.com
Subject : Adive
Miko Noel
Crystal Rodriguez
Diversity
her
becomes
by Mariana Cole-Rivera
speaks about the city she clearly loves. While many are
fleeing the city with hopes of finding new ground somewhere
else, Ms. Rodríguez has and continues to stand on Buffalo
ground changing it from within for all of us.
As citizens and humans, we should all take an example of
this point of view and work and collaborate in the growth
of this wonderful city we all live in. Let us look forward and
not back; let us see us grow in pride for what we have and
accomplished. Companies should feel at ease knowing that
someone with the views of Ms. Rodríguez will be in their
corner to help them and help the minorities in the city of
Buffalo achieve an economic empowerment that is deserved
by all.
Ms. Rodríguez is a woman to watch! The BWNY Magazine
can see that her persistence, passion and service are all vital
elements to the continuous growth of our city; our beloved
Mayor Byron Brown and the residents of Buffalo are lucky
to have Ms. Rodríguez on our team.
Ms. Rodríguez
photo by Xavier’s

My Name is Pridgen
City Court Judge Hon. JaHarr S. Pridgen is no stranger to hard work and dedication. As the
daughter-in-law of Buffalo Common Council President, Bishop Darius G. Pridgen, and wife
of Pastor Craig D. Pridgen, Judge Pridgen brings a unique aspect of youth to the court system in
Buffalo, and has promised to bring her experiences with her to the stand.
At age 35, Judge Pridgen is currently the youngest jurist on the Buffalo City Court bench. Mayor
Byron W. Brown appointed Judge Pridgen on January 2, 2015. In doing so, Mayor Brown cited
Pridgen’s “impeccable credentials, strong ethics and her passion for the city.” He added that he
was confident that her sound judicial temperament would make her a “kind and compassionate
presence on the bench.”
Prior to her appointment to the City Court bench, Pridgen worked for the Erie County District
Attorney’s Felony Trial Bureau prosecuting cases. “The one thing that I miss from being in the DA’s
office is trying cases; there’s nothing like being a prosecutor,” Pridgen said about her experience in
the DA’s office where she worked for over six years. However, since leaving the DA’s office, Pridgen
noted that she loves her career as a judge, “The biggest thing that I love about being a judge is that
I have discretion,” she said in regards to her position. I am not necessarily tied down to any plea.”
Judge Pridgen earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the State University of New
York at Buffalo and earned her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing,
JaHarr S. Pridgen
Buffalo City Court Judge
by Lindsay Frazier
Michigan. She was later admitted to the New York State Bar in 2007.
Pridgen has been an attorney for over seven years now, “Being a City Court judge is great for me
because when I started my legal career, the first place that I practiced law was in City Court . . .
everything coming full circle, it’s amazing and definitely a blessing,” Pridgen told us.
However, Ms. Pridgen is no stranger to adversity, noting that the first time she took the New York
State BAR exam, she failed by 12 points, “For me it’s still a part of my story because everything
doesn’t come easy,” she said. The second time she passed the exam, while working 40 hours for
former University District Councilwoman, Bonnie Russell.
Pridgen notes that God, her family, and effort got her to where she is today, “My parents taught
me hard work,” she said. As a youth, she demonstrated academic success through completing
curriculums at Holy Angels Academy, “Buffalo Prep,” and Buffalo Public School #68. “Six years
ago I was Jaharr Pennington. I was just this girl from the East side who had a dream . . . I went
to a public school,” Pridgen expressed, “Thankfully, because of Buffalo Prep, [without] the
opportunities that opened up for me, I wouldn’t be sitting here today,” she said.
Pridgen also notes that being turned down for jobs earlier in life also served as motivation to
keep striving to get ahead, “I think the rejection actually helped me . . . you never give up, you
face obstacles all the time . . . it’s all a part of the process,” she said.
Her progression to the position of City Court judge has coincided with many great accomplishments.
Currently, she is a member of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, Bar Association
of Erie County, the Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of
New York, the New York State Bar Association, the National Association of Women Judges, and
the New York State Association of City Court Judges. Her most valued accomplishments are her
relationships, as the wife of Elder Craig D. Pridgen, Pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church of Niagara
Falls, and the proud mother of their daughter, Jordin, with another child on the way
With all the hats JaHarr Pridgen wears as a mother, wife, Judge and First Lady, to keep balance
in her life she says, “You have to keep God first…it’s about the relationship you have with God.”
Having a supporting family is another thing that helps her. While she understands that nothing
comes easy without perseverance, she also knows that no dream is impossible when there is
dedication.
“I think that if you work hard, if you’re dedicated and if you stay focused, it doesn’t matter what
people say, doesn’t matter if people try to distract you, doesn’t matter if people aren’t supportive,
I think you can still do it.”

JoAnna Wingo
Mrs. JoAnna Wingo defines success as the achievement of goals and the end result of those goals
bringing you happiness. She feels true success comes from finding happiness and joy with one’s self
and what’s going on around them. Her happiness she explains is non-existent if it does not align with
God’s will. If you have ever had the privilege of being in the same room with JoAnna, you know she
has a vibrant personality and a smile that is truly genuine. Always leading the charge on issues such as
education, women empowerment, economics, and most important to her - bringing the black family
and community together. She is truly a passionate and powerful woman to both watch and emulate.
women have
mostly been carrying
the burden of
taking care of the
family and
community.
