Masked male walks in front of Black Lives Matter sign

Social Justice at Buffalo State

At Buffalo State, we believe that social justice is the undeniable human right to dignity, equity, and full participation in society.

Social Justice-Focused Programming, Support

Anne Frank Project "Ideas + Action = Justice" poster

Anne Frank Project

AFP celebrates positive innovations in the face of adversity. The festival provides multidisciplinary workshops and artworks that teach the tools and vocabulary to tell stories in challenging times to inspire hope and build strong, safe communities.

Anne Frank Project Website
Man in front of a voting sign

Beyond Boundaries

Film series organized around categories of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and abilities, with an emphasis on intersectionality.

Beyond Boundaries Schedule
Group of students at the annual Anne Frank Project social justice festival

Center for Social Justice

The CSJ develops social justice change agents who boldly transform the campus, the community, and the world.

Buffalo State students in front of Elmwood Village mural

Civic and Community Engagement Office

The Civic and Community Engagement Office advances the urban-engaged anchor mission of Buffalo State by providing curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities, developing civic skills, and building reciprocal community partnerships that promote equity and address community-identified priorities. 

Civic and Community Engagement Office Website
A group of hands together

Community Circles

A restorative justice framework that provides space for discussion, action planning, and addressing harm at the group and individual levels. The circles are facilitated by a wide variety of faculty and staff members on campus and from the greater Buffalo community.

Restorative Justice Website
Adviser and students at table

Community Academic Center

Located on Buffalo's Grant Street near campus, the CAC provides consistent support and programming for community members of all ages.

CAC Programs
Michael Heflin

Conversations with 'Hef' 

Michael 'Hef' Heflin, assistant dean of Inclusion and Equity, hosts monthly conversations on topics including justice concerns and the Black experience in America.

Inclusion and Equity Office
Sawubona

Sawubona Healing Group

Healing Space for Black Students

  • Take reprieve from and process racial trauma with culturally affirming activities!
  • Learn to understand and navigate microaggressions, code-switching, stereotyping, imposter syndrome, and more.
  • Explore Black self-worth and acceptance and Black Triumph and joy!

Meets every Thursday, 12:30–2:00 p.m. in Weigel Health Center 203

Register
Weigel Health Center

Weigel Wellness Programs

The Weigel Wellness Center’s Counseling Office has developed specializing support groups and workshops to assist students who have been affected by systemic racism. Students can contact Weigel Wellness at (716) 878-6711.

Counseling Center Weigel Wellness Center
Center for Social Justice report cover
Read Our Report

55%

of our undergraduates are African American, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial.

8

Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) awards

3

New faculty from SUNY’s Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Growth (PRODI-G) initiative.

2019

Bachelor's in Africana Studies launched.

34th

In U.S. News & World Report Social Mobility Category

Social Justice Videos
  • Black Women are America's Superheros
  • Activist and Sociology Graduate Avery Edwards, '18

Revived Africana studies major brings “the other half of the story” back to Buffalo State

The Africana studies major now gives students the opportunity to examine the contributions of African nations and the African diaspora to the global community. The new program is composed of 14 courses in political science, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, and English, including African American Literature to 1940, the Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Race and Progress, and Hip-Hop Culture.

Photo: Courtesy Kyle S. Mackie, WBFO News

Podcast and Story
Africana Studies Faculty