It is that time of year in Buffalo. Spring is finally here, and so are the Food Trucks! They are ready to serve you lunch all spring and summer long. The trucks will be parked in the Pocket Park at 589 Ellicott on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus from 11:30 a.m. to noon every Tuesday through Friday. The August schedule is below. We look forward to seeing you here!
It was great to see everyone at Buffalo Bike To Work Day @ BNMC yesterday. The sun was shining, the coffee was good, and the energy was amazing. Congratulations to our friends at NFTA, winners of the 2026 Bike Battle for the most miles travelled using sustainable transportation options during the month of May.
Thanks to Evolve Fitness, Go Buffalo Niagara, Go Bike, and Reddy Bikeshare for making the event extra special. Here are a few photos to enjoy. Happy biking all summer long, Buffalo!
Thanks to all who joined us for Campus Connect yesterday evening. It was a fun time and great to see so many of you from our campus community! The puppies from Queen City Pitties came to say hi, and our friends from Jack Rabbit served some delicious food and drinks. Special shoutout to Shared Mobility, Inc., Reddy Bikeshare, and GoBuffalo Niagara. You guys are the best.
We can’t wait to see you again on the last Thursday of June and all summer long.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) is proud to announce Community Connections Day, presented by Community Bank, a free, family-friendly event designed to connect residents with vital health resources, wellness programming, and community services—all in one place.
Taking place on Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Community Connections Day invites neighbors from across Buffalo to learn, taste, and connect through a dynamic lineup of interactive experiences.
Attendees will enjoy:
“This event reflects BNMC’s commitment to building a healthier, more connected community,” said Beth Machnica, Director of Health and Well-Being. “Community Connections Day is about breaking down barriers—making it easier for individuals and families to access the resources they need to live well.”
Open to the public and free of charge, the event aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where community members can engage directly with organizations, providers, and programs that support overall well-being. Lunch will be provided, and registration is encouraged but not required.
Community Connections Day is part of BNMC’s broader mission to foster a vibrant, collaborative ecosystem that advances health, innovation, and opportunity for all residents of Western New York.
Event Details
What: BNMC Community Connections Day
When: Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 955 Main Street
Cost: Free and open to the public
About Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
BNMC brings people together to create positive social and economic impact within our community. We manage the premier innovation district and economic engine of WNY, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and are building an innovation ecosystem that focuses on breaking down barriers to a higher quality of life for all in our region. Today, we manage a 120+ acre urban innovation district that is home to over 200 public and private companies with over 16,000 employees, which brings 1.5 million patients and visitors annually to our Buffalo district. www.bnmc.org.
The BNMC Transportation team hosted an NFTA 101 Lunch and Learn session at Canisius University to present the wide array of transportation options offered by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to students and the wider community.
The program was made possible through our partnership with Clean Mobility Buffalo.
Thank you to our knowledgeable presenters from the Center for Self Advocacy! Check out everything you need to know to get started taking the train or bus. Explore your options for paying fare to figuring out your route, and what to do when you get to your stop.
The sunshine arrived just in time, and it was all smiles at Happy Campus, July edition. Thanks to all who shopped in the market, enjoyed the delicious food from Half Luna Empanadas and Chef Paolo Bettini, and drinks from Jack Rabbit—special thanks to Scoop Shop Consignment, Bee Sweet Cup Cakery, Awesome Paws Animal Rescue, and our amazing musical guests Wind and Wire. We had a great night! Here’s a photo gallery for your enjoyment. We can’t wait to do it again in August!
Thanks to all the people and puppies that joined us for our Happy Campus Happy Hour event yesterday evening. Special thanks to Fattey Beer Co., Second Chapter Bookstore, MenalynSkyn Co., Collegiate Village, and last but by no means least, the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. The puppies made our night! Here are a few photos of the fun and festivities.
Thanks to everyone who came out for Buffalo Bike to Work Day @ BNMC and joined us for Breakfast in the Pocket Park. It was great to see you all! What a fun and energizing start to the day! Special thanks go to GOBike, Reddy Bikeshare, Independent Health, NFTA, Unapolegitic Coffee, and Evolve Fitness, who joined to celebrate with us.
For lunch, we enjoyed a lunchtime ride to @GOBike over on Broadway. Here are a few photos of the events. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our Happy Campus event last night! Beautiful weather joined us for the evening too, and a great time was had by all.
Special thanks to Fattey Beer Co, and all of our vendors in food, fashion, olive oils, and Bee Sweet Desserts.
