Steering Committee
By design, the community will play an important role in how the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund identifies and addresses critical issues that have led to historic disinvestment and that have contributed to racial inequities in East Buffalo.
Two community leaders with deep ties to the community will lead the effort to focus on accelerating the revitalization of East Buffalo by addressing economic and racial inequities through a community-informed process resulting in a long-term investment plan. A steering committee made up of community members and those with expertise in key areas will begin to determine the next steps and to develop an action plan for the funds that have been raised thus far.
Our co-chairs

Dr. LaVonne E. Ansari, PhD, is chief executive officer and executive director of the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving over 20,000 patients annually in Erie and Niagara counties.
She is an experienced educator, administrator, and manager with over 20 years of experience in equity and diversity, workforce development, higher education, and community-based healthcare and hospital administration. She is deeply involved in the community, serving as an advisory board member of the University of Buffalo Education Opportunity Center and a commissioner on the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). She also served as statewide chairperson for the Community Health Center Association of New York State, part of a national health advocacy group. Dr. Ansari recently participated as a panelist in the United We Stand Summit at the White House in recognition of her community service and her ongoing leadership following the 5/14 massacre.
Dr. Ansari holds a bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Brockport State College, a master’s degree in multidisciplinary studies from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, and a PhD in sociology of education from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She also received a certificate in career development and management in women’s studies from Cornell University.

Thomas Beauford, Jr., is a business executive with over 20 years of strategic leadership experience in private industry and community board service. He is currently the president and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League and was appointed to lead the historical civil rights, social justice, and community empowerment organization in August 2020. He has a deep commitment to community service and currently serves as a board member of Kaleida Health, Universal Regional Advisory Board, Visit Buffalo Niagara, and Northland Workforce Training Center.
Steering Committee members

Felicia Beard
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Trina Burruss
United Way of Buffalo & Erie County

Marie A. Cannon, MSW
Erie County Department of Social Services

DeAnna Eason
Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc.

Zeneta Everhart
Senator Tim Kennedy’s Office

Dr. Uzo Ihenko
Black Chamber of Commerce

Thomas Kim
Community Action Organization

Oluwole (OJ) McFoy
Buffalo Sewer Authority

James Morrell
NFTA

Chiwuike Owunwanne
KeyBank

DeLawndrea Purdue-Grant
Moog

Garnell Whitfield
City of Buffalo

Tonja Williams, Ph.D.
Buffalo Public Schools