NFTA representatives and Senator Tim Kennedy teamed up to join the community Monday night at Metro's Cold Spring Garage to announce the completion of the beautification project for the Buffalo Freedom Wall.

With the generous funding of over $700,000 from Senator Kennedy and partnerships with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, the NFTA has enhanced the sidewalk area along Michigan and Ferry Streets.

The twenty-eight civil rights leaders of past and present featured on the mural are now in the “spotlight” with a new state-of-the-art lighting system, providing a glow to one of the city’s most recognizable works of public art.  The work also included the replacement of worn street curbing, improvements in sidewalk accessibility, and a depiction of the Pan-African flag along the wall and on the outer sidewalk.

The evening presentation concluded with a COUNTDOWN and an illumination of the historical icons featured on the wall. Unapologetic Coffee, located near Metro's Utica Station, provided refreshments. It was a wonderful evening filled with community connection and celebration.