What’s Next?
Every Weekday
What’s Next? is a program that uncovers and discusses the issues and topics pertinent to marginalized and underrepresented populations of Western New York and Southern Ontario.
From inception, days after the racist May 14, 2022 shooting in Buffalo, the show has tasked itself to be a champion for social equity and justice. Moving forward we will continue to feature voices from all parts of our shared community to celebrate our individual differences as well as the commonalities.
The show is broadcast live on the air from 10am to 11am Monday through Friday, and airs again at 9pm Monday through Thursday as well as Sundays at 6pm on WBFO. It is also available digitally through WBFO’s website, apps, and as a podcast.
Listeners can participate by using the "Talk to Us" feature in the WBFO mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices. Open the app and scroll to the bottom bar where the "Talk to Us" button allows listeners to send audio recordings straight to the newsroom.
You can also reach the production staff by e-mailing WhatsNext@wbfo.org.
Latest Episodes
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On today's episode, our guest is Najja Bouldin, founder of Phoenix Innovation Group, LLC. A company that assists individuals and organizations in unlocking their imagination, enhancing creativity, overall resilience, and igniting fiery grit fit for achieving goals. Thomas O’Neil White speaks with the founder about the many services that the group provides to individuals and organizations including performance coaching, speaking, consulting, and facilitating creativity. -
On today's episode of "What's Next," WBFO Holly Kirkpatrick who recently released her story “Driving While Black in Buffalo” shares more of her findings and we'll hear from several people who provided context for her reporting, including a city resident who has been stopped more than once by Buffalo police, a local activist calling for change in how city police conduct their work and a national attorney who argues the practice is in violation of state and federal law.
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On today’s Producer’s Picks, we are highlighting the “State of Black Journalism” episode with Thomas O’Neil-White and Angelea Preston interviewing I’Jaz Ja’ciel President of the National Association of Black Journalists. The three have an in-depth conversation about the state of black journalism in WNY, Buffalo Media, and the obstacles black journalists face in WNY and beyond. Following the interview Jay Moran speaks with both Thomas O’Neil-White and Angelea Preston to give their thoughts of the interview.
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On today's episode, Kissena Frazier founded Akcess Granted, a college access coaching company that helps underrepresented and marginalized communities through the college enrollment process. As a first-generation college student and graduate, Fraizer speaks on her experience as a young mother navigating college. Last year, Mayor Byron Brown made November 8 "First Generation Day", in honor of Frazier. Frazier speaks about Akcess, HBCU's, the ban of critical race theory, limitations of African American studies in Florida, and more.
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On today’s episode, Dr. Keith Burich returns to discuss his book “The Thomas Indian School and the Irredeemable Children of New York. A school that history needs to be heard. Dr. Burich shares his knowledge about what he discovered while writing the book, and the impact that the school left on Native Americans in Western New York.
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On today’s episode, a conversation with Stephanie Peete, Director of Workforce Development at Say Yes and Co-Owner of Second Chapter Bookstore. Celebrating black stories and culture while writing their own narratives. Stephanie speaks on what inspired her and her mother to open the bookstore. As Director of Workforce Development at Say Yes, Buffalo she gives her insight on how the youth is changing the workforce.
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On today's episode, a wide-ranging conversation with Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo. A trained immigration attorney, she now leads the Institute in assisting new people to the region and communicating the realities of life as a refugee. Jennifer Rizzo-Choi dispels the myths and perceptions regarding refugees and asylum seekers and discusses the extensive work conducted by the International Institute of Buffalo.
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Today on What’s Next? Thomas O’Neil-White is joined by returning guest Advocate/Consultant/Educator Wil Green. The two catch up since his last appearance as he is now the Director of Outreach and Community Engagement at the University of Buffalo Graduate School of Education. They also discuss Tremani Solutions, LLC an Educational Consulting Company that focuses on building Cultural and Racial Literacy and addressing Cultural and Racial conflicts that happen in schools.
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Today on What’s Next?, Jay Moran sits with the Executive Director of the “Near East and West Side Task Force” Francesca Mesiah and Task Force member Dior Lindsey. Formed in 2006, the Task Force's mission is to be a collaborative group of community partners, who through advocacy, promote the well-being and self-sufficiency of racial and ethnic communities in Buffalo. The three will discuss the history of the task force, the impact it’s had, and what the future looks like for these communities.
