Charlene Miller

Charlene Miller, known as “Momma Char,” has been a dedicated leader in Buffalo for more than 50 years.

Well known for working with children and seniors, she serves as the President and Founder of the Winslow Avenue Block Club. As a Teacher Assistant, she created before- and after-school programs and served as a mediator between school administration and the community, ensuring the best outcomes for students. She has spearheaded programs to help expecting mothers, organized food distribution events and voter registration drives, and delivered newspapers for the Challenger News, a Black owned- and operated-newspaper, to businesses and senior citizens’ homes.

Over the years, Ms. Miller has received numerous awards for her outstanding work in the community, including a trailblazing sign in the City of Buffalo designated in her honor. In 2020, her block club was honored by the City of Buffalo as Block Club of the Year for their work in the community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Miller, a true living legend, is among the several historical figures whose portraits are featured on the Freedom Wall in the City of Buffalo, which was erected in 2018 through the Albright Knox Art Gallery and community leaders’ partnership.

Following the tragic shooting in Buffalo on May 14, 2022 that claimed the lives of 10 people and injured three others, Ms. Miller sprang into action to support the community. While Tops grocery store remained closed, she personally delivered meals to seniors who were unable or too afraid to leave their homes. She helped manage and stock a community refrigerator and made trips to the pharmacy to pick up essentials and medications for people throughout the community. 

Educated in Alexandria, Virginia, Ms. Miller’s parents exposed her at a young age to social justice demonstrations that were crucial to the Civil Rights Movement. In Buffalo, she earned a degree in Child Care Education from Erie Community College and received certifications as a Teacher Assistant and Operating Room Technician.

Ms. Miller, a selfless force within the Buffalo community, has not only stood as a leader for her family, but has become a Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Friend, and Trusted Neighbor to all who cross her path. Her example of service will ripple throughout generations to come.