The East Side of Buffalo, New York, is a culturally rich area home to historic African American communities. It is comprised of 14 neighborhoods located east of Main Street, including Broadway-Fillmore, Cold Springs, Delavan-Grider, Ellicott, Fruit Belt, Fillmore-Leroy, Genesee-Moselle, Hamlin Park, Kensington-Bailey, Kenfield, Lovejoy, Masten Park, MLK Park, and Schiller Park.

The East Side has long faced environmental and health disparities due to industrial pollution, highway construction, economic disinvestment, and systemic neglect. Historically home to sources of pollution like General Motors, American Axle, and the Kensington Expressway, the area suffers from lingering contamination and ecological degradation that disproportionately impact its predominantly Black, South Asian, and Latinx communities. This has resulted in heightened exposure to pollutants, contributing to health issues such as asthma, which affects 11% of children and 7% of adults in the area. Additionally, the East Side has over 7,000 vacant lots, exacerbating urban decay and limiting opportunities for revitalization.

Compounding these challenges, the East Side is classified as a food desert, restricting access to fresh and affordable food while increasing rates of obesity and diabetes. The lack of green spaces and deforestation intensify environmental risks, contributing to poor air quality and extreme heat effects. Climate vulnerabilities, including intensifying blizzards, extreme lake-effect snow, and aging infrastructure in need of constant upkeep, further threaten the well-being of East Side residents. Addressing these disparities requires sustained investment, grassroots organizing, and community-led action to reclaim land, improve living conditions, and build a healthier, more just future.