During Black History Month, I believe it's important to recognize the contributions of African Americans and the efforts that led to significant social and political change in our country. A seminal organization in the fight for civil rights was the Niagara Movement. In response to the United States Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which sanctioned segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine, the Niagara Movement was formed, composed of Black intellectuals and led by W.E.B. Du Bois, a scholar and activist.

Buffalo and Western New York played an integral part in the Niagara Movement because the first gathering of the group was at the Michigan Avenue home of Mary and William Talbert. In February 1905, after reaching out to the Talberts to secure a quiet location for their initial meeting, Du Bois and 29 men from 14 states gathered at the Buffalo home and adopted a resolution that led to the formation of the Niagara Movement.^[1] The group went on to hold additional meetings from July 11 to 14 in Fort Erie, Ontario, where they drafted a "Declaration of Principles,” enacted a constitution and bylaws, and defined the purpose of the group as fighting for political and social equality for African Americans. ^[2]

In 1906, the movement grew to 170 members and spanned 30 states. It sought to bring about change by addressing the issues of crime, economics, religion, health and education. The members specifically condemned the lynching of Black men, racial segregation and the disenfranchisement of African American voters.^[3] In August of 1906, the Niagara Movement held its first conference in the United States at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The site was chosen to recognize both the 1859 anti-slavery uprising led by John Brown (a fellow New Yorker) and the college that was established in 1867 to educate former slaves and prepare them for the workforce. ^[4]

While the Niagara Movement eventually ended in 1911, it laid the foundation for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). This organization included many members from the Niagara Movement and continued to work towards the ultimate goal of nationwide equality and justice. Today, the NAACP is one of the nation's largest civil rights organizations working to eliminate racial prejudice and ensure the political and social equality of minority groups across the country. The NAACP played a significant role in historic legal cases such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.^[5]

Buffalo’s contribution to the founding of the Niagara Movement is a significant moment in our state and regional history, in which determined and courageous people broke new ground in the fight for civil rights. As we celebrate Black History Month, I’m reminded of a quote by Maya Angelou. “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 716-634-1895 or McMahonK@nyassembly.gov with any questions or concerns you might have regarding any state issue.

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1. www.nsm.buffalo.edu/~sww/0history/hwny-niagara-movement.html
2. nps.gov/articles/niagara-movement-cornerstone-of-the-modern-civil-rights-movement.htm
3. history.com/topics/black-history/niagara-movement#section_1
4. nps.gov/articles/niagara-movement-cornerstone-of-the-modern-civil-rights-movement.htm
5. naacp.org/about/our-history