Welcome

“My annual Summer Youth Internship Program is critically important to our continued effort to ensure that our young people have productive, healthy options for summer activities that prepare them for the jobs of the future,” said Mayor Brown.  “This program matches youth with area employers in their field of interest and also provides work-readiness training jobs to further prepare our young people.  Today I invite private sector companies to join our effort by providing additional employment opportunities to Buffalo teens.”

Today’s kick-off was held at Burgard Vocational High School, a fitting location because last summer the city teamed up with a number of partners, including BPS, NYS and Alfred State College, to create a new manufacturing program at Burgard as part of our strategic plan to better align Buffalo’s workforce/education system with industry needs and to enhance diversity in our workforce.  Burgard now serves as a pipeline of well-educated and well trained workers for advanced manufacturing careers in auto technology, welding and machine tool technology.

Private sector businesses can participate in the Mayor’s Summer Internship Program by hiring youth who have submitted applications with the Mayor’s Program. Those businesses that hire city youth may also be eligible for tax credits. If a business or any individual would like to sponsor a youth for the summer employment opportunity, they may do so through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance Buffalo. Not-for-profit and Community based organizations can also participate by providing a structured and supervised work environment for the summer and, through sponsorship and donations, the City of Buffalo will subsidize the wages of youth employed in these areas.

Young people between the ages of 14-21 will be employed for 6 weeks in the summer with the majority working from July 6-August 14, 2015 earning $8.75 per hour. Each participant will be screened, assessed and receive training in the following areas: job readiness, life skills and financial literacy.  The City of Buffalo’s Division for Youth will provide youth counselors who will serve as monitors and provide program support for everyone participating in the Program. College Students are encouraged to apply as the demand is great for college age interns.

“We know many young people experience high unemployment and my administration takes this challenge very seriously,” said Mayor Brown, noting that his program has provided over 20,000 employment opportunities to youth since 2006.  “This year, we will continue to offer meaningful employment to city youth by adding funding for an additional 50 positions for at-risk youth, increasing the city’s summer youth workforce to 1,450.”

Buffalo Youth interested in applying for Summer Jobs can download an application at www.city-buffalo.com or pick one up at Buffalo City Hall in room 1701. Mayor Brown’s Summer Youth Applications must be returned by Friday, May 1, 2015.

To be eligible for this program you must be a City of Buffalo resident between the ages of 14 and 21 and you must turn age 14 by May 1, 2015

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Mayor Brown Issues Nine Awards During Black History Month Celebration

February 23, 2015 - Today, in recognition of the 100th celebration of Black History Month, Mayor Byron Brown honored several individuals and organizations at the annual City Hall Black History Month program. This year awards were presented in arts and culture, education, healthcare, armed services and more.

“Today’s honorees not only represent the past but the future of our city and our nation, said Mayor Brown. “This year we are recognizing an array of individuals who have worked and are working to shape the future of our city.”

Harvard educated historian, Carter G. Woodson, began to recognize the contributions of Black people in America in 1915, eventually establishing Negro History week in 1926 to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Negro History Week would evolve into Black History Month in 1976 under President Gerald R. Ford.

Every year, the city presents a theme for the Black History Month program, a theme that complements the national theme for Black History Month. This year’s theme: A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.

This year’s categories and honorees are:

Mayor Brown Highlights Buffalo 2015:  Building A City Of opportunity In State Of The City Address

February 20, 2015 - Mayor Byron W. Brown today delivered his 2015 State of the City Address at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.  Joined by business, civic and community leaders, Mayor Brown outlined his goal of building a city of opportunity through a series of new strategic investments to keep Buffalo competitive for business growth and attractive for residents and visitors by further strengthening neighborhoods, parks, youth initiatives, education, arts and wellness citywide, as part of a community-wide plan that will move the city toward the goal of shared prosperity for all residents.  He also announced his role as a founding member of a new group called the “Racial Equity Roundtable” and encouraged individuals and organizations to sign the new ‘Buffalo Opportunity Pledge’ at www.city-buffalo.com/buffaloopportunitypledge.

  “The State of our City is strong and continues to grow stronger every day, however we must keep the engine of opportunity going by building a city of opportunity for everyone,” said Mayor Brown.   “With significant investment and job growth underway in Buffalo, we have a unique opportunity to change this city for the better to ensure that every city resident shares in our rising prosperity. To accelerate Buffalo’s growth and create new opportunities for all, we must foster a community wide mindset that embraces diversity and inclusion as core values and strengths.”

Mayor Brown continued, “My vision has always been to make sure that every city resident – every business owner – knows they can succeed and participate in our city’s remarkable revival.  This year, my administration and the Buffalo Common Council will continue to work closely on issues of diversity and inclusion, along with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and two dozen community and civic leaders, as part of the newly announced ‘Racial Equity Roundtable’.”

Mayor Brown’s tenth State of the City address contained a number of announcements, including:  Read More...

Mayor Brown Announces Challenge To Game Developers, Designers, And Technology Enthusiasts To Design A Buffalo Video Game That Teaches Employable Skills

February 18, 2015 - Mayor Byron Brown announces Buffalo’s Serious Game Design Competition and encourages those interested in entering the competition to start working now