The Buffalo Renaissance Foundation is a group of committed and hardworking individuals whose mission revolves around building a better Buffalo. We have worked together with the focus on improving the quality of life in Western New York for over 30 years. We will continue to help move our community forward for generations to come by fostering change through our charitable giving, our apprenticeship program and through positive dialogue at our annual luncheon and speaker forum.
For 30 years we have utilized our two major events, the annual luncheon and the annual golf tournament to generate charitable funds to support many educational, cultural and benevolent organizations within Western New York. We have donated the proceeds from these events through our commitment to give back to the community in which our families live and our businesses grow.
We will continue to shape young minds through our Renaissance Apprenticeship Program, a collaborative effort with the Buffalo Urban League. We have provided over 25 internships over the past four years for inner city candidates that would not likely have this opportunity afforded them.
Many of our other programs have showcased and benefitted Western New York, as well. In 2011, our annual luncheon honored longtime Western New York visionary and leader M&T Bank’s Robert Wilmers. Our honorary speaker, Dottie Gallagher-Cohen of Visit Buffalo, featured a webisode promoting Buffalo, one of a five-part series underwritten by our Foundation. Our annual speaker forum highlighted the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and its tremendous development over the past few years. Chief Operating Officer Patrick Whelan provided our directors, benefactors and grantees with an inside look at the Campus’ growth.
Our Veterans Luncheon, in its fourth year, produced our first scholarship to a deserving veteran named Frank Grillo, who attends Daemen College and served as a Combat Medic doing three tours of duty in places such as Sadr City, Ramadi, Talifar, and Kirkuk.
The newest BRF initiative, the Downtown Buffalo Sculptural Art Initiative, kicked off with the unveiling of The Spirit of Life tree, created by Valeria Cray-Dihaan. The piece was dedicated on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus at the corners of High and Ellicott Streets in early November. It is the first of a series of sculptures that will be created utilizing the theme of “Spirit of Buffalo.” The Initiative was funded with seed money from the BRF and was championed by our group. The next planned piece is slated for the Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site on Delaware Avenue.
I would like to thank my predecessor, Jake Schneider, who completed his second tour of duty as president. Jake, the original founder of our group, has left our house in great order for us to continue to ascend forward through the next decade. His vision for the Spirit of Buffalo sculptural art series will assure us that the BRF’s legacy has a physical presence in Buffalo for years to come.
I am humbled and enthusiastic to be at the wheel to continue the BRF’s journey through the next two years. I couldn’t be prouder to lead a more distinguished and dedicated cadre of individuals. We will continue to foster positive thinking and positive dialogue under my watch. I am also excited to work with our new Executive Director, Scott McManigle, who is ready to support us and help us make the step to the next level as a community-minded organization.
Eugene G. Kershner
President
Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, Inc.
