Senator Sean Ryan Sponsors Film Screening To Commemorate Juneteenth At Villa Maria College

BUFFALO – Today, June 10, 2025, New York State Senator Sean Ryan announced that he is sponsoring a screening of And A Shot Rang Out, a documentary about Buffalo’s connection to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 16 at the Villa Maria College Recital Hall at 240 Pine Ridge Rd. Parking for the event will be free.

The screening is being held to commemorate Juneteenth, as well as to educate Buffalonians about Buffalo’s connection to the tragic acts of racial violence that occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 31 and June 1, 1921. It is being presented by Senator Ryan and Villa Maria College in conjunction with the Uncrowned Queens Institute and Talagraphy.

The Tulsa Race Massacre was a violent white supremacist riot that had lasting consequences on the community well beyond the initial events. White citizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma, instigated violence against the city’s densely populated Black neighborhood. By some estimates, nearly 300 people were killed in the massacre. Thousands of homes were looted and burned, leaving surviving Black families homeless. The film serves as a reminder of our nation’s history of violence and injustice against minority groups, and a chance to educate the community about these horrific events.

Senator Sean Ryan said, “It’s difficult to imagine that, after the brutal and senseless acts of racial violence that occurred in Tulsa more than 100 years ago, we would ever experience anything like it again. But the tragic reality is that we still see racial violence occurring across the United States every day, including in Buffalo, where we will never forget the 2022 mass shooting on 5/14. The screening of this film is a reminder of the importance that history and education play in preventing future tragedies. I invite the community to come and take a moment to learn about these events and how we can break the cycle of racism and hate in our communities.”

Esther Annan, President's Special Assistant for Philanthropy at Villa Maria College, said, “As a social justice teaching institution, it is important for us to connect with strategic partners that help promote solidarity among all people. Juneteenth reminds us that we cannot forget our history, but we can look back at it to help us move forward. We are proud to partner with Senator Ryan, Talagraphy and the Uncrowned Queens Institute to tell the story of Buffalo's connection to the Tulsa Massacre of 1921. When we learn together, we can move forward together.”

Dr. Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, Co-Founder of the Uncrowned Queens Institute, said, “The Uncrowned Queens Institute has been documenting, preserving, and sharing African American regional history for nearly 25 years. In some instances, we excavate unknown stories that were in danger of being lost. Our research magnifies the valuable contribution of African American history as an integral part of American History. Yet, currently, we are seeing a systematic effort to revise, distort, and/or erase that history and to misrepresent its authenticity and its place in American history. 

“There is an urgent need to address these attacks on the validity and veracity of African American history and literature. Events like the Juneteenth Holiday and the screening/dialogue of ‘And A Shot Rang Out’ offer a platform and an opportunity to educate the community, refute the falsehoods, and publicly elucidate the significance of historic milestones like the Tulsa Race Massacre and Juneteenth. This is a critical time to respond to the attempts to undermine the significance of African American history through vocal and visible resistance.

“This is not an effort we take on alone. I want to thank Senator Ryan and Villa Maria President Matthew Giordano for their commitment as partners in this work, and sponsors of this event.”

Tala Harden, Owner of Talagraphy and Filmmaker of And A Shot Rang Out, said, “Now more than ever, it’s important that we keep black history alive. Storytelling, music, art, writings. We need to keep asking questions, sharing knowledge, and providing the next generation with a resilient hope for the future.”