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Celebrating Black History Month at the African American Heritage Corridor

And what's in store for the future
The African American Heritage Corridor is launching a new plan to revamp the Corridor
Posted at 5:26 AM, Feb 25, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-25 17:04:43-05

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo is home to centuries of rich African American History and so much of it lives right in Downtown Buffalo in buildings we drive past daily.

"Our Corridor has also received more local and national attention, mostly focusing on the cultural significance and impact African Americans have had on our region," said Terry Alford, Executive Director of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor.

And soon, the entire Corridor is getting a makeover.

“Since this last spring, despite the many challenges posed by the pandemic, our Heritage Corridor has realized a great deal of momentum...[this] lends further to the excitement as our Corridor continues its transformation into the economic, cultural and social success," said Alford.

As part of the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund and East Side Avenues initiative, a plan will be developed through a 12-month community-building process, led by design firm Moody Nolan, to guide the Corridor in creating a strong, unified tourism destination that promotes key cultural and historic assets including the Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Nash House Museum, the Colored Musicians Club, and WUFO Radio and Black Radio History Collective.

A series of virtual public input meetings will be held in April and May of 2021 and will provide the opportunity for community members to inform the planning process and provide direct input.

The planning process, will be structured in six phases:

  1. Consensus building and stakeholder engagement program
  2. Project familiarization and scoping
  3. Best practices research
  4. Draft Strategic Action Plan
  5. Stakeholder and public review of draft Strategic Action Plan
  6. Finalize Strategic Action Plan

If you're still looking to celebrate or learn more for Black History Month right now, check out the four anchors right here in our community.

You can tour all four virtually by appointment, call 716-322-1002 or email aclark@michiganstreetbuffalo.org. Tickets are $15 for a guided tour. $10 for an unguided tour.

WUFO & Radio Black History Collective

  • Tours by appointment only
  • (716) 834-1080
  • info@wuforadio.com
WUFO is celebrating 60 years of radio
WUFO is celebrating 60 years of radio

Nash House Museum

  • Open for tours every Saturday, book here
  • $15 Adults
  • $10 Students and Seniors
  • Free children under 5

Additions will be mostly downstairs, with interactive displays about the Nash family and increased accessibility.

Michigan Street Baptist Church

  • Open for tours every Saturday
  • Contact: info@michiganstreetbaptistchuch.org

In spring, leaders at the Church are expecting to take down the scaffolding inside. Renovations to come will include a garden out front.

The plan is to add a garden to the church
The plan is to add a garden to the church

The Historic Colored Musicians Club

  • Closed for construction, virtual tours only

Plans are to add a green room and renovate the entire museum to include an elevator for increased accessibility, more live music and space for students to learn.

What's to come at the Colored Musicians Club
What's to come at the Colored Musicians Club