JoAnna Wingo
JoAnna Wingo is an educator for Buffalo Public Schools with nine years experience and is also
the Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo. She is also a mother of five with four daughters
and a son. Explaining that she and her husband were soul mates from the very first glance, Joanna
feels it is her personal responsibility to contribute towards urban youth receiving a quality education
that allows them to compete internationally. She feels she did not have access to mentors
or a support network to help prepare her for higher education. She remembers spending time
taking prep classes at Niagara University and having to work even harder at Canisius College.
As a junior in college, she began working with Boys & Girls Clubs. She loved being there for the
children and providing the guidance that is truly life changing for many youth here in Buffalo.
JoAnna feels that Black women have mostly been carrying the burden of taking care of the family and community.
And that often they put themselves on the back burner. She encourages women to take time out for
themselves to relax and rejuvenate. She believes Black women are intelligent and talented, yet not enough
people are watering the plant. JoAnna personally makes time for prayer, working out, foot massages, shopping,
and getting her nails done. She would love for Black men to rally more for African American women.
She believes that building strong families results in strong communities both spiritually and economically.
While what is taught in school is great, JoAnna goes beyond the common core. As the Director of
the Boys & Girls Club, she is not sitting idly by in an office. Rather, she is teaching our youth about
finances and job opportunities. Challenging young males to think beyond professional sports and seek
employment in fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and business. She discusses money management
with young ladies and the importance of respect, both how to command it and also give it. She
is always giving her daughters a role mode they can be proud of. There are a lot of changes
happening within Buffalo and, similar to the California Gold Rush, she feels people in our
community should seize this opportunity. She understands wholeheartedly that the
youth are our future. She is truly a woman to watch! In putting God first, her
family second, and community third, there is nothing that will hold her back!
photo by Xavier’s

Davitta Alexander
Life, Love and the Law
We often hear about lawyers getting a bad reputation. The profession as a whole is often given
grievances for being unethical. Ironically enough, it is one of the few professions that is policed
by ethical rules and failure to follow said rules of professional conduct can lead to a lawyer losing the
right to practice or more commonly know as being disbarred. Do not pass GO and do not collect $200!
Divitta Alexander disagrees with this notion of the profession, stating that being a lawyer
is a service job. You are helping those with a problem they can’t handle themselves.
As a young girl growing up she always wanted to become a lawyer and it is rare a person
can live out their childhood dreams. Her story is powerful and filled with motivation
for us to pull from. Why is Divitta Alexander a woman to watch? See for yourself!
A City Honors graduate, she went on to the University of Michigan. It was here Divitta was
inspired by her math professor to pursue a degree in applied mathematics. This would allow
her to teach classes at Buffalo State College such as Algebra and Geometry. She had decided
the next move for her would be to get her Masters in Business Administration (MBA). But
after taking the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), she decided an MBA would
not be the best choice. It was at this time, during the mid-90’s, that companies such as Enron
were going through turmoil. As a result, she found graduates with an MBA had hard times getting
jobs. Divitta then took some time off and got a job working as a secretary in a law firm. It
was while working here she decided to chase her dream of becoming a lawyer and applied to
law school. Our very own SUNY Buffalo Law School made the great choice in accepting her!
Anyone who has attempted to pursue a degree in law understands the time and hard work
required to finish. However, imagine having a six-month year when you began law school?
Still not tough enough for you? Okay what if you had a second child during law school?
Now, I have your attention. But let me also add to the equation that you do not take any time
off from school. So now, you are a mother, full-time law student, and nothing is free in life so
Davitta Alexander
Counselor
by Chris Killings
you also work a full time job. It would have been easy to make any number of excuses.
Divitta Alexander made none and completed her law degree at U.B. She remembers
she took two months off of work and gave studying for the New York state Bar exam
her full attention. She passed the first time stating, “I had to pass the first time because
I could not afford to spend more time studying for it. My children depended on me.”
And she did not let them down, as she steps up to the plate time and time again.
As a lawyer, she works with a focus on transactional law as it relates to commercial
real estate and affordable housing. She is the dealmaker on your team making
phone calls, reviewing documents and drawing up contracts. Ultimately, bringing
two parties together so that a vacant lot can begin development or two companies
can agree on terms of development. With the ongoing development in the
city, Divitta is keeping busy. While working in this area of law, Divitta has learned
a lot from her various mentors and has developed great technical skills . She has recently
started her own law firm! I know what you’re thinking. She went from taking
calls as a secretary to having to put you on hold because businesses are calling her.
Divitta Alexander, Esq.
Divitta Alexander PLLC
50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400-122
Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone: (716) 725-3123
photo by Xavier’s

You never stop
learning and
encourages us
all to keep our
scope as broad
as possible!
