Community Engagement

Community Engagement is a crucial component of the Buffalo Center for Health Equity. It focuses on establishing BCHE as a leader and preferred partner in promoting and convening community conversations on social determinants of health, public policy and existing programs’ impact on community-related issues across Western New York.

Policy impacts the social determinants of health. Policy change requires advocacy from the community. Our community engagement department has built an informed network of community citizens who can mobilize to influence policy makers and target policies that impact health outcomes.

With community information meetings and discussions (Igniting Hope, Gun Violence Prevention Summit, and Youth food sustainability Summit) averaging in excess of 400+ attendees, the BCHE has the region’s attention. Moreover, our work with the Buffalo Sewer Authority, AmeriCorps and Harvest House, has allowed the BCHE to impact the economics of the Eastside by providing job training and employment to opportunity youth with our target area.

Our primary objective is to broaden external communications using (1) face-to-face community programming, (2) responsive web presence inclusive of social media content/ podcast episodes, (3) the Community Stakeholders group, and our workforce development program.

Native American Heritage Month Flag Raising

Joining members of the Indigenous community of Buffalo, BCHE played a role in the second annual flag raising of Native American Heritage month. Joining several community groups, elected officials, and community members, we honored the contributions, history, and continued richness of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora peoples).

BCHE Audio/Visual Podcast Studio

An innovative platform designed to amplify local voices, creating a space for meaningful dialogue about health equity and the social determinants of health. It highlights transformative individuals and organizations addressing these issues while offering high-quality podcast production and post-production services. Weekly episodes showcase impactful work and produce engaging social media content through smaller clips. Additionally, the studio serves as a production hub for community-driven initiatives, including the Buffalo Fatherhood Initiative and Igniting Hope. This aligns with BCHE’s mission to elevate community-led solutions and raise awareness of critical health and social challenges.

Episodes of the Igniting Hope Podcast can be found on Youtube here.

Tobacco and Menthol Ban Advocacy

BCHE collaborated with the American Heart Association, No Menthol Buffalo, and UB to counter misinformation about menthol cigarettes, advocating for protective health policies.

Igniting Hope Conference

The Igniting Hope Conference brings hundreds of community leaders, researchers and public officials to the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo for a day of information sharing on the BCHE’s work to address the social determinants of health.