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Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Inc
Buffalo, NY · EIN 271273797 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S30 · Community Improvement · Medium ($1M-$10M) · michiganstreetbuffalo.org
revenue
$4.2M
expenses
$2.6M
net assets
$4.0M
employees
5
volunteers
160
program ratio
97%
mission · from form 990

To identify short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions that will work to create a unified tourism destination; strengthen the Corridor's cultural assets and the surrounding neighborhood; support the sustainability of the Commission; and further develop assets to facilitate increased visitorship and additional private investment.

profile · synthesized from sources

Manages and supports the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor in Buffalo, NY, a historic district centered on four cultural anchor institutions. The organization promotes cultural tourism, historic preservation, and community development through administrative support, public education, and infrastructure projects. It operates as an umbrella nonprofit overseeing museums, a historic church, and a radio station with deep African American heritage.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $2.08M
    Manages and provides an administrative support system to the historic preservation area on Buffalo's east side for the heritage corridor which is divided into four cultural anchors, The Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition's Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Colored Musicians Club and Jazz Museum Inc.'s historic Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum, the Michigan Street Preservation Corp's Nash House Museum, and the WUFO Black Radio History Collective's WUFO Radio Station & Black History Collective. Public education is provided by cultural tourism and development. Currently in the process of creating streamlined ticketing platform (AudienceView)for the Corridor with options and tour availability for each Anchor site Location, as well as special event ticketing as well as working with local IT Companies. Advance2000, AT Technology to create an IT network and infrastructure to support the Commission and Anchor Sites to allow for security emailing systems, file sharing and data gathering. Also, the Commission and the Anchors are working with a new Funds & Grant Development Consulting group - Core Vision Solutions to create a unified grant application process as well as identify and apply for future funding opportunities.
  2. #2 $186K
    Residency the acquisition and rehabilitation of 136-146 Broadway. Recently acquired the 136-146 Broadway Location - that will be seriving as the site of the Main Visitor Center for the Corridor and will be working with ESD and local Design & Construction firms to rehabilitate and expand the buildings for further development.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Administrative Support for Cultural Anchors
Provides operational and administrative support to four cultural anchor institutions: Michigan Street Baptist Church, Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum, Nash House Museum, and WUFO Radio Station & Black History Collective
IT Network Infrastructure
Building a shared IT network with local companies (Advance2000, AT Technology) to support data sharing, security, and communications for anchor sites
Main Visitor Center Development
Rehabilitating and expanding 136-146 Broadway into a central visitor hub for the corridor with support from ESD and local design firms
Strategic Action Plan Development
Formulating a long-term plan to unify the heritage corridor, enhance visitorship, and strengthen cultural assets and neighborhood development
Streamlined Ticketing Platform
Creating an integrated ticketing system (AudienceView) for cultural sites and special events across the corridor
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Cultural Facility Development and Management 2 activities
    • Acquire and redevelop property for a Main Visitor Center
      Acquired the property at 136-146 Broadway in Buffalo to serve as the Main Visitor Center for the Heritage Corridor and is rehabilitating and expanding the buildings in partnership with ESD and local design and construction firms.
    • Operate and manage the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor as a historic preservation district
      Manages a designated heritage area on Buffalo’s east side, bounded by Broadway, Eagle, Elm, William, and Pine Streets, encompassing four cultural anchor institutions and recognized nationally and internationally for its role in preserving African American history. The district is operated as a historic preservation and cultural tourism destination.
  • Art and Antique Research, Curation, and Sales 1 activity
    • Build IT infrastructure and unified ticketing system for the Heritage Corridor
      Developing a unified ticketing platform using AudienceView for the Heritage Corridor’s cultural anchor sites and building an IT infrastructure with local companies to support secure communications, file sharing, and data collection.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
    • Develop and implement strategic and economic development plans for the Corridor
      Developed a strategic action plan and economic development strategy for the Michigan Street Corridor through community engagement in partnership with Moody Nolan, including efforts to unite anchor organizations and build new community partnerships.
  • Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
    • Engage volunteers and community members in governance and operations
      Engages volunteers through committee-based governance structures to support ongoing operations, programming, and organizational sustainability.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Host year-round public events and activities to revitalize the Corridor
      Organizes and hosts ongoing events and activities aimed at restoring, reinvigorating, and increasing public awareness of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor and its historical significance.
  • Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
    • Offer free self-guided virtual access to the Heritage Corridor’s cultural anchors
      Provides free self-guided virtual tours of the four cultural anchor institutions in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, accessible online at any time to support broad public education and engagement.
  • Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
    • Provide in-person and virtual guided tours of the Heritage Corridor and its cultural anchors
      Offers public in-person tours of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor and its four Founding Cultural Anchors on Saturdays and by appointment, as well as guided virtual tours via Zoom for $15 per person. Also operates the Nash House Museum with docent-led programming.
  • Organizational Sustainability Management 1 activity
    • Secure funding and support organizational growth through external consulting
      Seeks a consultant to identify, secure, and manage funding opportunities in support of the organization’s mission and long-term growth following its transition to an independent nonprofit.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Provide administrative and operational support to cultural anchor institutions
      Acts as an umbrella organization providing administrative support and operational coordination for the cultural anchor institutions along the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.17M
Contributions & grants$4.06M97%
Program service revenue$7K0%
Investment income$5K0%
Other revenue$98K
expenses
Total expenses$2.59M
Program expenses97%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$290K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.60M
Cash$1.76M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.62M
Net assets$3.97M
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +390.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 6
  • Anthony Johnson — Board Member
  • Dorothy Hill — Board Member
  • Kevin D Robinson — Board Member
  • Michael Johnson — Board Member
  • Sharon Holley — Board Member
  • Sheila Brown — Board Member
relationships · 63

