Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Byron Brown, and the 5/14 Memorial Commission, along with the families of those lost and injured and other community stakeholders unveiled the final design of a permanent memorial honoring the victims of the racially motivated May 14, 2022 Tops shooting. “Seeing Us,” designed by Jin Young Song and Douglass Alligood, was chosen from 20 submissions and was one of three finalists chosen by the Commission. Governor Hochul also announced an additional State investment of $4.1 million towards siting, design and construction of the memorial, bringing the total state commitment to $5 million.
The final design proposes ten interconnected pillars, inscribed with the names of victims and survivors, each with a unique arc and height, faced with stone. It also features a sweeping support building which operates as a central hub for education, exhibitions, community activities, gatherings, and events. Visitors will also find an elevated Memorial Walk on the roof of the support building. A site for the memorial has not been selected.
The final design follows a public engagement campaign beginning in May 2023, which included public meetings and a community survey. The 5/14 Memorial Commission community survey gave the public a chance to share their thoughts and feelings about the characteristics and elements included in the 5/14 Memorial.
Twenty design submissions were accepted from November 1 through December 18, 2023, with those designs narrowed down to three finalists. The 5/14 Memorial Commission worked with the families of those lost and injured on May 14, 2022 and ultimately chose the final design with their input.
The permanent memorial is expected to cost nearly $15 million and the Commission will now begin a yearlong fundraising campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to break ground. Governor Hochul previously announced an initial investment of $900,000 and has announced an additional $4.1 million. Mayor Brown announced earlier this month that the City of Buffalo would contribute $1 million towards the Memorial.
“As we approach the solemn two-year anniversary of when our neighbors were senselessly slaughtered solely because of the color of their skin, we rededicate ourselves in supporting the East Buffalo community, remembering those we lost, and supporting those who were injured,” Governor Hochul said. “Today’s unveiling of the final design chosen by the 5/14 Memorial Commission is the culmination of many meetings and conversations with the families of those impacted as well as the community.”
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