Forum to Explore Art of Advocacy

Buffalo State will host a forum featuring five local advocacy leaders on Tuesday, November 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penny Art Center auditorium. It is free and open to the public. 

Howard Zemsky, managing partner of the Larkin Development Group and chair of the Buffalo State College Council, will moderate the forum.

The panelists are Tim Tielman, director, Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture, and Culture; Eric Walker, energy democracy fellow, the Center for Social Inclusion; Patricia Jones, executive board chair, Pride Center of Western New York; Stephanie Geter, president, Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayers Association; and Ba Zan Lin, peace advocate for Burma and Buffalo State graduate student.

Each panelist has extensive experience in effecting community change that they will discuss. They have defended civil liberties, saved neighborhoods, and helped pass legislation.

For instance Ba Zan will discuss the Burmese community in Buffalo and his experiences in the Burma conflict.

"I earnestly strive to empower my constituents to become active citizens in their own communities because I firmly believe that without grassroots community efforts and fully informed civic societies, social injustices will always prevail, not just in the United States, but all over the world," Ban Zan said.

The event is sponsored by Buffalo State’s Political Science Department, Student Political Society, School of Natural and Social Sciences, School of the Professions, and the Change Leadership Collaborative.