Stay tuned for news about the next one on the last Thursday of June, and we will see you at the same time, same place for another great evening.
Welcome to Buffalo Spring and Food Trucks 2025! Beginning May 1st, lunch will be available every Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pocket Park at 589 Ellicott. The schedule for the month of May is below, and we look forward to seeing everyone! On Tuesdays, Dimples Pancakes will be serving breakfast from 9 am – 1 pm.
BNMC’s Health and Well-Being team announced a full schedule of programs for all to enjoy this year. There will be an array of fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, guided walks, workshops, and more.
Beginning this month, and continuing throughout the year, fitness classes will take place every Wednesday from 5 – 6 pm at the Innovation Center at 640 Ellicott. Sessions include yoga, a fitness boot camp, dance therapy, and cross-training. Once spring arrives, classes will move outside to the Pocket Park at 589 Ellicott.
The team will also host a series of workshops focused on nutrition, mental health, cooking demonstrations, and guided walks on Campus throughout the summer months. Workshops are monthly from 12 – 1 pm in the Innovation Center.
All programs are free and for everyone, regardless of fitness level or experience. You can download the full calendar here.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the BNMC Block Party at Kaminski Park yesterday! The weather was beautiful and gave us the perfect backdrop to come together, eat, laugh, and dance.
Thanks also to our amazing partners and collaborators who made it all happen.
Special thanks to NFTA, the Buffalo AKG, and all the amazing vendors who came to showcase their businesses and work in our community. Here’s a photo gallery by photographer Jean Rios to enjoy!
Thanks to everyone who came to support our entrepreneurs on May 28 at IC Success Pitch Night. We heard from some outstanding business owners who all impressed our distinguished panel of judges. We witnessed some remarkable ingenuity and talent in owners developing innovative small businesses that meet the needs of our community and consistently exceed their customers’ expectations. Congratulations to each and every one of them.
We were proud to award seed funding to three deserving businesses. Jada Ivey from XIIXXI (1221) Clothing Sustainability took first place, Shanika Mcknight from Blended Seasons LLC took second place, and Britany McCants from Fidelis Mobility LLC was awarded third place.
At the end of the evening, we had a special surprise for all of our guests, former IC Success Alumnus and poet Jillian Hanesworth of Literary Freedom, LLC, showed everyone her recent Emmy award received for her outstanding film: Choose Love: Buffalo Bills Honor East Buffalo. You can learn more about Jillian and her project here.
Special thanks to our photographer, Pat Cray @yungpainkiller.
At BNMC we are building an Innovation Community where everyone can access great programming and the resources all entrepreneurs need to start or grow their businesses.
To date, BNMC has supported over 500 entrepreneurs, graduated 200 companies from their programs, and engaged more than 1,000 volunteers and supporters championing this effort.
The Independent Health Foundation is hosting Healthy Options Restaurant Week, which runs March 4 – 10.
Restaurants across Western New York are taking part in this week’s event.
Select menu items at participating restaurants have been analyzed by a registered dietitian from the Independent Health Foundation to meet Healthy Options standards for calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium.
“For two decades, the Healthy Options Buffalo program has helped the community make informed choices about healthy eating and we’re excited to once again highlight that work through Healthy Options Restaurant Week,” said Carrie Meyer, executive director of the Independent Health Foundation. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for families to try a healthy spin on their favorite foods – like grilled cheese, burgers, and pizza. We hope it will show people there’s no need to sacrifice flavor and fun when dining out.”
Participating restaurants include Avenue 29 Foods, Bratts Hill, Buffalo Plant Veggie Burgers, Carine’s Caribbean Cuisine, CEOKitchen, The Cheesy Chick, Fresh Catch Poke, Giacobbi’s Cucina Citta, Green Eats Kitchen and Juice Bar, Mario’s Bistro and Brews, Mister Pizza Elmwood, New Jewel of India, Sto Lat Bar, Sunshine Vegan Eats, and Undergrounds Coffee House & Roastery.
“As research continues to show evidence of the impact of food and diet on health outcomes, we are proud to work with community-based partners, like the Independent Health Foundation, to create educational resources about, and access to, nutritious meal options,” said Beth Machnica, director of Health & Well-Being for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. “We hope Healthy Options Restaurant Week serves as a catalyst for Western New Yorkers to learn that it is possible to nourish yourself with tasty, healthy food and enjoy local restaurants.”
For more details, visit healthyoptionsbuffalo.com/restaurantweek.
