BUFFALO, N.Y. — People in East Buffalo are finally getting a seat at the table, allowing residents to give input on changes they would like to see in their neighborhood.
"We really took a step back over the last year and really looked at, is everyone in the community really benefiting and prospering," President of Oishei Foundation Christina Orsi questioned. "We're seeing lots of regional growth. Which has been wonderful and celebrating a great renaissance, but at the same time, we're still a city with one of the third highest rates of poverty and the most segregated," Orsi says.
The goal is to address root causes and barriers that deny opportunities to Eastside residents.
"We have to change what we do. Going forward, everything that The Oishei Foundation will do is going to be focused starting on the East side of Buffalo," Orsi says.
"Black people earn 40% less than White people in the community and die ten years sooner," Orsi says.
Right now, they're asking for community input. What needs to change to elevate the community, and how can they do it without forcing people out of the neighborhood?
"That takes constant communication; regular communication. Trust and transparency are key. If we're talking about committing to systemic racism, that's an all hands on deck approach," says Executive Director of Open Buffalo, Franchelle Parker.
Open Buffalo is an organization that advances racial economic justice. And now that the East side has a seat at the table, she hopes this doesn't become another broken promise.
"There's been over 400 years of systemic racism in our community, and I know that we're not going to get out of that in 5 years. I know it'll start moving the needle, but it's going to take some time," Parker says.