Davitta Alexander
Life, Love and the Law
by Chris Killings
Divitta is clearly not a stranger to hard work. She explains that having her own
practice allows her to have more flexibility with her time. “Finding clients is all
about relationship building,” she says. Divitta also uses resources such as Minority
Business Enterprise (MBE), Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), and Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE).These organizations provide funding, specifically, at the
state and federal levels. She is able to schedule business appointments around
her lifestyle. If her son has a basketball game, she can schedule her appointment
after. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Two of her favorite
movies are, “Pretty Woman” and Tyler Perry’s “Good Deeds.” Divitta recalls her
grandmother being a huge influence and providing a good foundation of going to
church and the importance of faith in one’s life that is invaluable to her now. She
says she is open to the possibility of teaching practical law as a professor one day
down the road.
B U F F A L O P H I L H A R M O N I C O R C H E S T R A
J o A n n F A l l e t t A M u s i c D i r e c t o r
Celebrating Sammy:
Broadway to Vegas
Sat. APR. 30, 8Pm
Buffalo native Eric Jordan Young is inspired by Sammy Davis,
Jr. and a love of the Rat Pack. From Broadway and TV to his
national tours and a Las Vegas show, don’t miss this
high-energy evening
of song and dance.
POPS
Gershwin’S Porgy & Bess
H O L S T ’ S
THE PLANETS
Peter and the Wolf
Sun. Apr. 17, 2:30Pm
Stefan Sanders, conductor
Meet the instruments of the orchestra
as they represent each character in
this famous musical tale of Peter and
his adventures. Visit the Instrument
Zoo pre-concert!
Star-Spangled Pops
CLASSICS
Fri. May 13, 10:30am | Sat. May 14, 8Pm
Carl St. Clair conducts soprano Angela Brown
and bass Kevin Deas in selections from
what has been called America’s first great
opera including Summertime, I Got Plenty
O’Nuttin, and Bess, You Is My Woman Now.
Fri. Apr. 29, 7Pm
Beautiful visuals from Chicago’s Adler
Planetarium and KV265 complement Holst’s
dazzling music in this multi-media evening
conducted by Stefan Sanders. Stay for
the after-party and meet the musicians.
M02050
CALL (716)885-5000 | bpo.org
Fri. May 27, 10:30am
Sat. May 28, 8Pm
Stefan Sanders and the BPO are
joined by the Buffalo Philharmonic
Chorus in this annual tribute
to the American spirit.
POPS

I AM HERE
Meet Erin M. Moss, Buffalo’s New Mental Health Therapist
A
r
f
“This is a passion for me,” says Erin M.
Moss, Buffalo’s new, New York State licensed
mental health counselor. She proudly opened
her practice Erin M. Moss Mental Health
Counseling Private Practice this year surrounded
by those who love her; family, friends and
supporters. She is a woman on the move and a
recent Business First 40 Under 40 professional
award confirmed it: she is someone to watch
and on the rise. Moss opened the doors to
her beautifully decorated office on January
1 st . “I wanted to be a counselor since my
early twenties—It’s time for me—I want to be
able to reach people...it’s all about timing.”
Her demeanor is relaxed as she listens and
speaks: “While in college I realized that I was
a natural helper—like my mother, and that the
mental health field was perfect for me,” said
Moss, who holds a master’s degree in mental
health counseling from Medaille College and a
degree in Social Science and African American
studies from the University at Buffalo. “I want
to help people, give quality care and help the
community,” she said. According to mental
health researchers: An estimated 43.7 million
adult Americans (18.5%) experienced a mental
health condition going into 2016. Nationally,
57% of adults with mental illness receive no
treatment.
Erin M. Moss
“Sometimes we have a culture of hiding,
sometimes people need to cry and express
emotions in front of someone…and that’s ok.”
Moss says there is a stigma about counseling
that she is trying to break. “It helps when
people can be vulnerable in a safe place and
know you’re not going anywhere; it allows me
to build a therapeutic alliance between myself
and my clients.” Moss says she wants to make
an impact in her community and we can see
she is someone whose steps have been
ordered. She is indeed a spiritual
professional who has found
her purpose and is walking
in her authority. As a
member of the Board of
Directors of Crisis Services,
Erin Moss has prepared
herself for this challenging
field. “I am a licensed mental
health counselor. I have worked
intensely with children and
adults for over 10 years. I conduct
individual, family and group therapy
sessions. Throughout my career I have
provided therapy for children and
adult victims of abuse, young adults in
the college setting, teens and adults in
the criminal justice system, individuals
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
by Sandy White
s
S
and families in intensive, in-home therapy.”
Moss was pensive and direct when asked if this
was her purpose in life. “Spiritually, I know God
has called me to do this work. God has really
touched my heart . . . I am so grateful. She
works with people of all faiths and from around
the world. “As a therapist, I try to put myself
in the shoes of my clients and I tailor treatment
to that person.” Erin provides individual, family
and group therapy in her practice located in
Downtown Buffalo.
“I’m here.”
Her office reflects her calm and peaceful spirit; it
is carefully designed with candles, art and warm
colors . . . all with her clients in mind. “I am all
about positive energy. People have said walking
into my space, ‘it feels cozy and warm.’” We
talked about preconceived notions on the value
of therapy and she says people are surprised to
find it is not what they expected.
“I have found after their first session, a client
may say this is not so bad! Before we meet they
might have something in their head, that
they will be diagnosed and have probes
in their head!” She smiles. “That’s not the
case; what my clients find is just a person
[me] who is there to offer them support;
just a conversation.”
