Since 1958, the African-American Cultural Center, Inc has enabled spirits to soar and offered sanctuary, validation and celebration for the duality of being African and American. African American Cultural Center was founded by Malcolm Erni, an evangelist with Caribbean roots who had a devout faith in the virtue of his ancestry. Born and raised in in Buffalo NY, Erni dreamed of a cultural and spiritual sanctuary where young people would learn that, God is a God of all races and ethnic group The first meetings of the African Cultural Center incorporated in the mid-60s as the African-American Cultural Center- were held on Friday and Saturday nights in a funeral home. Soon after, the group moved to the basement of a church near Glenwood Avenue, where drummer Oba-Ya began the first AACC drumming lessons. Infuriated, the clergy expelled Erni and his group in 1963. In 1964 the Center found a new home at 382 Wohlers Avenue, and opened The African Door, which was a coffeehouse that served herbal tea and provided a stage and audience for artistic director Ameer Al-Haqq. New York choreographer Oliver Jones, a student of Baba Olatunji, and choreographers Helena Walker and Benji Owala joined the staff during this era, and native Buffalonian Carl Tillman began teaching creative writing. James Pappas then a student at the University at Buffalo, later a founder of the Langston Hughes Center for the Visual and Performing Arts and now a professor in the UB College of Arts and Sciences - offered instruction in the fundamentals of design and form. Erni also put into place a choral workshop. Between 1966 and 1967 the Center moved to a Jefferson Avenue loft above a dentist office where the African drumming often competed with the drilling. At this home, model Helen Williams and renowned choreographer and folklorist Pearl Primus joined the AACC family, providing spiritual and cultural direction on a new level. Primus integrated Yoruba songs, dance, and principles into the Center's curriculum, and became a major influence in establishing of the Center's permanent home at 350 Masten Avenue. The AACC first occupied the Masten Avenue location, which was a former welding business, as a tenant, maintaining its programs on a monthly United Fund stipend. With an eye toward the long term viability of the institution, Erni and the board mounted a capital campaign to raise funds to purchase the property and achieve a degree of financial independence.Now under the guidance of Agnes M. Bain, African American Cultural Center continues to evolve in response to the changing landscape of real time and the future. Now under the guidance of Agnes M. Bain, African American Cultural Center conitinues to evolve in response to the changing landscape of real time and the future. It serves clientele ages six through senior throughout the city of Buffalo, and remains a sentinel to Malcolm founding vision. With a careful eye on meeting the contemporary needs of its users and patrons, its mission remains steadfast to the guiding principles and ancient rhythms of the ancestry it promotes and preserves. From the multi-disciplinary AACC Cultural Enrichment / Educational Directives for After School Program and Jumpin Jambalaya Summer Program, to the soul-stirring AACC Dance and Drum Performance Company ( its cornerstone component ), inspirational Paul Robeson Theatre and entertaining Pine Grill Jazz Reunion, the Center stands firmly committed to promoting a positive sense of self among the community it was founded to serve. Its programs and services are still structured to motivate personal growth, stimulate untapped potential and facilitate a better understanding of cultural diversity among all people. African American Cultural consists of five core components: the AACC Dance and Drum Performance Company, Paul Robeson Theatre at African American Cultural Center, Pine Grill Jazz Reunion, Jumpin Jambalaya Summer Program, and the AACC Cultural Enrichment/Educational Directi
Forest Lawn has been in the cemetery industry since 1850. Our facilities are impeccably designed to offer a comfortable space for burial. You can enjoy the grounds at the time of burial and anytime following. You can come to the setting to read a book, place flowers on the graves, or feel the connection with the loved ones in your life who have passed on before you. The not-for-profit cemetery serves families from all walks of life, making it clear that everyone who walks through the gates feels at ease and welcome. Forest Lawn is available for tours at any time. Visit them at 1990 Main St Buffalo, NY 14208. You can call to schedule an appointment at (716) 309-4513.
There a several structures located in the city of Buffalo designed by noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright. While all of these were built during Wright's lifetime, there is actually one that was built several decades after the architect's death in 1959. The Blue Sky Mausoleum in Forest Lawn Cemetery, which was completed in 2004, was originally designed for the Darwin Martin family by Wright. However, after Martin lost his fortune in the 1929 stock market crash, the plans were shelved until the 1990s, when the president of Forest Lawn learned about the design, and an effort was made to raise funds to complete it. Burial vaults are available for purchase in this exclusive mausoleum.
The Buffalo Religious Arts Center is a facility that strives to preserve and protect the religious objects and memorabilia that was once in use. The arts center collects artifacts that were a part of closed churches and preserves them. Guided tours of the facility are available for visitors. A visit to this place will enrich your knowledge about the religious history of Buffalo and neighboring areas. The facility is also available on rental basis for weddings.
If you are in Buffalo, you surely can't miss one of the most popular national landmarks, Temple Beth Zion. This oldest biggest reform congregation has been a magnificent house of worship since 1850. The original stained glass windows and the large pipe organ in its balcony marks the unique entity of this architectural splendor. This whole edifice comprises of a Sanctuary, Sisterhood Chapel, the Benjamin and Dr. Edgar R. Cofeld Judaic Museum, Rabbi Joseph L. Fink Auditorium, Sisterhood Judaica Shop, board room, meeting spaces and offices. All in all, this place serves to foster humanity and reunite country men.
