The Buffalo History Museum Creates Series to Strengthen Innovation Sector
Free B.I.G: Buffalo Innovators Gathering program is designed to support and connect the region’s innovators.
Buffalo, N.Y., January xx, 2025 - The Buffalo History Museum is launching Buffalo Innovators Gathering, also known as B.I.G., with a series of events in 2025 designed to bring Buffalo’s current and up-and-coming innovators together for networking, sharing, and supporting one another.
The series, held quarterly at the Buffalo History Museum, is designed to build and strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Buffalo and to provide an opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs in the private or nonprofit space to connect and learn from one another. The gatherings are free and open to anyone who considers themselves an innovator, is curious about the innovation sector in Buffalo, as well as those who are in early stages of innovation and are looking for guidance, support, and fellowship.
The first in the series will be held on January 17th from 5 - 8 pm and will feature guest speaker Ashley Watson, founder of #REALTALKBRIDGES, a program focused on helping Buffalo youth (ages 13-24) prosper through the arts, education and self expression. In addition to Ms. Watson’s talk, there will be free food, a cash bar and attendees will have an opportunity to shop from small businesses and meet with nonprofits who are also focused on innovation and writing Buffalo’s next chapter of history.
According to Melissa Brown, executive director of The Buffalo History Museum, “Every day, Buffalonians continue to write our local history as they work to advance themselves and the Buffalo community. We have a strong history of innovation in this region going back more than a century and programs like B.I.G. help to highlight and support innovative work of today. We are delighted to host this program, both to provide the space to strengthen the innovation community, and to provide inspiration through the Museum’s many exhibits that showcase Buffalo’s contributions to innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship.”
The Museum’s education assistant, Jaylene Perez, who designed the B.I.G. program commented, "The Buffalo History Museum showcases Buffalo history, so I thought, why not bring attention to innovative individuals in Buffalo who are making history in our community right now? As an Afro-Latina woman myself, I especially want to showcase the Black and Brown innovators of Buffalo who may not usually get opportunities like this. Hopefully, it is a means to bring the community together and uplift one another."
The next program will be held at the Museum on March 15 and will feature a panel of female entrepreneurs in celebration of Women’s History Month led by Tesha Parker, founder of Rooted in Love along with her SheConnects co-founders Tina Anderson, Juweria Dahir, and Dottie Mayle. A celebratory, block party style event will take place in June to close the 2025 B.I.G. program.
The Buffalo History Museum has been Western New York's premier historical organization since 1862. We are the keepers of the authentic stories that make our community unique. Our collections, exhibits, and programs tell the stories of the people, events, and movements that demonstrate Western New York's essential place in shaping American history.