Governor Kathy Hochul, Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, and the 5/14 Memorial Commission unveiled the final design for a memorial honoring victims of the May 14th, 2022, racially motivated Tops shooting. The design, named “Seeing Us” by Jin Young Song and Douglass Alligood, was chosen from 20 submissions. Hochul also announced an additional $4.1 million state investment, bringing the total state contribution to $5 million for the memorial’s construction.
The proposed memorial features ten interconnected pillars inscribed with victims’ names and an elevated Memorial Walk. The design process included public meetings and community surveys. Mayor Brown and Reverend Blue emphasized the memorial’s significance in honoring the victims and supporting the East Buffalo community.
The permanent memorial is estimated to cost nearly $15 million, with ongoing fundraising efforts. Following the attack, Governor Hochul announced $50 million in targeted investments for community needs, with an additional $10 million on the first anniversary. The state will continue collaborating with various partners to address long-term community needs.
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