NYS 2021 Preservation Conference

Sankofa: Our Past is Everyone’s Future

The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor (“The Corridor”) was once filled with vibrant neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, historical markers, people and institutions. While the Corridor is still a multiracial community with rich black history, the community as a whole is largely disenfranchised from the City due to urban blight, urban renewal, and social equality. This presentation will focus on the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission’s efforts to establish a thriving future filled with historic tourism. The Commission has utilized a unique combination of grassroots efforts and state-level support to mobilize a community that gave up hope long ago and dare to imagine a better future for the Corridor. Presenters will discuss this unique method as a best practice model to build up an underserved community from within, with focus on community based engagement and promoting historic excellence.

Terry Alford | Executive Director, Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission

Terry Alford is the Executive Director of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission. Under Alford’s leadership, the Commission has seen immeasurable growth. With his guidance, the Corridor has launched the process to formulate a Strategic Action Plan, developed new partnerships, increased awareness on Corridor issues, and united the Cultural Anchors in ways that have never been accomplished.

Prior to his current role, Alford worked at Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research as its Community Relations Coordinator. He is active in several community groups including MANUP, Friends of the Columbia, and Preservation Buffalo Niagara. Alford has a BA in Sociology from SUNY Buffalo State College and a MAOL from Medaille College.

Lillie Wiley-Upshaw | Vice Chair, Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor; Chair, Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition

Lillie Wiley-Upshaw, proud mom to three teenagers, is the Chair of the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition, a nonprofit formed in 2001. The Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition gained ownership of the Michigan Street Baptist Church in 2014 and has been working tirelessly to find the funding to save the historic and sacred 175-year-old structure ever since.

Wiley-Upshaw also serves as Co-Chair of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission. Prior to her involvement in volunteer service, she worked at the University at Buffalo serving as the Vice Dean for Admissions at UB’s Law School for over 16 years and as the Vice Dean for Student Services. A graduate of Canisius College and Penn State, she grew-up in Lockport and always had a love of history.

Laura Quebral | Director, University at Buffalo Regional Institute

Laura Quebral is a planner, analyst, communications strategist, and fundraiser with deep experience in project management, grant writing, team construction, consensus building, and organizational development. She provides day-to-day leadership and management for UBRI as it engages in a range of highly-visible projects in regional economic development and sustainability.

Quebral is a project manager in partnership with the WNY Regional Economic Development Council and Empire State Development. Quebral ‘s leadership within the economic development arena advanced to spearheading the East Side Corridor Economic Development Plan and East Side Avenues, a place based economic growth initiative, in collaboration with several local foundations and corporations.