Moss says, “Counseling is nothing to be
ashamed of, everyone needs help at some
point in life. If there are people who need
tailored medication in order to function—
In those cases, I refer them to a psychiatrist
or their primary care physician so that our
therapy and treatment can continue.”
Her treatment approach is cognitive
behavioral and person-centered. She
specializes in help with: self-esteem &
confidence building, depression, anxiety,
abandonment issues, domestic violence,
trauma, abuse, family conflict, at-risk
youth, multicultural concerns, career
mentoring and women’s issues.
“In my practice, I see hurting women
“It’s not how life treats
you, it’s how YOU deal
with life.
Erin M. Moss

We are determined
to prevent as many
youth as possible
from failing.
www.hopeprograminc.org
1-888-702-5556.

I AM HERE
Meet Erin M. Moss, Buffalo’s New Mental Health Therapist
that have been in abusive relationships and after
we have talked, they have made better choices
for themselves and their family.” She gives her
clients homework to do and says she works just
as hard as her clients to accomplish set goals. We
talked about depression and how it affects young
people. According to the National Institute of
Mental Health, major depression is a common
mental disorder affecting a growing number of
adolescents in the United States. In addition, in
2014, an estimated 2.8 million adolescents aged
12 to 17 in the United States had at least one
major depressive episode in the past year. This
number represented 11.4% of the U.S. population
aged 12 to 17.
Moss has worked in the school system in the past
and today is seeing youth with much success.
“I have worked with at-risk youth. I have been
helping them think about things differently. I
am proud to say, some of them have gone onto
college--out of the juvenile justice system--and
are doing better in school and with their family,”
she said.
eldest of five children, and the only girl, Erin M.
Moss smiles as she reflects on the good she is
doing, and she says many people reach her online
or by phone. “I do phone consultations to start---
but I like them to come in.” She encourages clients
to smile along the way. “Humor is important and
smiling... it feeds the soul. Sometimes we are down
so long and we can’t smile and laugh.” She points
out in a reflective tone and states, “It’s not how
life treats you, it’s how YOU deal with life. It’s a
process… it takes time and everyone is different.”
More information contact Erin M. Moss
at: 716-507-1124
Email: erinmmossprivatepractice@gmail.com
A Hope You
Can Count On
Will: So you have history here, you
said your grandmother helped have this
building built, so you’re following in your
grandmother’s footsteps?
Hope: Even though I tried to run away
from my legacy by becoming a mortician?
Yes (Laughter). I am following in my great
grandmother, grandmother and mother’s
footsteps. God brought me right back to the
very building I was groomed in as a child.
Will: Tell me about your grandmother.
Hope: Her name was Mozella Richardson,
aka “Moe.” In 1969, she served on many
committees that made the decision to have
the Sherman L. Walker center built.
Will: How long has she worked in this
building?
Hope: My grandmother was a communityaide
volunteer here for the Community
Action Organization (CAO) of Erie County
for the “Buds of Opportunity Program.”
Here in this building, she was employed for
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Moss knows how important it is to reach out to
youth; she remembers how school and college
programs helped guide her path as a teenager. As
a high school student at the School for the Visual
and Performing Arts, Erin excelled in singing
and musicals. Performing led her to pageantry
competitions and a new stage: filled with
success, trophies, sashes and crowns. Locally
and nationally throughout her college years, she
placed in countless pageant competitions: Miss
Greater Niagara, Miss Buffalo and Miss Western
New York pageants--- while winning Miss Black
and Gold, Miss Elkdon of New York and placing
2 nd as Miss Elkdon of the World. She learned so
much, she says, from pageant competitions, and
today she is helping others find their way. Moss
offers her clients more than therapy, she offers
them hope and encourages them to engage and
live each day. “A lot of people are experiencing
trauma. You have to put the hope back in their
lives and you have to get them to see that there
is meaning in their life,” said Moss. She is the
“The client has the power to decide how long they
want to be there. This is their show, they are the most
important player!”
Email: Will@Blackwny.com
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U r b a n F r u i t s & V e g g i e s
Do The Healthy Thing
Buffalo
llison DeHonney is a former accountant executive
with TransUnion who, after talking with members of the
community and doing her research, found that there was
a dire need for fresh fruits and vegetables in Buffalo’s
urban communities. Buffalo’s low birth rates, premature
birth rates, obesity problems, high cholesterol issues,
high diabetes rates, and cardiovascular problems were
not things Allison was willing to accept. She took
action and launched her privately owned company,
“Buffalo Urban Fruits and Veggies,” and has been
opening our community’s awareness to healthier
eating choices and an overall healthier lifestyle.
Buffalo Urban Fruits and Veggies provides a mobile
produce market, urban gardens, corporate wellness
programs, and also works with insurance carriers
to provide farmers’ markets to economically
disadvantaged areas. Allison’s company also sells
produce to stores and restaurants. Additionally, Urban
Fruits and Veggies has, at the request of Blue Cross Blue
Shield, began bringing in fresh fruits and vegetables
for their employees.
