BUFFALO, N.Y. — It has been nearly one year since 10 people were killed and three others injured when a shooter, motivated by racial hatred, went on a rampage at the Tops grocery store on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo.  

Since that day, the family of Ruth Whitfield, one of the victims who lost their lives, has made it a mission to talk openly about racism, white supremacy and historic issues still prevalent today. They're preparing to host a conference on many of those tough topics and kick off educational programming meant to spark change.

Ruth Whitfield was the center of her family — a mother, wife and caregiver who was tragically killed by a racist shooter while shopping at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022. 

"If you just think about our mom, what would she do if it happened to one of us?" asked Raymond Whitfield. "She would definitely stand up. She would not be quiet."

Raymond and Garnell Whitfield are two of Ruth’s four children. Still grieving the loss of their mother, the family has spent much of the last year using their voices to say enough is enough when it comes to bigotry, racism and discrimination in our society and what made East Buffalo a target.

"We have to have some very hard discussions and conversations about how we got here, why are we in this situation that we’re in and how do we get out of these difficult times?" asked Garnell.

With their mother’s legacy in their hearts and heads, their mission is to tackle hate by talking about those issues openly and promoting change. They’ve called it the Pursuit of Ruth. It begins with a three-day conference and launch gala at SUNY Buffalo State and the Buffalo History Museum from April 20-22.

"We have to stand up now," said Garnell. "This whole passive way of addressing this, going through the system and all of that is not working, so we have to have some new strategies and tactics."

Guest speakers will include civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, noted academic leaders in journalism and Africana studies, as well as the United Nations special adviser on the prevention of genocide.

"She has recognized that this is a preamble to genocide," said Raymond. "When you attack a community — innocent people — what you’re really saying is they don’t have a right to exist. That’s genocide."

Education is also key to the Whitfields' mission, so they’re working with Buffalo State University to help future teachers pass down critical lessons to their future students.

"We’re going to try to develop curriculum and programming that will disseminate accurate historical, culturally-sensitive and socially-relevant information to our community," Garnell said.

The events will include a panel of children expressing their grief after the tragedy of May 14, as the Whitfields try to shine a light on their own community and issues affecting so many people across the globe.

"Hate is expressed all over the world, unfortunately, and that’s what we’re trying to do — counter hate, combat hate," said Raymond.

It's all inspired by the love of their mother.

New York state Attorney General Leticia James will also have a video message at the conference along with guest speakers and panel discussions.

To purchase tickets for the event, click here.