BUFFALO, N.Y. — "It's very important that these structures, that these anchors, are stabilized and improved upon. Namely, in homage to such things as Black History Month that really allows us to celebrate the past, but to also look to the future," said Terry Alford, African American Heritage Corridor Commission executive director.

A portion of the funds in Governor Cuomo's Buffalo Billion Investment Development Plan are going toward stabilization and expansion work at the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor. This is a landmark where people learn about Buffalo's African American history.

"This past month, we lost two huge figures in our community, two iconic champions in the guise of George K. Arthur and Bishop William Henderson who before all of this was vogue…history, saving and preserving history. They were really at the forefront of championing and rallying the community around the notion of preservation," explained Alford. 

He said that Buffalo political leader George Arthur and activist and faith leader Bishop William Henderson knew the importance of preserving history. They wanted future generations to know about where they came from.

"Three of our cultural anchors…this includes the Nash House, the Colored Musicians Club and Museum, and of course the Michigan Street Baptist Church. Those spaces have their own improvement money and with that, they all use that money to get their own designers and architects to help stabilize and expand upon their existing properties," added Alford. 

That way, decades from now, people can visit the Corridor's structures and continue learning about African American history. The pandemic has slowed down some of the plans to expand the visitors' experience; however, groundbreaking for that work is estimated to take place this spring.