Monday, March 4 – Sunday, March 10.
Calling all restaurants! Share your healthy food with our community!
The Independent Health Foundation, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Appetit, and the Buffalo Urban League are excited to bring Healthy Options Restaurant Week to Buffalo! This spring, we
are encouraging our community to visit new restaurants and taste all the healthy food that Western New York has to offer.
Each vendor will be asked to serve one “Healthy Option” menu item, including an appetizer,
entree, and an optional dessert. If you don’t currently offer a healthy option, we will work with you to find an option that fits your menu! The Healthy Options Restaurant Week runs from Monday, March 4 to Sunday, March 10.
More information can be found here, and at the Healthy Options Website here. You can also email info@healthyoptionsbuffalo.com.
Buffalo, New York – Buffalo All Access: In and around BNMC, a new initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) under the ITS4US Deployment Program, will use technology to improve transportation options for travelers in and around the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), regardless of ability, age, or income. The initiative aims to make it easier for people of all abilities to utilize public transit and access the many essential services and destinations on and around the medical campus. The initiative focuses on providing:
The project is led by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) in partnership with BNMC, the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC), the University at Buffalo (UB), City of Buffalo, NITTEC, Kaleida Health, Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, VIA, Heart of the City Neighborhoods, and FruitBelt Coalition, Inc. aka Fruit of the City. Consultant partners on the project include ICF, ETCH, RSG, and the Open Doors Organization. The project team has just produced an overview video that showcases more details about this project. For more information, please watch the video on the website (https://bnmc.org/allaccess/).
Speaking about the project, Jamie Hamann-Burney, Director of Planning & Implementation for BNMC, said: “The lack of safe and inclusive trip planning and travel options for people of all abilities can be a major barrier to employment, healthcare, and other quality of life essentials in our community. We’re thrilled to be a part of this initiative that will help break down these barriers.”
The ITS4US Deployment Program (https://its.dot.gov/its4us/) is a $40 million multimodal effort, led by the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Joint Program Office (JPO) and supported by the Office of the Secretary, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration, to identify ways to provide more efficient, affordable, and accessible transportation options for underserved communities that often face greater challenges in accessing essential services.
The U.S. DOT launched Phase 1 of the program in January 2021 and supported the concept development efforts of select sites, including Buffalo All Access. In June 2022, Buffalo All Access was selected to continue Phases 2 and 3 of the program, which includes the design, testing, operation, and evaluation of the deployment.
About Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
For more than twenty years, The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus organization (BNMC) has been a driving force of Buffalo’s economic renaissance. Throughout its management of the growth of Buffalo’s premier innovation district, the BNMC has foregrounded smart economic, social, and environmental development, prioritizing health & well-being and sustainability. Today, the BNMC is focused on the next phase of Buffalo’s ongoing resurgence, cultivating inclusive innovation in partnership with our community. BNMC launched its flagship program, IC Success in 2021 to provide support to aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to help them start or grow a business. Program graduates form the heart of Buffalo’s growing Innovation Community comprised of businesses large and small in an array of disciplines and leading the region’s next wave of economic development and growth. BNMC www.bnmc.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Adriana Viverette
Digital Communications Manager
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
640 Ellicott, Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 348-4126 aviverette@bnmc.org
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| First-of-its-kind free initiative connects business owners with mentors and marketplaces April 1, 2023. BUFFALO NY– The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) is pleased to announce the launch of IC Success—a free, year-long program to connect historically marginalized, early-stage entrepreneurs with mentors, marketplaces, and other resources. IC Success provides new and early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses—all at no cost. Entrepreneurs who are accepted into IC success receive full access to the business accelerator program, extensive mentoring from business experts, access to connections and customers throughout the downtown medical campus (where 17,000-plus people work), and semi-annual pitch contests where entrepreneurs can earn seed funding. “We’re here to connect people,” said Juweria Dahir (pictured above), who has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and business owners as BNMC’s Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “For too long, people in historically marginalized and underserved communities have not had equal access to mentors, funding, and other resources—even though they have brilliant ideas and have proven to be amazing businesspeople. Creating these integrated networks eliminates many of the barriers for these entrepreneurs.” A cohort comprised of 15 talented Buffalo entrepreneurs began the IC Success business accelerator program in January. This intensive 10-week program provides classes on all aspects of running a business, including finance, law, accounting, and marketing. In addition, each participant is matched with three mentors who support entrepreneurs throughout the program, and beyond. Shéquanda Long, the founder of the educational resource company Teacher Tidbits, is one of the entrepreneurs in the spring 2023 class. “Through IC Success, I’ve met with mentors who are helping me create new products, focus my marketing, and get in front of new customers,” said Long. “It’s truly a game-changer.”