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On What’s Next? we are joined by Native American Support Title VI Coordinator Stacey Purpera, Jordan Cooke, and Dr. Berner-Wallen from Lakeshore High School to discuss with Jay Moran, Native American Heritage Month, the importance of the Indigenous community, honoring the diverse cultures, traditions and histories.
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Today, on What’s Next? we examine Buffalo Toronto Public Media's documentary The Niagara Movement: the Early Battle for Civil Rights. -
On this week’s Producers' Picks, we revisit three stand-out conversations from the last few episodes of What’s Next? First off, we hear from Executive Director at Literacy NY Tara Schafer and Interim Executive Director at Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center Brittany Tranello. Then we continue with a tour around Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve with Environmental Educator Marcus Rosten and another tour in the new Buffalo AKG Art Museum with the Director Janne Siren.
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On today’s “What’s Next?” Thomas O’Neil-White discusses black nerds with returning guest LaGarrett King who brings with him Black History Educator, Researcher and author of the newly released Beyond February Dawnavyn James to discuss everything Black History.
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On today’s “What’s Next” we are joined by Wayne Brown. A clinical social worker and advocate who is focused on patients facing complex challenges, including addiction, positive parenting and curbing corporal punishment in parents, and the issues of self-harm and suicide.
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Thomas O’Neil-White is joined by Dorian Withrow Jr. The two discuss his books “Conversations You Need” and “Wisdom 45 Advice” and navigating hardship with philosophy.
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On today’s What’s Next? We are joined by one of the 2023 Buffalo Black Achievers Buffalo Urban League Chief Operating Officer Melissa Archer.
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On this episode Thomas O’Neil-White is joined by the President of Jes Breathe Block Club Association Gina Davis and Humboldt Parkway resident Terrence Robinson. The three discuss the community’s concerns with the proposed construction project, health concerns, the feeling of not being heard by the state, and is this project actually reconnecting neighborhoods or is it further gentrifying the neighborhood?
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Jay Moran is joined by CEO of Better Living Interest, LLC Paul Perez, and Co-Founder and Local Board President of the Erie Niagara Board of Realtist Andrew Scott who is known within the Real Estate world as the “House Plug”. The three discuss the recent announcement of the Local Chapter of “The Premier Network of Black Real Estate Professionals” to Erie and Niagara County and the challenges of home and land ownership within the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
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After being wrongfully convicted and spending 27 years in prison, Angelea Preston talks with artist and Buffalo native Valentino Dixon. The two talk about how he was able to reconcile feelings of despair while incarcerated by listening to advice from his uncle, to use his passion for art to reclaim his life. His artwork has caught the attention of Golf Digest as well as First Lady Michelle Obama, who gifted his artwork to former President Barack Obama.
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On today’s episode of What’s Next? We are joined by CEO and founding Executive Director of Say Yes, Buffalo David Rust. Jay Moran and David talk about a variety of topics ranging from access to postsecondary pathways and what it means for the future of Buffalo students and families, to CareerWise Greater Buffalo to the recent announcement of the Say Yes Buffalo Apprenticeship Program.
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Franklin H. Williams was a civil rights leader, lawyer, diplomat, and chair of the first judicial commission dedicated to racial fairness. His legacy will be featured in the award-winning PBS documentary, “A Bridge to Justice: The Life of Franklin H. Williams.” which will be airing on WNED PBS. Today we speak with the executive director of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, Esq. To discuss the documentary, the legacy of Franklin H. Williams, the weeklong services that will take place this week, and much more.
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On this week’s Producers’ Picks, we revisit two stand-out conversations from the last few episodes of What’s Next? First, Jay Moran speaks with Pastor George Nicholas, leading up to Igniting Hope 2023 in September; the two discuss health disparities in the African American community amongst women in Western New York and the importance of Igniting Hope. Then we hear from local artist and leather craftsman Dame Powell, who stopped by leading up to the FIG Fashion Show in late September to discuss his inspirations and how he discovered his passion.
