Buffalo Black Billion – St. John Baptist Church

March 13, 2024

Our WECGOD II, 501c3 Corporation (We Educate Communities Globally On Disparities) is asking for your support for the upcoming year growing season by contributing to our annual appeal. You can donate via the Buffalo Black Billion website by clicking here or by mail written to: WECGOD...

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Governor Hochul Announces Major Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing Development in East Buffalo Now Complete

by Loren B.

Buffalo Black Billion, Fruit Belt, McCarley Gardens, News, Pastor Chapman, St. John Baptist Church

February 8, 2024

Please click here for original article. Substantial Renovations at 149-Unit McCarley Gardens Apartments Preserves Affordability, Improves Energy Efficiency and Safety for Low-Income Families Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a substantial rehabilitation at McCarley Gardens Apartments, an affordable housing development in East Buffalo. The renovation...

affordable housing, Buffalo Black Billion, Buffalo Economic Development, community collaboration, community development, East Side of Buffalo, housing, low-income housing, public housing, social justice, urban development

Buffalo’s Black Billion– a powerful economic and community development force within the City of East Buffalo, known as the “Fruit Belt.”

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Buffalo Black Billion, Family Life Center, Fruit Belt, Gethsemane, McCarley Gardens, News, St. John Baptist Church, St. John Baptist Hospice House, St. John Towers, St. John Townhomes, Urban Development

February 6, 2024

This story first appeared in MEA magazine By Sheila Durant What do you say about a man who means so much to so many people in such an extraordinary place and time? Inextricably bound to his faith, no one can doubt that he has internalized his role...

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WECGOD II Donates $250,000 to Renovation Fund for Gethsemane Church

by Loren B.

Buffalo Black Billion, Fruit Belt, Gethsemane, Minister Ina, News, Pastor Chapman

December 15, 2023

Overseer and Pastor Michael Chapman of Gethsemane and St. John Baptist Church (Two Churches, Two Campuses, One Village) and his wife, Minister Ina Chapman donated $250,000 from WECGOD II (We Educate Communities Globally on Disparities) to the renovation fund of the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church...

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Fruit Belt Farmers’ Market Coming Soon

by Loren B.

Agriculture, Buffalo Black Billion, Fruit Belt, McCarley Gardens, News, Urban Development

December 5, 2023

Over the past 13 years, Reverend Michael Chapman has worked to see the vision of Buffalo's Black Billion come to fruition. His plans for the redevelopment of the Fruit Belt neighborhood include a farmer's market which will help revitalize the area. The project was delayed for...

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Reverend Chapman Announces Run for Common Council Seat

by Loren B.

Buffalo Black Billion, Fruit Belt, News, Pastor Chapman, Urban Development

March 6, 2023

Reverend Chapman announces his decision to campaign for a seat in the Buffalo Common Council as representative to the Ellicott District. He hopes to replace Reverend Darius G. Pridgen who has announced his decision to not seek re-election after 12 years in the post. Reverend Chapman...

buffalo, Buffalo Black Billion, common council, community leadership, East Side of Buffalo, ellicott district, local politics, low-income housing, urban development, vote, voting

Buffalo’s Black Billion Plans to Invest in Jefferson Ave.

by Loren B.

Buffalo Black Billion, News, Pastor Chapman, St. John Baptist Church, Urban Development

June 22, 2022

St. John Baptist Church has announced its intentions to redevelop Jefferson Ave, estimating that with proper support significant changes can be made in the area in less than one decade. Following the 2022 Buffalo Shooting at the Tops located on Jefferson Ave., the church has set...

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Buffalo’s Black Billion Invests $200,000 toward Community Market

by Loren B.

Agriculture, Buffalo Black Billion, Fruit Belt, News, Urban Development

June 14, 2022

Buffalo's Black Billion invested $200,000 towards the purchase of a plot of land in the Fruit Belt neighborhood. The plot of land will accommodate the nonprofit's vision of a mixed-used community space that will include an outdoor market place, an indoor retail space, a community garden...

Buffalo Black Billion, Buffalo Economic Development, East Side of Buffalo, farmer's market, food access, fresh produce, fruit belt, grassroots, nonprofit, social justice

Former Hospice Facility will become Mental Health Crisis Center

by Loren B.

Buffalo Black Billion, Fruit Belt, News, St. John Baptist Hospice House

March 17, 2022

St. John Baptist Hospice House will be converted to a mental health crisis facility. The Hospice has been mostly vacant since 2017 and has only been used intermittently as a healthcare facility since then. The Hospice is owned by WECGOD II, which will be partnering...

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WECGOD II Donates $250,000 to Renovation Fund for Gethsemane Church

Reverend Chapman Announces Run for Common Council Seat

Former Hospice Facility will become Mental Health Crisis Center

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