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5/14 Remembrance Weekend 2023, Buffalo NY, Reflection, Healing & Hope

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
Margus D. Morrison
Andre Mackneil
Aaron Salter
Geraldine Talley
Celestine Chaney
Heyward Patterson
Katherine Massey
Pearl Young
Ruth Whitfield


The remembrance events include a panel discussion focused on combating white supremacy and social media radicalization, and an Educational Day of Healing & Restoration hosted by Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo Toronto Public Media. There will also be a community gathering focused on reflection, healing and hope, a remembrance service at Tops on Jefferson Avenue followed by a church service featuring Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant from the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia.

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.

FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2023

PANEL DISCUSSION: BEYOND HATE • 9:00 AM TO NOON

Registration Starts at 8:30 AM
Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve a spot via Eventbrite
ROSWELL PARK COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
DAVID C. HOHN, M.D. LECTURE HALL, 99 CARLTON ST. 

The event features a Conversation with New York Times Bestselling author, professor, and anti-racism activist Dr. lbram X. Kendi. The panelists include 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 and City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown.

EDUCATIONAL DAY OF HEALING & RESTORATION • 9:00 AM TO 2:25 PM

VIRTUAL | BUFFALO TORONTO PUBLIC MEDIA YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Buffalo Public School District in conjunction with ERIE 1 BOCES, other regional schools and Buffalo Toronto Public Media are hosting an "Educational Day of Healing & Restoration" for school age students, teachers, and their families. We welcome you to join us virtually using the links below. 

Kindergarten - Grade 4 

  • Messages from VP Kamala Harris, Mayor Byron Brown, and BPS Superintendent Tanja Williams
  • Mindfulness exercise
  • Dion Dawkins of the Buffalo Bills reads "I Am Every Good Thing" by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James, followed by a facilitated discussion
  • Violin performance

Grades 5 - 8 

  • Dancing and drumming performance
  • Spoken word performances
  • A reading of letters to the families of the victims of 5/14
  • A short healing circle

Grades 9 - 12 

  • A longer healing circle led by Dr. Donald Grant
  • A spoken word performance
  • A student-led roundtable discussion
  • A reading of letters to the families of the victims of 5/14
  • A clarinet music performance

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023

COMMUNITY GATHERING FOR REFLECTION HEALING AND HOPE • NOON TO 4:00 PM 

JOHNNIE B. WILEY AMATEUR ATHLETIC SPORTS PAVILION • 1100 JEFFERSON AVE 

The free event features prayer, healing-related activities, community resources, expressionists, food, and vendors.

SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023 

MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE • 2:00 TO 2:30 PM 

TOPS FRIENDLY MARKETS • 1275 JEFFERSON AVE 

The moment of remembrance will be led by Mayor Byron W. Brown, followed by church bells chiming at 2:28 pm.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HEALING AND HOPE • 6:00 PM

ELIM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP • 70 CHALMERS AVE 

A memorial church service featuring Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.