Despite her company’s success, Allison is still looking
to push for growth and is determined to put Buffalo on
a healthy path. To achieve this goal she has brought on
a full time nutritionist and has teamed up with Harmac
Medical Products located on Bailey and Genesee and
the University of Buffalo’s Architect Team. Together they
will launch the Bailey Green Project. This project will
consist of building six green houses along with more
community gardens, a fruit orchard, and a healthy
cafe with two apartments on top. The project has been
entered into the 53rd annual International Making
Cities More Livable Design Competition in Rome,
Italy June 13-17. Her company will also work with the
City’s Office of Strategic Planning to expand on her
current three lots she has on Dupont and Glenwood.
She will be adding 9 more lots that will be available
for fresh fruits and vegetables. Allison believes the
best way to break unhealthy eating habits is through
education. “It is difficult to go from fast food to kale
salads.” To close this gap, she also offers raised beds
or untreated wooden boxes that are filled with soil and
seeds where she shows community members how to
grow particular fruit and vegetables and what’s needed
to maintain them. Raised bed stems are used because
much of the city ground not suitable be used for
growing; these beds are an effective growing alternative.
Just when you thought this powerful woman to watch
was done with her mission to transform the eating
culture in Buffalo, she proves again she isn’t done
yet. Allison wants to bring the Fruits and Vegetables
Prescription Program to Buffalo. Patients would go to
their physician and if he or she didn’t have a nutritionist
on staff Allison would provide one. You would be
diagnosed based on your health findings and be
provided with a specific prescription for the fruit and
vegetables your body needs. This prescription can then
be brought to any of the Urban Fruits and Vegetables
mobile stations. This ingenious planning is why Allison
DeHonney is truly a woman to watch. Her innovation
and passion for a healthier Buffalo is motivating. She’s
not all about the bottom line, either. Her company
provides fruit and vegetables to organizations such as
Friends of the Night and other shelters that desperately
need the food. She strongly believes that when you
put the work in, the money will follow. Allison is a
mother, daughter, wife, and entrepreneur who believes
it is up to all of us to break the pattern of unhealthy
eating habits and provide better food options to
the next generation of Buffalonians.
Allison DeHonney
Urban Food
by Chris Killings
Allison DeHonney
photo by Xavier’s

Beauty is What Makes You Different
Alopecia is a hair loss condition,
which usually affects the scalp.
However, Brittany McCoy did not let
this affect her future. Having been
experiencing hair loss since she was
6 years old, Brittany understands the
trials women face.
Brittany recalls wearing hats in
elementary school to cover her hair
loss. Her mother and family were
always supportive of her: from taking
the extra time to style her hair to going
out shopping and being engaged with
family events. Miss McCoy’s fight
with alopecia would take on a new
meaning after doctors told her she
was expected to be bald by 18 when
she was just 12 years old. We can all
agree that being an adolescent is hard
enough for a girl but to be told you
will have to experience it without hair
can be devastating. Unfortunately, for
alopecia, Brittany had other plans. She
was able to pull herself out of the quick
sand-like trappings of depression and
negativity. She remembers telling herself,
“I can’t keep crying.” One summer,
while visiting with her grandmother,
she asked her mother to bring over a
few dolls from her collection. Brittany
began to style their hair and coordinate
outfits. Brittany’s mother realized she
had talent and could possible pursue a
career in cosmetology. Brittany did her
own hair throughout highschool and
was so talented at blending hairstyles
that her friends had no idea she had
alopecia unless she told them. Brittany
went on to study Art at University at
Buffalo, and used hair as her canvas.
Brittany is able to use hair to make
clothes, hats, and other fashion
accessories. When asked why is it that
women, especially African American
women, place so much of their value and
self worth into their hair, she believes
it is due to the fact that hair makes
women feel beautiful. In addition, men
are traditionally attracted to women
with longer hair and the media socially
promotes this attraction in magazines,
movies, and commercials all displaying
women with long hair. Celebrities such
as Beyonce are shown with their hair
blowing in the wind during music
videos and this conditioning all plays
a role in the obsession of hair and
its association with self-esteem for
women. Brittany currently competes
and has been victorious in many hair
show competitions, and also has her
own business that services women
dealing with hair loss. Providing oneon-one
appointments allows her clients
to feel more comfortable than going
to a hair salon during a busy Saturday
afternoon. Who better to style your
hair and understand what you are
experiencing than Brittany McCoy?
No one! At 29, Brittany has cut her
hair lower this past July and says she
feels amazing about it. She feels she
is no longer hiding behind the hats
”This is who
I am”
she wore in elementary school, or
the different hairstyles in high school
to cover patches. “This is who I am.”
She remembers growing up that there
weren’t many women of color with
shorter hair who she could relate to.
She wants to be that example for this
generation. While having long hair is
great, it is not the be-all, end-all to
defining beauty. Brittany McCoy is
definitely a woman on the move and
somebody we all need to watch out
for! She was able to transcend hair
loss into financial gain and spiritual
growth. To contact Brittany about to
schedule a hair appointment or to find
information on her upcoming hair
shows, look up her brand name on
Facebook, “Brittany La Bella.”

Michelle Barron
Putting The SpotLight On Women
This National Women’s Month, BWNY spoke with Michelle Barron of Buffalo, New York,
founder and director of Women in the Spotlight Goinglobal (WITSGG) and Dress For Success.
