© 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
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate Today
What's Next?
What’s Next?

What's Next? | Parole Reform in New York State

Published February 12, 2024 at 12:22 PM EST
Ways To Subscribe

Today’s What’s Next? welcomes Donna Robinson, a Buffalo community organizer for the advocacy campaign Releasing Aging People in Prison, or RAPP. Robinson joined the group in 2017 but has been advancing the rights of incarcerated people since long before. Her approach to the work is wide-ranging, and she knows firsthand what the carceral system can do to families across generations. She speaks with Jay Moran about parole reform, clemency, what it looks like for people who are still behind bars after decades, and what changes might be coming.

A woman in a white shirt stands in front of a red black, and white What's Next? sign

What's Next? 2024
Latest Episodes
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Shining a Light: The 6th Annual Refugee Film Festival and the Power of Storytelling
    The 6th Annual Refugee Film Festival is more than just a series of screenings—it's a powerful platform that highlights the voices, stories, and resilience of refugees from across the globe. Running from this month through April 2025, the festival brings the lived experiences of displaced people into focus, sparking conversation and understanding. On today’s show, host Jay Moran sits down with two incredible guests: Theresa DeLuca, Chief Advancement Officer at Journey’s End Refugee Services, and Andy Cammarata, Director of Outreach and Volunteers at the organization. Together, they discuss the impact of the festival, and the mission behind their work.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | FIG Fashion Festival: Dame Powell on Blending Urban Edge with Luxury and Empowering Buffalo
    The second annual FIG Fashion Festival is this Saturday at the iconic Seneca One Tower. The event looks to build off the promising launch of the event last year. On today’s show, we welcome back Dame Powell owner of DAME, a luxury leather goods brand in Buffalo. His mission “To empower & inspire our community by creating timeless pieces that blend urban edge with sophisticated elegance. We strive to bring a touch of luxury to the everyday, and to be a beacon of pride for our city and our culture. He sits with Jay Moran to discuss his thoughts his involvement in the first show and his return to for the second event.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | PATH to Restoration: Julie Palmer on Ending Human Trafficking and Empowering Survivors
    People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending human trafficking through education, prevention, and restoration. On today’s show, we’re joined by Julie Palmer, the Executive Director of PATH. Under her leadership, the organization has built a dedicated staff, established a survivor support fund, and increased public awareness of trafficking issues. Julie sits down with Jay Moran to discuss PATH’s work and the Enrichment Center, a safe space where survivors receive therapeutic support services, fostering healing and hope.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Exploring the Impact of a School Cell Phone Ban: Pros, Cons, and Student Well-being
    Recently, the Lackwanna School District implemented a cell phone ban for all its students. The ban aims to create fewer distractions and improve academic performance. On today’s show, we welcome Dr. Katheryne Leigh-Osroosh, an assistant professor of counseling, school and educational psychology at the University at Buffalo. She joins Jay Moran to talk about the pros and cons of the ban, including the psychological and social impact of the ban, particularly for students who rely on their phones or social media as key aspects of their identity.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Roadblocks to Opportunity: Fighting Transportation Inequality
    Transportation inequality restricts access to jobs and key services for community members. Go Bike and the Coalition of Economic Justice are two groups that aim to change the system through their transit initiatives and legislative recommendations. On today’s show, we welcome Justin Booth, the executive director of Go Bike, Kevin Heffernan, the communications director of Go Bike, and Jamal Davis, a transit rider organizer for the Coalition of Economic Justice. The three sit down with Thomas O-Neil-White to discuss what better transportation safety looks like, and how better access to transportation can be achieved.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Health for All: Bridging Gaps in Buffalo's Healthcare
    The Neighborhood Health Center is a vital healthcare provider in Buffalo dedicated to ensuring that every community member has access to quality medical services, regardless of their financial situation. Today we welcome Merlyn Hammer, the Senior Director of Public Health at Neighborhood Health Center. She sits down with Jay Moran to discuss the state of health equity in Buffalo, the challenges some residents face, and the solutions Neighborhood Health Center has developed to make healthcare accessible to all.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Addressing Key Issues in Buffalo Public Schools: A Roundtable on Opportunity, Mental Health, and Safety
    It’s back-to-school season! Recently, Thomas O’Neil-White hosted a Buffalo Public Schools roundtable discussion, which featured conversations on educational opportunity gaps, student mental health, and safety across all campuses. On today’s show, we welcome Jessica Bauer Walker, President of Buffalo Public Schools Community Health Worker Parent and Student Association, Danielle Grzymala, co-chair of the Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization, and Ed Speidel, the president of the District Parent Coordinating Council. All three are members of the BPS Parent Congress. We also welcome two BPS students, to get their insight on the issues they face, and the communication between them, their parents, and the district.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Growing Community: A Conversation with Tim Chen of Grassroots Garden WNY
    On today’s show, we speak with Tim Chen, Executive Director of Grassroots Garden WNY. Grassroots Garden is a dedicated group of community gardeners and activists in Western New York. Their mission is to address systemic harm and enhance neighborhood ties through their community garden project. Chen sits with Jay Moran to discuss the organization’s recent Soil Health Symposium, which is meant to educate the local community on soil screening and safety. They also explore the organization’s dedication to community development and environmental equity.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Fostering Change: Niagara University's Levesque Institute and the Future of Niagara Falls
    Today we welcome representatives of Niagara University Dr. Karen Kwandrans, Associate Vice President, and Rhonda Bivins-Talley, the Executive Director of the Levesque Institute. The Levesque Institute is an organization at the University that aims to generate civic engagement and make an impact in the revitalization of Niagara Falls. The two sit with Jay Moran to discuss how the Levesque Institute leverages its resources and influence to foster positive, sustainable change. They also explore the innovative programs and initiatives they've developed and their vision for the future of Niagara Falls.
  • What's Next?
    What's Next? | Empowering Futures: Say Yes Buffalo Expands to Niagara Falls, Offering New Paths to Higher Education
    Today welcome Mark Laurrie, the Superintendent of Niagara Falls Schools, and Dave Rust, the CEO of Say Yes Buffalo. The two join Jay Moran to discuss Say Yes’s recent expansion to Niagara Falls, and how the program will give hundreds of Niagara Falls students the chance to pursue higher education. The Niagara Falls Say Yes expansion is slated to start during the 2025 academic year, and the necessary endowment funding for the project sits at $18 Million.
Load More