Buffalo is set to be the first city in the country to have a monument dedicated to African American veterans, and that monument will be funded in part by a special state grant.
The monument committee announced Thursday the project will receive a $600,000 New York State Dormitory Authority (DASNY) State and Municipal Facilities (SAM) Grant.
“The committee is thrilled to receive approval by my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly for SAM funding of the African American Veterans Monument,” said Hon. Crystal Peoples-Stokes. “Having this commitment takes us closer to our fundraising goal, and is a huge milestone for our committee, and a testament to the long overdue honor of African American Veterans.”
Announced on Veterans Day 2017, The African American Veterans Monument will recognize the contributions of African Americans who have served and are currently serving in all five branches of the military, during war and in peace times.
“The committee has worked tirelessly to develop the plans for the African American Veterans Monument,” said Warren Galloway, Committee Chair. “This donation is huge and will allow us to begin construction. We are still in need of additional funding to close the gaps, so we urge the community and both private and public sectors to support its completion.”
Construction of the Monument will begin this spring once the fundraising goal is met. The design of the African American Veterans Monument, created by Solid 716, boasts 12 black 10-foot concrete pillars that represent each of the country’s 12 military conflicts; African Americans have fought in each of the 12 conflicts.
