Pappy Martin Jazz Collective to Present A Special Event Commemorating 5/14

Locust Street Art Spring Art Show

Locust Street Art is hosting its annual Spring Art Show

The Pappy Martin Jazz Collective will host a special event commemorating 5/14 and honoring The Collective's Annual Betty Carter Birthday Celebration. It all takes place at True Bethel Baptist Church 907 E. Ferry Street Friday, May 19 at 7p.m. with headliner Charenee Wade Quintet. Renowned double bass player Curtis Lundy UMOJA will open performing an original musical suite commissioned to commemorate May 14, 2022. A Musicians' Masterclass Workshop led by Wade and Lundy will take place the next day, Sunday, May 20 also at True Bethel at 1 p.m. Wade, an international performer well studied in jazz and classical music, is also a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York. Lundy, composer, producer, choir director and arranger, is best known for his work as part of the late, great jazz vocalist Betty Carter's band.

Youth Mental Health Awareness Flash Mob

Mental Health PEER Connection, Western New York Independent Living, in collaboration with twelve other community partners, are holding the 10th Annual Mental Health Awareness Month Flash Mob Thursday, May 11 , from 2 PM to 7 PM at the Downtown Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square in Buffalo. The event will focus on engaging youth in our community and consist of music & dancing, participatory games &raffles, activities and workshops.

Saturday, June 24. This free event is open to the public and the perfect opportunity to celebrate our community's artistic talents. The building will feature work from their past two sessions, including animation, ceramics, drawing & painting, and photography. The event will run 1 - 6 p.m. and include food, outdoor activities, and music. They are also putting out a call to past students of Locust Street and MollyOlga as an effort to spotlight the creative talent that has come through their doors over the years. For more info please visit locuststreetart.org/annualartshow.

On Stage

Ujima Company presents Cullud Wattah, Opens Friday May 12 and runs for three weekends. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. “pay what you can” ticket on Thursday May 25 only, with the final two performances being Friday May 26 and closing on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. Go to ujimacoinc.org for tickets.

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MVP Mother's Day Celebration

MVP (Most valuable Parents) will host a celebration honoring Mothers, Sunday May 14, at 3p.m. at the AcQua Banquet Hall 2192 Niagara St. RSVP by calling Donna Bryant 716-602-7378. Tickets are $75 per person. Cashapp: $Queeneagle1

Friends of Jerry Livingston Mother's Day Gala

Mother’s Day Gala sponsored by Friends of Jerry Livingston. Saturday, May 14 2:30 pm at Buffalo Airport Hotel, 4600 Genesee Street. Contact Diane Livingston for tickets at 716 270-3244.

WUFO Pre-Mother's Day Luncheon

WUFO Pre Mother's Day Luncheon, Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road. Ticktes $30 (716) 834-1080 email info@wuforadio.com

D MOTT's Mother's Day Extravagamza

Mother’s Day R&B Extravaganza Featuring D’Mott Sunday, May 14 with special guests Kenyada Nikile and LaQuincia Motley-Allen and hosted by comedian Terre King at Babeville, 341 Delaware Avenue at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6p.m. General Admission seated tickets are $55 and can be purchased on TixR.com or in person at the Babeville Box Office Mon.Fri. 11a.m.-5p.m.

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-Caller to The Challenger May 4,2022

It was an unexpected phone call a few hours after our May 4th issue was released on the stands last Thursday that ignited even deeper thought into those affected by the May 14 Massacre .

The caller was extremely frustrated and by the sound of his voice quite hurt and upset. He started with a question. "Let me ask you something, why is it that whenever people talk about the Tops massacre they never say anything about the survivors”? Crying, his voice cracking with pain he continued. “It's always the same thing, no mention of the survivors ! We were affected by what happened too and we feel like nobody cares !

“I mean not even the Challenger!? “ he continued tearfully. “ I was in that store. The guy shot at me twice and I just don’t understand how the survivors never get mentioned like we don’t matter."

In a compassionate and apologetic effort I tried to assure the caller that we absolutely cared, as do many others in this community. In a mass shooting with so many lives lost however, the primary focus is on the victims. But there is no less compassion for the survivors.

After hanging up I realized that despite our coverage on survivors who came to us with their stories, and or writers who produced stories on their experience, the truth is the survivors of the actual attack, either in the parking lot , or in the store who were blessed to make it out alive are also burdened with an uphill battle of healing. That topped with the feeling like nobody cares, that nobody acknowledges your pain, that you are second tier for support and overlooked, just adds to the trauma.

What can we do as a community to extend the kind of support to survivors that will help them on their healing journey? How can we change the narrative of showing our care, love and support so that they can feel it , trust it and use it to continue on…to heal and move forward

Our talented correspondent/activist Myles Carter has not only written articles over the past year about the plight of survivors and their struggles, he also serves as an advocate for them and any others who may need help.

In the cover story this week “5/14 : Forgotten Survivors,” he does a follow up with four survivors who, at the end of the article, share a list of seven “demands” in their quest for accountability and transparency.

Perhaps acting on those demands could be a start.

-Leah Hamilton

Voice Buffalo Calls on Faith Leaders, Mental Health Professionals to Help provide Spiritual Care to Community

As we near the anniversary of the attack on our community and Black joy, we will be standing in solidarity against White nationalism by creating a Week of Healing. Events will be happening from Friday, May 12- Sunday, May 14. We are calling on faith leaders and mental health professionals to assist in providing spiritual care to the 14208 community. Sign up to staff our Calming Spaces, provide spiritual care, and to give to the 5/14 one year anniversary support fund . For more info please email alia@voicebuffalo.org.