The mission statement of the Western New York Minority Media Professionals, Inc (WNYMMP) is the founding of a professional media organization committed to promoting social and educational opportunities within the Western New York Community.
January 1995
The founders and incorporators were Michael Quinniey (WKBW-TV), and Tyrone Christopher (WIVB-TV). Along with founding board members Sufana Wajed and Rameer Green established a media organization.
November 19, 1998
The media organization was incorporated.
Bernard Mitchell was the key component to organizing our media company and added the name professionals to our company’s incorporation. Bernard gave us guidance and structure that provided the sales roadmap that would allow our organization to create, develop, produce, and syndicate our own urban programming to major media markets.
Without Bernard’s input, hard work, and dedication our organization could have never moved forward. There are not enough words to say, other than, thank you. We will continue to work with young people and teach them by his trademark examples of class, character, professionalism, pride in your work, and always greeting people with a smile and a hand shake.
Bernard worked at WUFO, WBLK in the 1970’s and 80’s. He worked at WGRZ TV NBC CH2 until he came to WKBW-TV ABC CH7 in 1989 and was employed there for 15 years as a lead Account Executive. Bernie, as his co-workers called him, got an opportunity of a lifetime and went on to Charlotte North Carolina to work for WSOC-TV ABC CH9.
August 3, 2000
The corporation was named Western New York Minority Media Professionals, Inc (WNYMMP) and received tax exempt status to operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
December 14, 2001
WNYMMP produced and premiered a professional profile show formally called the “Western New York Magazine” on CH7 WKBW-TV the ABC affiliate.
September 2003
WNYMMP completed one of the first deals in the country that gives us the ability to create, develop, and produce independent programming for WKBW-TV CH7 ABC in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada. This is a great opportunity for small businesses to advertise on commercial television for the first time.
October 17, 2003
WNYMMP co-produced and premiered on ABC CH7 WKBW-TV “Late Nite Noise” hosted by WBLK’S own Dwaine Terry. It was one of the first Hip Hop TV shows to air on commercial television.
April 2006
The show that began as a half hour monthly changed its name to “UPFRONT TV MAGAZINE” and can now be seen as a 1 hour weekly program. We also created and premiered a 1 hour weekly music entertainment show called "OFFICIAL HEAT."
January 2008
WNYMMP founded a media youth group called Eagle Eyes (Experienced Youth Expressing Skills) with plans to launch an online newspaper which will deal with issues that affect our youth.
February 1, 2008
WNYMMP purchased The Broadway Theatre located at 512 Broadway Street in Buffalo that will be our office space and training center for students in multimedia technology and we will offer courses on media effects and interpretations.
September 2009
WNYMMP reached an agreement with the Buffalo Board of Education’s Athletic Department to create a high school sports media program. The goal of this program is to create greater visibility of the City of Buffalo high school sports and it will eventually be called The Bernard Mitchell Sports Media Program after a dedication ceremony in the spring of 2010.
Summer 2010
WNYMMP will host our annual "Professionals Of Color In Media Hall Of Fame" which was created in 2004.
April 2012
The Great Day in Jazz Buffalo yearly spring event to commemorate jazz legend Elvin Shepherd missing the great day in Harlem picture in 1958. The great day in jazz gathered 100 musicians to take a historic picture on the steps of the Albright Knox Art Gallery.
February 2014
In Conjunction with Roswell Park Cancer Institute and its African American Employee Network (AREN) we launched the Queen City Black Film Festival on the medical campus.
October 2014
Upfront Business Magazine an online and print magazine about professionals was launched at the Embassy Suites Hotel.
December 2015
WNYMMP is proud to announce the relocation of its headquarters office to the Ellicott Square Building located at 295 Main Street, Suite 774, Buffalo, New York 14203.
January 2017
Upfront TV airs on WBBZ-TV Ch. 67
January 2018
WNYMMP premiers www.upfrontsportstrek.com
January 2019
Sattler "Broadway" Theater Restoration Team partners with West Herr to Raffle 2018 Mustang GTE 350. Proceeds to benifit the restoration of the theater and aid WNYMMP's youth programs. The theaters Mustang raffle was sponsored by Zamkro Homes and Cortese Construction.
May 2019
Sattler "Broadway" Theater Restoration Team places new banner on the front facade of the building sponsored by Zoom Copy.
April 2020
WNYMMP Lauches WKICX Streaming Media website with host Tracy Vincent
December 2021
Sattler Broadway Theater Stabilization begins.
April 2022
Great Day in Jazz 10-year anniversary.
Summer 2022
Zamkro Auto Racing Program
WNY Minority Media Professionals, Inc.
295 Main Street, Suite #774
Buffalo, NY 14203 US
716-715-0384