Brenda Williams McDuffie is an active community champion who advocates for systemic change and action that make life better for all members of the community.

After her “retirement” as the first woman President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League for 22 years, she never stopped using her voice for and serving others. Under her leadership, the Buffalo Urban League became one of the community’s premier organizations serving more than 20,000 individuals annually through addressing health, economic and social needs while fighting for equity and justice.

After the tragedy of the 5/14 Tops Markets shooting, Brenda was recruited back to work by the Office of Mental Health to support the healing, mental health and wellness services to the Buffalo community. During this time, she and others founded the Black Women’s Wellness Village of Buffalo that she chairs.

Also known for her leadership in workforce development, Brenda was instrumental in the development of New York State’s Workforce Development system while she was the Executive Director of the Buffalo and Erie County’s Private Industry Council (PIC) and the President of the New York State Association of Employment and Training Professionals (NYATEP).

Some of her past and current Board and volunteer service includes: The Black Women’s Wellness Village of Buffalo, Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective (Chair), Erie County Industrial Agency (Chair), CoNECT and Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo (Co-Chair), Elim Christian Fellowship Intergenerational Empowerment & Community Development, Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, People Inc., University at Buffalo Council, The Racial Equity Roundtable, Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, The Western New York Women’s Foundation, Buffalo State College Council, Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Board, Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board, Independent Health Association, NYS Re-Entry Council, NYS Farmer Labor Wage Board, and National Urban League.

Each year, over the last two decades she was recognized by Buffalo Business First as one of the most influential leaders in Western New York and in 2021, she was inducted in the Buffalo Business Hall of Fame. In addition, Brenda is an advisor and mentor to many individuals and community groups in Buffalo and across the country.

Brenda has received numerous awards and recognitions for her advocacy, leadership and service at the local, state and national levels. She is in the Western New York Women’s Hall of Fame, a recipient of the National Urban League Women of Power and, most recently, the Buffalo Urban League William L. Evans and Whitney M. Young Humanitarian Award and the Buffalo & Erie County United Way first ever President’s Leadership Award.

Born and raised surrounded by a loving family in Brooklyn, New York she came to Buffalo for college. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Services from Buffalo State College and her graduate certification in Human Resources from the University at Buffalo, School of Management.

Brenda and her husband, Gerald, reside in Buffalo, New York where they raised their children.