Our Mission

The Black Rock / Riverside Alliance (BRRA) is committed to the overall betterment of the Black Rock, Riverside, Grant-Amherst, and West-Hertel Neighborhoods of Buffalo New York. We believe that the road to a brighter tomorrow begins with the informed and educated individual citizen. We strive to provide the educational resources, training materials, and basic logistic support to allow individuals and groups to work with us and each other to achieve the following goals:

• Revitalize and preserve these vibrant, historic communities.
• Actively combat urban blight.
• Work towards the beautification of our neighborhoods and city.
• Bolster private economic development.
• Increase commercial desirability

We strive to complete these goals in an effort to lessen the burden placed on the government by developing self-sufficiency among residents and to improve the overall quality of life in these communities.

Sponsors and Grantors

Special thank you to our sponsors and grantors for our 2019 projects and events

• ​New York State
• Erie County
  • ​​Thank you to Erie County and Legislator Peter Savage for their Community Neighborhood Development Funding for 2019
• City of Buffalo
• West Side Development Coalition

​​An additional thanks to the Riverside Review for publishing original articles in their newsletter.

Core Operating  Principles

As we set out to accomplish our mission, the BRRAlliance, Inc. and its members are guided by the following core principles; in that each of our projects will be:

Comprehensive – A single project cannot revitalize a neighborhood. An ongoing series of initiatives is vital to build community support and create lasting progress.

Incremental – Small projects make a big difference. They demonstrate that “things are happening” and hone the skills and confidence the program will need to tackle problems that are more complex.

Locally Led – Only local leadership can initiate long-term success by fostering and demonstrating community involvement and commitment to the revitalization effort.

Action-Oriented – Frequent, visible changes in the look and activities of the neighborhood will reinforce the perception of positive change. Small, but dramatic improvements early in the process will remind the community that the revitalization effort is under way.

A Public/Private Partnership – Every local plan needs the support of both the public and private sectors. For an effective partnership, each must recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the other.

Focused On Identifying and Utilizing Existing Assets – Each neighborhood has unique, existing assets that provide the solid foundation for a successful initiative.

Quality – From housing design to promotional campaigns to special events, quality must be the main goal.

Comprehensive and Well-Planned – Changing community attitudes and habits is essential to bring about a community renaissance. A carefully planned program will help shift public perceptions and practices to support and sustain the revitalization process.