[GU1] [MM2] Underrepresented entrepreneurs face unique obstacles. For example, Black business owners who apply for funding were three times more likely to be rejected by banks than white business owners, according to a report from Goldman Sachs. “We started this program because there are entrepreneurs all over Buffalo who still don’t feel welcome in the flourishing startup ecosystem here—especially people of color and women, who often face discrimination and other obstacles when building a business,” said Matt Enstice, President of BNMC. “By purposefully integrating networks—and caring for those connections on a long-term basis—we can help communities grow from within, driving the next wave of our region’s economic development.” IC Success is the latest equity-focused program from BNMC, which has helped drive economic growth and development for more than 20 years. IC Success, which stands for Innovation Community Success, replaces EforAll, a national program that recently left the Buffalo market. Contact: Maria Morreale Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. Innovation Center at 640 Ellicott St. | Buffalo, NY 14203 C 716.866.7344 | Mmorreale@BNMC.org About Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus For more than twenty years, The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus organization (BNMC) has been a driving force in Buffalo’s economic renaissance. Throughout its management of the growth of Buffalo’s premier innovation district, the BNMC has foregrounded smart economic, social, and environmental development, prioritizing health & well-being, and sustainability. Today, the BNMC is focused on the next phase of Buffalo’s ongoing resurgence, cultivating inclusive innovation in partnership with our community, launching the IC Success[GU5] (Innovation Community Success) program to support aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to help them start or grow a business. Program graduates will form the heart of Buffalo’s growing Innovation Community comprised of businesses large and small in an array of disciplines and leading the region’s next wave of economic development and growth. www.bnmc.org |
A powerful opinion piece by Kyria Stephens, Director of Inclusion & Community Initiatives, was recently selected for publication in a new e-book compilation, Resilience Matters: Collective Action for Healthier Communities.
The essay, “People in need don’t want your pity,” explains why we need to rethink how we think about charity. As Stephens explains, people in need do not want pity; they need “solidarity, respect, and loving support.” These people are teachers, professors, CEOs, police officers, nurses, and artists. They save lives, drive the economy, and create culture. And they are successful, notes Stephens, “in spite of the obstacles placed (often intentionally) in our path.” By sharing time and resources, says Stephens, “you are not simply helping the less fortunate—you are nurturing the powerful.”
As a well-known speaker and thought leader on diversity and inclusion, Stephens is glad to see his message being shared with an even wider audience. “This is such an important time in our history,” said Stephens. “It’s going to take all of us, working together, to build a more equitable future. We must be detailed and strategic in how we move forward.”
At the BNMC, Stephens helps promote collaboration and inclusivity throughout the organization and community. His efforts have helped establish the BNMC as a regional and national model for diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Resilience Matters, published by the Island Press Urban Resilience Project, features contributions from dozens of leading authors, and is available for free online thanks to grant support from the Kresge and JPB Foundations.
Island Press is a well-known publisher of critical ideas on both the natural and built environment. In 2022, they published City Forward: How Innovation Districts Can Embrace Risk and Strengthen Community, which highlighted the BNMC’s commitment to equity.
Left: Hervé Tullet, Traits points taches giboullage (Lines dots stains scribbles), is located at 847 Main
Continuous Improvements Make the Campus a Destination, a Resource, and a Connector for All in Western New York.
BNMC Inc, the organization that operates the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and its innovation community, recently announced a range of initiatives to enhance the safety and beauty of the Campus.
In collaboration with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, BNMC has added three striking new murals to the area by internationally renowned artist Hervé Tullet and celebrated local artists Muhammad Zaman and Ashley Johnson. The Zaman and Johnson murals are being incorporated into pedestrian safety improvements along Ellicott Street that BNMC worked with GObike to implement. The BNMC will seek to expand its public art program and safety initiatives throughout the area in the coming years.
Jamie Hamann Burney, Director of Campus Planning and Implementation said, “Our Campus is a magnet for innovators, researchers, and healthcare workers, and sees over 1.5M patients and visitors every year. We’re also part of a larger surrounding community and we strive to create places where everyone can gather and connect in a safe environment. Bringing great art to the Campus all the while making it safer for all who rely on its resources is a win-win for everyone. Look for more exciting projects coming soon.”
