History of The Buffalo Criterion

The Buffalo Criterion Newspaper has a rich history of involvement and service to the community. With the belief that “...the pen is mightier than the sword”, Frank E Merriweather, Sr. and his wife Carmelita, established the Buffalo Criterion Newspaper in 1925, and set about (with their four children: Hulit, Frank E., Jr., Thyra, and Barbara) championing issues affecting Black Americans. Through the Criterion, the Merriweathers sought to help improve the lives of the people in their community, and worked for the growth and expansion of Blacks civically, politically, and economically, while documenting the history of Black Buffalo in photographs and journalism.

Today, the Criterion Newspaper, in its 99th year, remains the oldest Black newspaper in Western New York, and is the oldest Black business in Erie County. With the passing of the late editor, Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. on May 22, 1995, the Criterion moved into its third generation, in the tradition of the Merriweather legacy. Under the guidance of the late Frank E. Jr.’s wife, Evelyn (nee Patterson) along with their five children: Frank E., III, Bruce C., Frances J. Gist, Evelyn P. Ferguson, Carole Booth (deceased), and Judge Barbara Merriweather Sims (deceased), the Merriweather family remains strong in its commitment to continue informing the Black community on issues vital to its survival - including civil and human rights, politics, health, education, financial, employment, housing, entertainment and religion, and encouraging participating in the political process. The late Frank E., Jr. and wife, the late Evelyn Merriweather, have twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.