Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to Discuss Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. During Canisius University "Soup with Substance" Series

January 16, 2020

BUFFALO, NY – City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown will visit Canisius on Wednesday, February 5 to participate in the college’s Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “Soup with Substance” series.  Award-winning journalist and Canisius alumna Sandy E. White ’77 will interview Mayor Brown about Dr. King’s legacy and how his influence shapes the mayor’s life and work.  The mayor will also take questions from the audience.  The event begins at 12:00 p.m. in the Grupp Fireside Lounge, located on the second floor of the Richard E. Winter ’42 Student Center. 

The Honorable Byron Brown was re-elected to a fourth four-year term as mayor of New York’s second largest city in November 2017.  Under his leadership during the past 14 years, Mayor Brown has directed and delivered on major projects in every section of the city, improving and strengthening Buffalo’s neighborhoods. In just the past eight years, the area has experienced $7.3 billion in economic development. 

As Mayor Brown has continued to grow a more inclusive city, he has similarly spearheaded initiatives that have demonstrated a continued commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its residents by investing in strategic public safety and anti-crime initiatives, which have steadily decreased crime citywide. 

His career in public service is marked with many historic achievements: Mayor Brown is the first African-American mayor of Buffalo.  He is also the recipient of dozens of awards for public service, including a national recognition for his role in Say Yes Buffalo. 

 Free and open to the Western New York community, the Canisius University “Soup with Substance” series presents culturally-based programs to familiarize audiences with topics germane to ALANA cultures.  A favorite soup of Dr. King’s will be served for the body and discussion for the heart and mind.  Parking for the February 5 event is available, free of charge, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., in the college’s Science Hall parking ramp, located at the corner of Delavan and Jefferson avenues.  For more information, contact the ALANA Student Center at 716.888.2787.

One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Click here for more information about Canisius’ milestones and celebratory events.