International Institute of Buffalo joined Assemblymember Jon Rivera, Buffalo Common Council President David Rivera, representatives from Providence Farm Collective, and other stakeholders to unveil a dynamic new mural recognizing and celebrating Buffalo’s Somali Bantu community. The vibrant art includes hues of radiant blue representing the rivers of Somalia, while colors of green and elements of the Somali flag and its star pay homage to the nation’s agricultural heritage.
The new mural, a vibrant symbol of the Somali Bantu community’s resilience and growth, can be viewed at 351 Grant Street. Buffalo’s Westside, currently home to the Somali Bantu Community Organization, holds a special significance as it has been a nurturing ground for the community since its first arrival in Buffalo nearly twenty years ago when it was just a handful and now has grown to over 600 people.
The new mural spotlights the community’s resilience and growth while serving as a sign of Buffalo’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural pride.
Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, executive director of the International Institute of Buffalo, said she was happy to accept Assemblyman Rivera’s invitation to speak at the unveiling.
“Our area boasts well over 100 murals, each with its own unique message, beauty, and significance, said Rizzo-Choi. “We are so happy that this new Somali Bantu mural will join the list, proudly and visually proclaiming that Somali Bantus are an integral part of the vibrant tapestry that makes up the City of Good Neighbors.”
The International Institute has been pivotal in Buffalo’s storied history of welcoming New Americans, and it continues helping thousands of families begin a new life in our city by connecting them with ethnic community leaders, other local immigrant and refugee organizations, and American-born residents. As a member of Welcoming America, we collaborate with many regional stakeholders to advance our mission and create an atmosphere that is befitting of the City of Good Neighbors.
