Saturday, November 18–19
Location: Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208 (map)
Free and open to the general public

On the 50th anniversary of the Long Hot Summer—an urban rebellion that took place around the United States, including on Buffalo’s East Side—Squeaky Wheel, Just Buffalo Literary Center, and Open Buffalo present To and From 1967, a two-day series of screenings, discussions and events inspired by prison justice activist Martin Sostre (1923-2015).

Featuring filmmakers, journalists and storytellers from Buffalo and beyond, Sostre’s story and commitment act as a prism for this event series, refracting the ways in which incarceration envelops society at large, situating 1967 in Buffalo, and exploring possible futures rooted among a celebration of the African diaspora, among other discussions.

The event also marks the installation of Reviving Sostre, a participatory artwork centering Martin Sostre. Local artists Paris Henderson, Savion Mingo, and Obsidian have hand-made custom bookshelves with the goal of recreating Sostre’s presence where his store once stood on Jefferson Avenue. Sostre’s store carried progressive, leftist and Black radical literature. In order to make this revival true to his legacy we call on you to donate your books of these genres. Bring your books to the event on Saturday, or drop them off at Squeaky Wheel by 5pm, Friday, November 17.

For more information and a full schedule, click here.