In addition, a reflective light display will shine on the columns of Buffalo City Hall from dawn to dusk throughout the weekend of May 12th, as part of a special tribute to the ten lives taken. Their families chose the color that best represented their loved ones.

“The racially motivated mass shooting shook our community to its core. It was a day the unthinkable happened. It happened because the wound caused by white supremacy embedded in our country’s history and fabric continues to fester, not just in Western New York, but across our nation. It also happened because social media platforms and gun laws have gone unchecked for far too long in our country,” said Mayor Brown. “We must come together as a nation to face this fact, to address racism, and to educate our young people of all ages and of all races, or we will continue to see innocent people killed by individuals filled with hate.”

The theme of the 5/14 Remembrance Weekend is Reflection, Healing & Hope. It will honor those impacted by the racially motivated mass shooting and the following lives lost: Roberta A. Drury of Buffalo, Margus D. Morrison of Buffalo, N.Y., Andre Mackneil of Auburn, N.Y., Aaron Salter of Lockport, N.Y., Geraldine Talley, Celestine Chaney, Heyward Patterson of Buffalo, N.Y., Katherine Massey, Pearl Young of Buffalo, N.Y., and Ruth Whitfield.

Shortly after the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue, Mayor Brown organized the 5/14 Remembrance Committee. At his request, the committee was tasked with engaging the community and hosting a series of events to honor the individuals who were impacted by the terrorist attack. Additionally, he tasked committee members to raise funds for the design and construction of a 5/14 Memorial planned by the 5/14 Memorial Commission, established by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Brown.

Eunice A. Lewin, SUNY Trustee and co-chair of the 5/14 Remembrance Committee said “I am very honored to serve on this committee. It has been a wonderful experience working with the esteemed members of the 5/14 Remembrance Committee. The remembrance weekend will be healing, enriching and will most of all honor the lives impacted by the mass shooting.”

Dr. Michael Edbauer, President of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York and co-chair of the 5/14 Remembrance Committee said “As the first anniversary of the tragic May 14 mass shooting approaches, weremember the innocent lives taken on that unfathomable day. We are also reminded of the trauma that still exists in our community. As we focus on healing, ending racism must continue to be at the forefront of our discussions. That’s why we are working to unite our community to listen and learn, so we can enact change that honors the victims who lost their lives in the face of hatred.”

Diane Colgan, Sr. Vice President of Tops Friendly Markets said, “As we continue to reflect and honor all those impacted by the events of 5/14, we also continue to work diligently on rebuilding a stronger East Buffalo community,” said Diane Colgan, Sr. Vice President of Tops Friendly Markets. “In the days and weeks following this tragedy, our community was brought closer together and doors opened wider, allowing us to forge new partnerships that we know are stronger because they come from a place of genuine sincerity and a true desire to want more for our neighbors.”

Tom Calderone, President and CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media said, “We are grateful to collaborate with partners across the city and region to mark the anniversary of the racist mass shooting on May 14, 2022 with a focus on reflection, healing, and hope, but also to confront racism through thought-provoking storytelling on all our platforms.”

5/14 REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND: REFLECTION, HEALING & HOPE

FRIDAY, MAY 12TH

Educational Day of Healing & Restoration

The Buffalo Public School District in conjunction with BOCES and Buffalo Toronto Public Media are hosting an “Educational Day of Healing & Restoration” for school age students. The event will feature a Virtual Healing Circle, book readings, uplifting messages from special guests.

Beyond Hate: A Panel Discussion

Featuring: A Conversation with New York Times Bestselling author, professor, and anti-racism activist Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.

Panelists: The Most Reverend Michael Curry Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States and author of Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times, Dr. Helene Gayle, President of Spelman College, John B. King Jr. Chancellor of the State University of New York, City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the event takes place from 9 a.m. until Noon at the David C. Hohn M.D. Lecture Hall at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve a spot via Eventbrite.

SATURDAY, MAY 13TH

Community Gathering for Reflection Healing and Hope

The event will take place from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion. The event is free and will feature prayer, healing related activities, community resources, expressionists, food, and vendors.

SUNDAY, MAY 14TH

Moment of Remembrance

Event Information: 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue. The moment of remembrance will be led by Mayor Byron W. Brown and followed by church bells chiming at 2:28 p.m.

Memorial Service for Healing and Hope

A memorial church service featuring Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia. The worship service will take place at 6 p.m. at Elim Christian Fellowship 70 Chalmers Avenue, Buffalo.

5/14 REMEMBRANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• Eunice A. Lewin, SUNY Trustee
• Michael Edbauer, President of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York
• Tom Calderone, President and CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media
• Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Offensive Lineman
• Rapper Conway the Machine
• Actor Bill Fichtner
• Robin S. Truesdale, Premier Cigars & Lounge Co-Owner
• Diane Colgan, Sr. Vice President of Tops Friendly Markets
• Eric Feldstein, M&T Bank Regional President of Western New York
• Timothy Murphy, Chief Administrative Officer Mastercard & National Urban League Board Chairman
• Cedric Holloway, Director of Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion
• Dr. Luis E. Chiesa, University at Buffalo Professor of Law & Director of the Buffalo Criminal Law Center
• Gloria Adkins, Vice President of Jefferson Avenue Apartments Tenant Council
• Ruth Kennedy, Jefferson Avenue Block Club
• Alice Jacobs, Albright Knox Art Gallery Board President
• Dr. Helene Gayle, Spelman College President
• Thomas Beauford Jr., Buffalo Urban League President & CEO
• Laura Zaepfel, Uniland Vice President of Corporate Relations
• Patti Thomas, 34 Group Inc A Thurman Thomas Company, Chief Business Development Officer
• Garnell Whitfield, 5/14 Family Member
• Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills Pro Football Hall of Fame member
• Peter DeJesus, President Western New York Area Labor Federation (WNYAFL) AFL-CIO
• Rachelle S. Robinson, Senior Pastor New Covenant United Church of Christ
• Kyria Stephens, Director of Inclusion and Community Initiatives for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
• Zeneta Everhart, 5/14 Family Member
• Cheryl M. Calire, Executive Director of Pastoral Ministries for the Diocese of Buffalo Office of Cultural Diversity
• Ken Turner, Regional Disaster Officer Red Cross
• Timothy Brown, President of Baptist Minister’s Conference of Buffalo & Vicinity
• Judge Rose Sconiers
• Chantele Thompson, City of Buffalo Chief Diversity Officer

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