The Tops Markets shooting in May 2022 brought to light racial disparities on the East Side that became harder to ignore, along with urgent calls to do more to address them.
Neither was lost on the John R. Oishei Foundation, one of Western New York’s largest philanthropies.
Friday Night Live will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. every Friday through the end of August in a shopping plaza near Tops Markets on Jefferson.
The foundation – which has given out an average of $12.5 million annually in community grants during each of the last five years – announced Wednesday that it will now focus on the East Side “to address the root cause of racial inequity, working to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just region.”
“The inequities are clear. Black people in Buffalo earn 40% less, die 10 years sooner and own their homes one-third less often than white people, a statement said on the foundation website. “Buffalo is both one of the poorest and one of the most segregated cities in the country. … The region’s resurgence will only be complete when everyone is included.”
Christina Orsi, Oishei Foundation president, told The Buffalo News the decision to shift the foundation’s approach came after an extensive process that lasted more…
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