Hochul Supports $300K State Grant to Juneteenth Committed for Headquarters Repairs

Buffalo’s Juneteenth Festival Inc., the nonprofit that organizes the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration, has received $300,000 in state funding to restore and modernize its Genesee Street headquarters.

The grant, announced in August 2025, was secured through the efforts of Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and supported by Governor Kathy Hochul. The funding will address long-standing structural issues at the building, which suffered significant damage in May 2022 when part of its facade collapsed and its roof began to deteriorate.

Planned upgrades include critical roof and exterior repairs, improvements to the parking lot, and accessibility enhancements to ensure the site can serve more members of the community.

Leaders of Juneteenth Festival Inc. say the investment will not only stabilize the building but also strengthen the organization’s future.

The improvements are expected to safeguard the annual Juneteenth festival, which is one of the largest in the nation, while also supporting the group’s year-round cultural programming and community outreach.

Hochul Supports $300K State Grant to Juneteenth Committed for Headquarters Repairs