Buffalo Black Billion Initiative and the Celebration of Trailblazers

On February 28th at Friendship Baptist Church, 402 Clinton, the Baptist Ministers Conference of WNY, in honor of Black History Month and in conjunction with the Buffalo Black Billion Initiative and the celebrating Trailblazers series highlighted The Buffalo Criterion Newspaper, WNY Oldest Black Weekly for 100 years of service. The Criterion is also WNY’s Oldest Black Business, founded in 1925. Frank Merriweather, III, Public Relations Director of the Criterion, accepted the award.

Remarks were given by local and state Baptist officials, President Keith Mobley of the WNY Baptist Conference and Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, in Lackawanna, N.Y. NYS Moderator Dennis Lee and Pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church and Pastor Frank Bostic, Pastor of Pilgram Baptist Church, and AMRP Chief Cliff Bell. City and State officials, NYS Senator April Baskins and NYS Senator Sean Ryan, and others that gave remarks were Rashida McDowell of M&T Bank, Pastor Edward Jackson brought the Preached Word, The Friendship Baptist Church Praise Team provided the song service. The First photo shows, President Keith Mobley (left) and Frank Merriweather III (right). The second photo shows, Chief Cliff Bell.