Proudly born and raised in Buffalo, in a family of seven: three brothers, one sister, her mother
and father. Ms. Barron states, “there are no plans to leave home, I love this city and where it is
going,” however; WITSGG has chapters in Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina with
members within the network as far as Canada. She shares her home and heart with two female
Jack Russell’s, she deems them crazy.
In 2009, Michelle had the idea of establishing a grassroots organization of women helping
women and establishing camaraderie among women entrepreneurs. Sharing her vision with
eight women who were and still are major contributors to the success of then, “Women
in the Spotlight,” (WITS) Michelle decided to go global and created WITSGG. An
organization she says, “they may not all be entrepreneurs, but are career-driven
women,” these women she calls, “unsung leaders.” WITSGG hopes that every
woman that joins in membership shares information and supports each other.
Finding herself unemployed in 2009, Michelle said, was an experience she
would never forget; not for the grief of unemployment, but because of the
push it gave her to grow and stay driven. “You have to face adversity and
be able to pull yourself up by your boot straps,” she says as she gives out
a sigh of relief. Michelle admits support is how WITSGG got its strong
foundation and gives credit to the women that have supported her and
the organization over the years. Exclaiming she chose the eight women
Michelle Barron
director of Women in the Spotlight
by: Miko Nole
for their strengths and skills that they have created and built on in
some way. Its membership is based on who may benefit or be a
benefit to the mission of the organization; which is to ‘spotlight,’
empower, educate, and inspire women to be the architects of
change. “There is power in women having access to information,”
she said, and that information is free and readily available on
WITSGG’s Facebook; however, by invitation only.
When asked why she advocates for women she said, “I believe
there is always room for women to advocate, support, empower,
and be a confidant to each other and I want to promote that.”
The membership into WITSGG is private enough to warrant
interest and investment but not so private to presume exclusion
or ineligibility.
In April 2016, Michelle Barron will receive the Mary B. Talbert
Award who, according to her, “is an example of what it means
to empower other women and create a sisterhood.” Once invited
into the WITSGG organization, women are privy to a wealth of
information and encouraged to market themselves and keep an eye out
for women they feel will benefit or be an asset to the organization.
The spotlight is on all women that have the drive to succeed and the
courage to empower. “There’s no color line when it comes to empowering
women; it’s the quality of the woman that matters most,” says Barron.
With a woman running in the US Presidential race, slowly clinching the
democratic ticket, all women realize how satisfying the long the fight
for equality has been and how each generation of girls will continue
to fight the good fight towards advancement as long as they have the
encouragement and support of other women.
“IF THERE IS ONE THING I WANT TO GET ACROSS IS THAT
WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER
I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR WOMEN TO
ADVOCATE, SUPPORT, EMPOWER, AND BE A CONFIDANT.”
Hair: Carla Foster, Black Butterfly Hair Salon • MUA: Winnifer Guerrero
Michelle Barron
Jewelry: LSI (Like Sisters Inseparable) • Lash Tech: Jennifer Reagan • Photo: Xavier’s

Brittny Baxter
empowering my people
Brittny Baxter, a 26-year-old Buffalo native, is doing it and doing it well. She is currently the Upstate
Legislative Organizer for the New York Working Families Party. According to Brittny, her job responsibilities
include mobilizing community stakeholders and organizations, while working alongside elected officials.
She is currently building a statewide coalition, NY Renews, around renewable energy legislation. She
uses her work as an avenue to create space for people of color in the environmental movement because
she sees it as a way to empower communities that have been historically ignored.
She states that she loves her work because, “it allows me to do what matters the most to me, and
that is engaging and empowering my people.”
Before joining Working Families, Brittny worked as a union Organizer-in-Training for New York State
United Teachers. She says, “the experience gave me an in-depth crash course on labor, what labor looks
like and how it is evolving to be more inclusive.”
Brittny Baxter
Legislative Organizer for the New York Working Families Party
“The Fight for Fifteen is a phenomenal way of reinvigorating the labor movement,” she says. “I worked
very briefly on the Fight for Fifteen,” but, “quickly realized it wasn’t the space for me.”
When asked where her space is, Brittny responded, “my space is wherever people of color don’t have
a voice, forcing myself into those places.” Brittny understands that if you are not seated at the table,
then you may likely be on the menu. “We are disparately and negatively impacted by decisions made
in rooms that we are not welcome in.”
Her comprehension of the complexities of racial inequity and segregation go beyond her 26 years.
Being raised and educated in one the most segregated cities in the country has shaped her perspective
of inequality. She credits her parents, who are educators, Robert and Vicki Baxter, as well as her
elementary school teachers for instilling pride in herself and a commitment to her community.
“I had teachers who were Black, who lived in my community and taught me where I came from.
And they were very honest about the realities that I would face once I left school.”
After spending her senior year of high school in North Carolina, Brittny came home and realized that
home was an imperfect place. “ Ironically, parts of North Carolina are far less segregated than the
city of Buffalo,” she says. “So, I came home because I wanted to affect some change in my town…
You can save the world, but what better place to start than your backyard?”
