© 2024 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
WBFO Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Your NPR Station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Amherst Addresses Diversity

By Eileen Buckley

Amherst , NY – Amherst Town Supervisor Susan Grelick is organizing a "Community Diversity Coalition."

The leader of Buffalo's NAACP calls it "courageous".

Grelick said the purpose of forming a "diversity coalition" for Amherst is to enhance and increase cooperation and understanding among residents.

She said it is especially important as Amherst becomes a more diverse population.

"Some of the responsibilities the coalition will study included the demographics and to see that everyone is treated equality and fairly in the town of Amherst," said Grelick.

The coalition will be formed by a ten-member planning committee.

President of the Buffalo chapter of the NAACP, Frank Mesiah, is part of the formation committee.

Mesiah said Grelick's efforts are not only "courageous," but "necessary."

"It is the idea of prevention," said Mesiah. "Most communities wait until they have a problem before they take this kind of action to help get people together of different groups to discuss issues that may impact on their community."

"I think it is a good step for Amherst," he added.

Mesiah said a diversity coalition would be very helpful in Buffalo, especially in light of recent racial tensions over a Common Council reapportionment plan.

He said that such a coalition could ease tension.

Grelick said the diversity coalition in Amherst will study the demographics of the town and foster cultural awareness.

"We are looking to increase minority particpation on our govermental boards and committee's in wn commites," said Grelick. "We hope these meeting sare designed to promote who we are as a community in Amherst."

Grelick said she expects the coalition, which willl include a "broad-base" of citizens, to be in place by this fall.

Frank Mesiah said Amherst will now have a mechanism in place to deal with difficult or controversial issues.