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The Buffalo Community PTA was chartered on May 10, 2022, with 72 Charter Members (link here) and the election of our first set of officers: Ina Ferguson and Erin Ruffins as co-presidents, Danielle Judge Freeman as treasurer, Desmond Nalls as recording secretary, Lisa Coon as Corresponding Secretary, and Mae Bynum as Membership Chair. This was the launch of the first community PTA in the state of New York, and NYS PTA’s executive director Kyle Belokopitsky was present for this historical event.
This group was formed to promote family engagement at every public school in the City of Buffalo. Use the links below to see everything accomplished during each school year.
Year in review 2024-2025 (link coming soon)
Year in review 2023-2024 (link coming soon)
Year in review 2022-2023 (link coming soon)
Ina Ferguson, Founder, Buffalo Community PTA
Ina Ferguson was born on July 31, 1965, and died on November 6, 2023 after suffering a stroke. Ina dedicated her life to serving our community. At the time of her death, she was serving as co-president of the Buffalo Community PTA—an organization she founded in May 2022—and as the Buffalo Outreach Coordinator for Western Region PTA. Prior to those roles, she’d served numerous PTAs throughout her life, including unit-level work at PS 197 (Math Science Technology Preparatory School); at the regional-level as an Associate Director and Jenkins Scholarship Co-chair; and at the state-level as Diversity Coordinator, Urban Specialist, and Buffalo Outreach Consultant. Ina worked to make sure a diversity of voices were welcomed into our PTA communities, pushed to distribute books with characters of all colors and abilities which were written in multiple languages—and in Braille—to the youth of Buffalo. Ina cared for every child in our community.
The number of organizations Ms. Freguson was involved with are too numerous to name, so will mention just a few: At the time of her death, she was the president of Groundwork Buffalo (https://gwbuffalo.org/); involved with Say Yes Buffalo (https://sayyesbuffalo.org/); employed at the Delavan Grider Community Center (https://www.delavangridercc.com/); and proud of her work with Every Bottom Covered (https://www.everybottomcovered.org/).
In the last year of her life, Ina was recognized by the Buffalo Public School Board with the 2023 Outstanding Parent Award, and by her local union—1199SEIU—with the Community Activist of the Year Award.
One of Ina’s powers was as a connector. She knew everyone and worked to link people to the right projects. She spoke the truth, even when some didn’t want to hear it. Her perspective served our world well and changed many minds and paths.
Our Community PTA has pledged to carry out Ina’s vision as we move forward without her.
Buffalo News Story on Ina Ferguson’s passing
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