"We can facilitate greater social justice often by ensuring that the 'little guy' in our communities has not only access to but control over neighborhood resources. This is why 'local' matters to me. When a community is able to own their neighborhood businesses, schools, government, organizations and media, it thrives. People not only have a say in how things happen but they feel a greater sense of responsibility to and respect for the people and environment around them."
"The thing I love most about Buffalo First is the members that I interact with on a daily basis. Many of them are independent shop owners. To them business is far more than a way to make money—it is their lives. Some are so passionate about their business that they will work a second job, just to keep the doors open. They often have relationships with patrons that go back years—even generations. They know not only the names of their employees but the names of their employees' children. They are engaged: they keep up on the decisions of the local neighborhood association and their elected officials. They have pride in what they do and they have pride in where they are. They work to make our communities healthy, vibrant and meaningful because they are part of it."
Rebecca has a strong passion for community organizing and engagement. She established her footing as an organizer with the Buffalo Activist Network in 2001. Her work with B.A.N led her to educate, both locally and nationally around issues of fair trade and corporate globalization.
Rebecca received her undergraduate degree in Health Science from SUNY Brockport. In 2007, she founded the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley's CampusOUT program, an organizing and advocacy program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) and ally students. In addition to working with students, Rebecca engaged youth service providers to formulate a response to LGBT youth homelessness in the Monroe County area.
Her work as a interim administrative organizer with the Rochester-Genesee Valley Labor Federation (AFL-CIO) in early 2009 resulted in the formation of Next Generation United, a coalition of younger Labor that increases the visibly of younger workers through education, engagement, and mobilization for social and economic justice.
Rebecca returned to Buffalo in 2009, where she is currently working on her Masters in Communication and Leadership at Canisius College. Rebecca is excited to contribute to Buffalo First's mission for the development of a a socially responsible, community owned economy in Western New York.
Under Bishop's leadership, Buffalo First! has become an invaluable resource to the Western New York region, creating the framework for a locally-based economy supported by independent businesses that are more responsible, responsive and engaged on local issues, including local culture and environment. Moreover, Bishop has championed a myriad of advocacy and policy-related localist issues during her tenure, including significant alterations to the trajectory of redevelopment at Buffalo's historic waterfront, the successful passage of Benefit Corporation legislation in New York State, and transferring over $100,000 in community assets into local credit unions and banks in a single day.
Bishop has been recognized locally for her many contributions to furthering the cause of economic justice and building a local living economy in Buffalo and Western New York, receiving the Future of Justice award in 2011 from the Coalition for Economic Justice. Ze also sits on the Private Sector Council of One Region Forward, a cross-sector partnership of public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders in an initiative to increase coordination, collaboration, and sustainable growth across Western New York. Ze has been a contributor in both local and national publications, including Block Club Magazine and Next American City.
Ze also serves on the board of the Pride Center of Western New York, with a focus on sexual orientation and gender expression as it relates to economic justice.
Ze holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science and Intercultural Studies from Houghton College.
Andrew returned to Buffalo the following year, and quickly found himself immersed in the burgeoning community activism and rich cultural, creative and architectural heritage of the city. As the president of local software development firm Connare Tech, Inc. for the past six years, Andrew has brought his creative vision to many businesses in the area and across the country, designing websites and web-based systems for clients including Menne Nursery, the Northeast LGBT Conference, Five Points Bakery, Buffalo Architecture Foundation, Buffalo First! and The Art Economist magazine.
His nonprofit involvement began in the Membership and Development department at the Buffalo Zoo, where he worked for five years. Andrew has volunteered his time for many local initiatives, including the Delaware Soccer Club, The Good Neighborhood, Architecture+Education, Building Engineering Awareness for Minorities (BEAM) and as a member of the Buffalo Jugglers. In 2010, he began renovations on a architecturally significant home on Buffalo's lower West Side. Andrew has worked at Buffalo First! since March 2011.
Karen is a Buffalo native who returned to Buffalo after 23 years. She has lived in PA, VA, NC, CA and Okinawa, Japan. Karen has been involved in military and non-profit organizations for over 30 serving as an Executive Director of an arts organization, a commerce organization, an at-risk youth organization and a humanitarian organization. She has served on many Boards and Committees in the communities where she resided. She is currently on committees with VetsHerd; Habitat for Humanity and is serving on the board of Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives. Karen owned Mind Your Manors Interior Decorating and Design and the Lewis-Bosworth Non-Profit Marketing Agency.
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