This year’s largest mural is by the internationally renowned artist, performer, and beloved children’s book author Hervé Tullet, and was executed in tandem with his largest exhibition to date, Shape and Color, which was on view at Abright-Knox Northland this summer. The BNMC mural, entitled Traits points taches giboullage (Lines dots stains scribbles), is located at 847 Main Street and is the second-ever public mural by the artist. The site was selected in part because it will live on the Campus, a site for healing, but also because of the many diverse cultural activities that BNMC champions and supports. The artist’s design is based on original works that were included in the AK Northland exhibition. The mural outline was printed on polytab, a mobile and flexible non-woven fabric, and completed at Buffalo Arts Studio by Jump Start program students who learned Tullet’s techniques that allowed them to complete the mural while also helping them develop their own portfolios as they contributed to the production of a major work of public art.
In addition, two other new murals have been added to the Campus. These murals serve not only to beautify the area and highlight the voices of leading local artists, but also to improve crosswalk and intersection safety. They have been produced in collaboration with GObike Buffalo and the Albright-Knox, with funding support from the Ralph Wilson Foundation and the University at Buffalo. Christina Orsi, Associate Vice President for Economic Development at UB said “We are thrilled to continue to support improvements that make the BNMC campus a leading destination for our community of innovators. Together, we forge greater connections with the surrounding community in a place where our differences become our strengths to enable lasting impressions and impacts in Western New York and beyond.”
Ashley Johnson’s work at Ellicott and Virginia Streets
Let’s Walk Together (detail), Muhammad Zaman at the Innovation Center
The murals are designed by artists Ashley Johnson and Muhammad Zaman. Johnson and Zaman working at 640 Ellicott Street and the intersection of Ellicott and Virginia Streets respectively, have each wp-contentlied their signature styles to the spaces.
Walk Together is an abstract work by Zaman at the crosswalk and pathway to the BNMC’s Innovation Center at 640 Ellicott. It is based on the concept that sharing a path together connects people to one another, echoing the importance of the connections made in the building and throughout the Campus community every day.
Artist Ashley Johnson is working on an abstract design on Ellicott and Virginia that evokes BNMC’s role in leveraging economic development on the Campus for the benefit of the overall community. With shape and color, the work explores the connectivity and interrelationships that make communities thrive.
“Through our Healthy Streets Initiative, we have been able to work with institutions and residents across the city to inexpensively develop temporary traffic calming solutions to immediately address safety needs,” said Justin Booth, Executive Director for GObike Buffalo. “We were hwp-contenty to partner with the BNMC and Albright-Knox to deliver this innovative project to do more than improve safety but beautify our city while doing so.”
The BNMC also worked closely with the City of Buffalo to plan and implement additional complete street improvements on the Campus this year. The City reconstructed Virginia and Burton Streets, widening the sidewalks, adding bike lanes, and installing mid-block pedestrian crossings on both Washington and Ellicott Streets.
When: Thursday, October 21st from 4:30 to 7 PM.
Where: The Lot at 589 Ellicott.
Space is limited for this free event, so pre-registration will be required.
Stop by and say hi!
On September 30, BNMC will present a second special pop-up event and we invite you to join us. We’ll be transforming the parking lot at 589 Ellicott into an outdoor beer garden and we’ll gather for some food and exceptional brews provided by our friends at Big Ditch. The Leroy Towns Band will provide the tunes.
When: Thursday, September 30 from 4:30 to 7 PM.
Where: The Lot at 589 Ellicott.
Space is limited for this free event, so pre-registration will be required.
Stop by and say hi!
Welcome to summer 2021! After everything we have been through this past year, we are delighted to invite you to join our BNMC Summer of Wellness, our healthy, fun program of events and hwp-contentenings that will help all of us reinvigorate and recharge. We have an array of events that will allow us to safely gather together to bike, walk, or practice restorative yoga. Join us for one, for some, or for all. These programs are open FREE to all who live and work in our community and on our campus. They will be safely socially distant, and facemasks are recommended. You can register for everything here. Here’s what’s on the schedule this year:
Special thanks to our event partners, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Once again this year, every Monday – Friday during the summer we will feature a variety of Buffalo’s best food truck vendors. The trucks will be located on the lawn at the corner of Washington and Carlton Streets. Lunch begins at 11:30 am every day and runs until 2 pm.
Here’s what’s on the menu for 2021:
Masks and social distancing will be required to ensure a healthy and safe environment for everyone.