After high school, Brittny went to Erie Community College, where she began studying business. She
discovered that she hated accounting and chose to switch her major to Social Work. After researching
her professional options, Brittny realized quickly that “you can’t lift people out of poverty or help
them create avenues to free themselves if you are living in poverty. It made no sense to me to take out
$25,000 in loans to only make $20,000 per year. It just seemed . . . idiotic to me.” She transferred to
Buffalo State College and changed her major to Communications with the goal of using her skills to
create effective messaging tools that resonate in diverse audiences.
While completing her degree, Brittny had a son, whom she credits with reigniting her desire to invest
in her community. She found out she was having a boy soon after the murder of Trayvon Martin. She
remarked, “the realization that the murders of Black boys, men and women weren’t going to end on
their own, I realized that, as a Black woman, I had a responsibility to my child to ensure his future,
not only to prepare him, but to also create a world that he could exist in and live with dignity, hope,
respect and opportunity. I couldn’t go about life knowing I’ve done nothing to affect change in this
world to prepare it for my son”.
When asked what is holding us back as a people, Brittny responded, “we need to acknowledge the
trauma that has been inflicted upon us as a people and be able to grow and heal within the system
that reinforces that trauma.” As a people we need to be more supportive of each other. That means
changing the paradigm through which we as a community view our Blackness.
Whats next for Ms. Brittny Baxter? Continuing her fight for inclusion through her coalition building
around the NY Renews legislation. After that? Her fight will evolve, but the goal will be the same:
engaging and empowering her community.
When asked if she considered herself a rebel, she responded, “I’m just a mom who wants a better
world for my son, and all the children who look like him.” How will she make that happen? “Through
people power: bringing together a community of people who are willing to speak with their money
and their actions.“

Leonetta Baskerville
All-Natural BEAUTY
Leonetta Baskerville, better known as Lea, is the owner and director of Bodied by Lea. A
fitness fanatic; what started out as a hobby quickly became a lifestyle. Lea is setting a family
precedent for wellness and health. Having once been 250lbs she is now down to 139lbs! She
recalls the early beginnings of her fitness journey when she worked at home using weights.
Later, she went on to win fitness competitions! Competitors are judged on muscle symmetry,
muscle definition, pose, and overall physique. And what’s truly special is the fact that she is all
natural, meaning no steroids or performance-enhancing drugs. She is committed to working
out three days per week and making healthy eating choices. In addition to training, competing
and winning, she has also added judging competitions to her resume.
Showcasing again that women in our community are diverse and are able to lift any
challenging load, Lea is not only a personal trainer who runs a boot camp class every
Saturday at the King Urban Life Center [938 Genesee St. Buffalo, NY], she is also
working in law enforcement. So when she is not winning trophies and helping our
community achieve their fitness goals to live healthy lifestyles, she’s out in uniform as a
an officer in the Buffalo Police Department, keeping peace in order in our streets.
Leonetta Russell-Baskerville
fitness trainer
LEONETTA IS THE OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF BODIED BY LEA. Leonetta
is an experienced fitness professional with eight years experience in the fitness
industry. She also teaches kickboxing bootcamp every Saturday at the King Center
in Buffalo 938 Genesee St. to all fitness levels. Leonetta prides herself on being
a local business that helps thousands of people reach their goals, get in shape,
feel healthier and look great !

Buffalo
The Landscape in Buffalo’s economy is rapidly changing, and before you know it nothing will
look the same. It may be moving so fast, that construction companies are finding a hard time
keeping up with the pace building up the medical corridor. However, amidst all of this wonderful
change lies a problem, and that is, many could very well see everything around them change,
yet remain unaffected by it all, missing out on yet another opportunity to improve the quality
of our lives. However, there is an answer to this dilemma. HPOG of Buffalo (Health Professions
Opportunity Grant of Buffalo). This is an organization making an impact when it comes
to the dilemma of missed opportunity. For the past 5 years HPOG has trained 1,200 people for
Health Care occupations and placed an outstanding 80% of them in jobs, ranging from LPN’s,
CNA’s, Pharmacy Technicians just to name a few. This strong performance enabled HPOG to
be awarded for a 2nd round of funding. Where in September 2015, the Health Professions Opportunity
Grant of Buffalo was one of 32 projects awarded $8 million over a five-year period.
Mary Zerpa, Information Specialist; Pat Williams, Case Manager; Leslie Ayer, Program Coordinator; Liz Rivera, Marketing &
Recruitment Specialist; Paige Taylor, Career Navigator; Khalidah Sabir, Case Manager and Ella Hollaway, Case Manager Staff
So what’s the secret to the growing success of HPOG? Well, a significant amount can be attributed
to the support they provide to all their enrollees. Not only do they provide childcare for
single mothers, along with transportation funding, HPOG provides four on-site Case Managers
and Career Advisors. They believe that if someone is facing life’s tough issues alone, it can
be very challenging to focus on the task at hand. Supporting their enrollees at this level has
definitely impacted how many people actually make it through all the training. Training that
pays off to the point you’ll see enrollees jumping from a $12,000 annual income up to $30,000,
depending on the position. No matter the career path chosen, it’s just the beginning, because
HPOG stays with their enrollees. “It’s amazing, after watching them start their careers, we then
get to encourage and help them to advance” says Lauren Aaron, “and many of them do.”
