2020 High Road Fellows

There's a lot to be done in our current political moment, and it's up to all of us to take on responsibility in building a society and economy that works for everyone.

Helen developed two amazing documents that are critical to the post COVID-19 work we will do in Community Schools and Parent Centers.

My greatest takeaway from the summer is the need for greater resources and equitable hiring practices for students pursuing transformative workforce development opportunities, especially for students of color.

I learned how important it is for community members and organizations to fight for equity in whatever avenue of advocacy that they are called to. It was incredible to hear from community organizers who were all making significant change in Buffalo in so many different ways.

Local community organizations are incredibly impactful both in the areas they serve directly and in advocating for policy change broadly.

Working at FAB helped me understand how important arts-based programs are to the economic success and wellbeing of the community members in that region.

In Buffalo (and in communities across the country), local advocates and organizations are on the front lines of creating real political change.

Civic participation and community involvement is crucial to social justice and progress and can create significant momentum to shape a High Road society.

The High Road is a way to help a community with rich history and diversity in a variety of different forms with the idea that collectivism will make Buffalo stronger and even better.

Throughout the summer, I have gained a glimpse into the tools and strategies community organizations deploy to address the disparities that plague our cities. I have realized how possible it is to create a tangible impact through this line of work.

Opportunities for collaboration exist almost everywhere, between industries I never would have expected and organizations I never would have thought of. The trick is to expect and think of them.

I was able to enhance my quantitative analytical and communication skills as well as gain valuable insight into local politics and socioeconomic issues.

As best said by my supervisor, Maria Ta, the arts are the vehicle for change and are vital in giving a voice to the underserved and underrepresented.

My biggest takeaway is the importance of implementing the values I guard as an individual into the work that I do for the community.

When organized labor wants to, it can be the most effective tool of the working class in struggles for justice, but wanting to is half the battle.

I learned a lot about housing and how much of an impact certain laws can have on people’s lives.

Over policing and incarceration are merely the fruit of a larger problem of racial inequity in Buffalo.

Being from Syracuse, I appreciated this opportunity to learn from the powerful work being done in Buffalo – another small city in upstate NY!

If instances of collective action aren't being criticized by those in power, it probably is not radical enough.

There are a lot of people working very hard in each of our communities to make them the vibrant, creative, and kind places they are or could become: we must give them the tools to do the best work possible so that we might all thrive.

I don't think I can have a career in which I’m not serving the public good. The High Road meant so much to me in part because I got to get up every day and feel like I was doing something meaningful.

This summer I learned how expansive food systems are and how important public food purchasing is to the well-being of Black and brown community members and businesses.

There are numerous opportunity barriers faced by small business owners in today's world, whether it be predatory lenders or the ramifications of the current economic crisis; however, there are benevolent organizations (such as Community Development Financial Institutions) that legitimately care about and can provide quality services to those in need.