Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) and Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) are leaders of their generations; the former shaped public parks forever and designed Buffalo to be a “city within a park”, the latter led the charge for social and racial justice throughout North America and around the world.

At this community conversation, we seek to learn about where and how Mr. Olmsted’s philosophies align with Dr. King’s values, and to explore the role of parks and greenspaces through the lens of equity and justice.

Please join us on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Buffalo Museum of Science, Auditorium, 6pm-8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. Accommodations available upon request, please email Zhi@bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249, ext. 31. RSVP recommended, walk ups welcome.

Featuring special guests:

Sara Zewde, Founding Principal of Studio Zewde; Olmsted Scholar, and Assistant Professor at Harvard University, “Cotton Kingdom, Now”
Ashleigh Lawrence-Sanders, Assistant Professor at The University of Colorado Boulder, specializing in African American history
Jillian Hanesworth, Emcee; Buffalo’s first ever Poet Laureate, community organizer, a recording artist and activist
Clifford Bell, Invocation; Chairperson of the Board of the Buffalo African American Museum, Community Champion
Wil Green, Moderator; University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education, Director of Outreach & Community Engagement, and Educational Consultant