As you can see, this isn’t your average, run of the mill training program, HPOG of Buffalo
along with their capable staff are helping to rewrite the story of people’s lives. To all that are
interested, candidates should attend a Health Care Career Workshop at The Buffalo Employment
& Training Center. Workshops are held each week: Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 9am and
Thursdays at 1pm. Most questions will be answered by attending a workshop. For any additional
information, please call 856.5627 and ask for an HPOG specialist. And from us here at
BWNY, Well done HPOG, well done!
Chivalry Is Not Jewelry
by Jaydbleu
In December’s “AWRT” article I mentioned that I would speak on chivalry in the future; well…
the future is now (subliminal message). Our future, as men, is shaped by how we are perceived,
and what we represent. We need to set standards, be firm in our beliefs, and prove it through
our actions. Chivalry is a huge part of being complete as a man, exudations of courage, honor,
courtesy, justice and readiness to help the weak. That is Chivalry. It’s not boldly worn like jewelry
or a chip on the shoulder; many aren’t even aware that it exists. I’ve been on the sidelines too
long watching the art of chivalry fall to its knees, and be disregarded like an outdated cell phone
or Compaq computer. BWNY would like for it to be understood that this topic is for all women
and men, not just people of color. Chivalry involves everyone, because men are failing at it, and
women don’t demand it.
In an unstable world, chivalry used to be the balance that helped nurture relationships. Today,
women are opening doors by themselves with men right next to, or in front of them. Women and
men are walking on the wrong side of each other (for those who don’t know, men are always
supposed to be on the side of the most traffic; when on the sidewalk, men should be on the side
nearest the street. In a parking lot, men should be on the side of the most passing traffic). I’ve
observed today’s men not opening car doors, pulling out chairs or carrying things for women.
It’s a lack of respect for what a woman represents. I once observed an elderly woman with a
cane (accompanied by a much younger man), walk from one house to directly across the street
to another house, but he stopped right at the curb. He didn’t even walk her across the street.
He watched her shuffle across the street, and didn’t even keep an eye on her to make sure that
she went into the house safely (I did of course). The most disheartening thing is that he was old
enough to know better.
Throughout history good men used to take pride in doing whatever they could to provide for the
family, while making sure that women were treated with respect. They held the position of their
manhood by taking it seriously, even when tired, hurt, or feeling rejected by the world around
them. And a good woman respected the fact that a good man is in fact, a man.
It’s unfortunate that nowadays it often takes two incomes in order to make a household run
smoothly, and that there are men who stay at home, while their wife/girlfriend works; (could
never be me) but if it has to be done, that man is still a man. It doesn’t make him less of a man if
he chooses to stay home, but he will be perceived that way, especially if he isn’t doing anything;
like trying to get a job, or being efficient around the house, helping with the children, meals and
so on.
As men and women, we have to be clear about what our roles are, along with our limitations. It
is a true display of respect when a woman knows that our manhood is not to be challenged. Like
all social orders, leadership/teams need to be established. If we, as men, aren’t apodictic as to
what our roles are; some women will challenge or ignore our masculinity. We can establish who
we are by doing the things that men are supposed to do. If met with resistance then it needs to be
seriously discussed. I feel that most women will always require a man to be a man, so shouldn’t
they fulfill their roles as women? You know, nurturing, supportive, giving and affectionate. But this
isn’t about how women can fulfill their roles, this is about how some men aren’t fulfilling theirs.
Men have become too soft, too dependent, and too lazy. It’s unacceptable for a man not to
know how to change a tire, or teach their children how to ride a bike. A man shouldn’t be too
lazy to cut the grass, or take out the trash. Should he help with the domestic chores as well?
Of course… it needs to be a team effort. Both people doing whatever is necessary to make team
run smoothly. It’s sad that with each generation, the line between manhood and womanhood is
impacted. Right now it’s a murky and thick line, and it will get thicker, and even more muddled if
we don’t rectify it.
There are still defining roles of femininity and masculinity that ego should never get in the
way of. A good woman needs to feel like a woman in every sense of the word… emotional,
sensitive, nurturing, caring, considerate and compassionate. A man shouldn’t be too rugged, or
closed-minded, to help her feel that way. As men, we are never excused from being men, being
chivalrous. A code that used to define masculinity, and if we don’t live up to that code, I’m quite
sure a good woman will find someone who will, or just opt to being alone. Just like when a
woman doesn’t care about the nurturing and compassion of her man, sooner or later a man will
find another woman who will.
Are we aware that times have changed and the roles of economic gratification are also fulfilled
by women for a myriad of reasons? Are we also aware that none of those reasons make women,
men? No matter the skill, strength or aggressiveness, they are still women. And… most likely
when any woman goes home, she won’t mind a man taking the time to make her feel like a
woman. Treat her with respect, and listen to what she has to say. If men aren’t willing to do it on
their own, then women must require it. In the past, there were good women who pointed men
in the proper direction from the day that they were born, so why should it be any different now?
Chivalry is respect. It should be worn proudly by men everywhere. It is more important and has
more intrinsic value than any watch, chain or bracelet.
Jaydbleu

11 E. Utica St. BUFFALO NY