Who they work with

  • AT Technology Partner — IT company collaborating with the Commission to develop secure email, file sharing, and data systems for the Heritage Corridor.
  • Advance2000 Partner — IT company collaborating with the Commission to build a secure IT network and infrastructure for the Heritage Corridor and its anchor sites.
  • Albright-Knox Art Gallery Public Art Initiative Partner — Partner in commissioning the Freedom Wall public art installation at Michigan Avenue and West Ferry.
  • April N.M. Baskin Government — Honorable official supporting the organization
  • April N.M. Baskins Government — Erie County Legislator Chairperson who has supported the Corridor's mission and vision.
  • April N.M. Baskins Government — Erie County Legislator Chairperson who has supported the Corridor’s mission.
  • Brian Higgins Government — U.S. Representative who has supported the Corridor's mission and vision.
  • Brian Higgins Government — US Representative who has provided continued support for the Commission’s mission and vision.
  • Byron Brown Government — Mayor of Buffalo who has supported the Commission’s efforts.
  • Byron Brown Government — Mayor of Buffalo who has supported the Corridor's mission and vision.
  • Colored Musicians Club and Jazz Museum Inc. Partner — Partner organization managing the Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum as a cultural anchor site in the Heritage Corridor.
  • Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Funder — Administers the $8 million East Side Collaborative Fund that supports revitalization initiatives.
  • Core Vision Solutions Partner — Consulting group assisting the Commission in developing a unified grant application process and identifying future funding opportunities.
  • Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes Government — NYS Assemblywoman and public official supporting the organization
  • Crystal Peoples-Stokes Funder — Secured a legislative grant of $75,000 in state funds for the commission's formation.
  • Crystal Peoples-Stokes Government — As Assembly Majority Leader, sponsored legislation to create the Heritage Corridor and secured initial state funding; ongoing advocate for the Commission.
  • Darius Pridgen Government — Buffalo City Council President who has supported the Commission.
  • Darius Pridgen Government — Buffalo City Council President who has supported the Corridor's mission and vision.
  • East Side Avenues Government — Sponsors the MSAAHCC as part of Governor Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion project.
  • East Side Avenues Partner — Capacity building initiative that supported revitalization strategies and funding coordination for Buffalo’s East Side.
  • East Side Avenues Partner — Collaborative initiative receiving joint investment and advocacy; aligned with the Commission’s revitalization goals.
  • Empire State Development Government — State agency providing capital funding through its $65 million East Side Corridor Economic Development initiative.
  • Empire State Development Government — State agency that has supported the Corridor's mission and vision.
  • Empire State Development Government — State economic development agency that has supported the Corridor’s historic and economic revitalization.
  • Erie County Funder — Major funder of Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Inc
  • HMBCBS Funder — Generous sponsor of Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Inc
  • Historic Colored Musicians Club Partner — One of the four Founding Cultural Anchors in the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor offering historical programming.
  • Historic Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum Partner — Cultural anchor institution with shared governance through board representation and collaborative programming.
  • Humanities New York Funder — Supports the organization through grants or sponsorship
  • Mark Poloncarz Government — Erie County Executive and public official supporter
+ 33 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Informed Collective Action
    methodology: umbrella_organization_model
    By uniting anchor organizations under shared governance and incorporating community-informed planning, the organization advances equitable development because inclusive decision-making strengthens ownership, sustainability, and cultural authenticity in preservation efforts.
  • Place-Based Cultural Immersion
    methodology: place-based heritage education
    By using the physical and cultural landscape of the Michigan Street neighborhood as an immersive educational environment, the organization teaches African American history because experiential engagement with heritage sites deepens public understanding and fosters lasting community connection.
  • Thematic Historical Framing for Identity Continuity
    methodology: historical_continuity_framing
    By organizing programming around core themes—Freedom, Cultural Expression, and Self-Determination—and linking them to major historical movements, the organization strengthens contemporary community identity because connecting past struggles and achievements to present life creates a coherent narrative of resilience and agency.