Patterson Communications Group

09/15/2026

Presented by the New York State Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development, a Division of Empire State Development.
Buffalo and Western New York business owners—do not wait until these projects are awarded to ask how you could have been involved.
Empire State Development is bringing upcoming New York State projects, major contractors, decision-makers and business resources directly to Western New York.
Talia Johnson Huff is the “EMCEE” for the NYS Projects Pop-Up Series: Western NY but this is bigger than her holding the microphone.
This is about making sure our local MWBEs, SDVOBs, contractors, suppliers and professional service firms are in the room early enough to hear what is coming, understand what is needed and begin building the right relationships.
Access gets you in the room. Readiness determines what happens next.
📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
⏰ 1:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 UB Center for Tomorrow
🚗 Free parking available
There is still time to register: https://forms.monday.com/.../f98a06d5511ad56ed14ca7d891a3...
Please share this with a business owner who is serious about growth, contracts and being prepared when opportunity shows up.

09/07/2026

Attend the 2026 OFFICIAL KICKOFF event sponsored by Moog Inc. for the 3rd Annual Buffalo Niagara MWBE Training Day Conference founded by Talia Johnson Huff. This year's KICKOFF includes the Blueprint Awards and special guest Comedian Chris 'The Mayor' Thomas the first host of on BET. Lock in the date now 09.24.26. Venue TBA.
The KICKOFF is free to attend but RSVPs are required. We'll provided the link in a few days.
Register for the 3rd Annual Buffalo Niagara MWBE Training Day Conference: https://www.themwbeconference.com/
ABOUT :
Chris Thomas was featured in The Queen City Voice Magazine' in May: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/aed6d4af5c.html
says, "BET’s Rap City was the longest running hip-hop TV show in history. It helped rap grow from urban shout to suburban obsession in the late Eighties."
says, "Chris *The Mayor* Thomas is a renowned two-time comedy award-winning comedian. Chris’ work on the 1988 Run/DMC and Public Enemy national tours established him as the King of Hip Hop comedy and led to his most popular role as The Mayor of Black Entertainment Televisions’ (BET’s) “Rap City”; the cable networks highest rated show.”
Media and PR: Patterson Communications Group

09/01/2026

(08.29.26) Thank you to The Challenger News for accepting my invitation to officially document T.I.’s visit to meet and encourage a few of the survivors and those impacted during the 5|14 racially motivated shooting that occurred in Buffalo NY before his performance taking the stage at the sold out Taco & Tequila Festival produced by Social House Entertainment.
I arranged this initiative for Blueprint The Culture Radio hosted by Talia Johnson Huff and for my daughter Marjoni Tripp who interviewed T.I. in 2008 in Detroit. This initiative was part of the Construction Community Engagement efforts around the building of the 5|14 Living Memorial Healing Center of which Buffalo Construction Consultants and MWBE Constructors Inc. are project managers.
The Challenger Newspaper is a Black-owned multi-generational female operated publication.

08/31/2026

Excited about a cast reunion show lm working on that will feature Alison Mills Newman and Marc Copage (pictured here)in the ground breaking tv show (1968) that stared the late

Alison Mills Newman shares, "When we stepped onto that set in 1968, we weren't just making a sitcom; we were stepping into a revolution of the airwaves. Before JULIA, seeing a Black woman in a leading role that wasn't a stereotype was nearly impossible.
Look at our faces! It’s 1968, and we are right in the middle of a whirlwind of change. This was a photo shoot where Marc—my incredible little co-star—and I were pretending to be on the phone with the one and only Diahann Carroll who was the lead in the ground breaking tv series JULIA.
Being on that set was more than just a job; it was a revolution. At a time when the world needed to see it most, America was given the gift of a beautiful, intelligent, and caring Black woman as a lead. For us two young actors, it was a front-row seat to African American history in the making.
At just 6 years old, Marc (the world knew him as Corey Baker) was cast as Julia’s son.
The Dynamic: I was the teenage babysitter (Carol Deering) always there to look after him while Julia was busy being a trailblazer.
A Total Pro: Marc was absolutely on top of his game! He always knew his lines—no flubbing or second-guessing for him. He was a natural.
The Magic of Diahann Carroll
Diahann was the heart of it all. She treated us with such kindness and grace, ensuring the set was always a fun, happy, and safe place for us to grow and learn. She wasn't just a star; she was a pioneer who made sure we felt protected while we made history together.
A Legacy of Joy
A dear friend of mine even named his son after Corey Baker! He told me that seeing a smart, cute, brown-skinned kid like him on TV brought him so much happiness growing up.
The impact of JULIA reached far beyond the studio walls."
Source: Patterson Communications Group. For interviews contact [email protected]

08/30/2026

(08.29.26)Before T.I. performed today he agreed to meet and encourage a few Buffalo residents impacted by the 5|14 racially motivated mass shooting that occurred at ‘Tops Friendly Markets’ Grocery Store where 10 people were hunted and killed. Pictured is Talia Huff host of Blueprint The Culture Radio and guest cohost Marjoni Tripp.
5|14 impacted and survivors are:
1: Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart whose son was shot and survived and
2: Fragrance Harris Stanfield who hid in the freezer as the shooter hunted for her.
Please keep those impacted in your prayers because they struggle with the trauma daily.
Thank you to Pete Dechart VP at Buffalo Construction Consultants for the architectural drawings of the future ‘5|14 Living Memorial Healing Center.
Thank you to Social House Entertainment for donating concert tickets which allowed several of the 5|14 survivors to attend.
Discover more: https://www.buffalony.gov/1609/514-Memorial-Foundation-Inc
The 5/14 Memorial Foundation Inc.
Patterson Communications Group

08/29/2026

Watch or listen to the live interview with T.I. today at 5:30 PM on Blueprint The Culture Radio on Power 96.5 WNY then head to the concert at Terminal B. T.I. performs at 9:00 PM.

08/29/2026

Generational impact in real time! See how T.I. inspired a 14-year-old Marjoni in 2008 and how they are reuniting on Blueprint The Culture hosted by Talia Huff, August 29 for an unforgettable full-circle conversation. What’s your favorite song by T.I.?

08/27/2026

THE EVOLUTION OF A KING: T.I. STANDS ON BUSINESS FROM ‘PAPER TRAIL’ TO ‘KILL THE KING’ - August 29, 2026 Discover More about Tip 'T.I.' Harris on Blueprint The Culture Radio in a Full Circle Retrospective interview with BTC host, Talia Johnson Huff and guest co-host Marjoni Tripp who interviewed T.I. when she was 14 years old in 2008 in Detroit during a pivotal time in his life.
Listen|Watch Blueprint the Culture:
Radio: Power 96.5 WNY | WUFO 1080 AM
Online: https://power965radio.com/
Watch: Streams on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and our partner digital platforms.
REPLAY: https://www.youtube.com/