Byron W. Brown

PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE

Education

BA Political Science - SUNY Buffalo State University
MS Leadership & Innovation - Daemen University

The Honorable Byron W. Brown served as the Mayor, City of Buffalo from 2016-2024, the longest serving mayor in Buffalo's history and the first African American to win that office. Other elected offices Brown has held include NYS Senator (60th District) (2003-2005), 57th District (2001-2003), Member of the City of Buffalo Common Council (Masten District) (1996-2001). Brown also served as Chair, New YorkDemocratic Party (2016-19).  Since October 2024, Brown has served as President and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting a public benefit corporation that is owned by 15 counties and the cities of Buffalo and Rochester. 

Brown has been involved with the MPA program since the planning stages through SUNY Buffalo State's consultation with the City of Buffalo and other governmental entities to design an MPA program that would best serve the WNY community.  He has taught US Public Policy, MPA Project, and NYS Government and Budget. 

Current Book Project

Mayor Brown is co-editor of Governing New York State Through Crises  (with Laurie Buonanno, Frederick Floss, and Lisa Parshall), which is under advance contract with SUNY Press and is currently in the peer review stage (Fall 2024).  

Book description. This edited volume takes a fresh approach to the study of New York State politics and government through an examination of governance in times of crises.  The key question driving this book centers on the concept of crisis governance.  Four major crises have significantly impacted institutional power, political dynamics, interest group bargaining, and intergovernmental relations in New York State over the past fifty years – the 1975/76 financial crisis, 9/11, the Great Recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic – as well as “creeping crises” such as climate change and educational outcomes. The key question this book seeks to answer is “How did each crisis impact governance in NYS?”  To address this overall question the chapters address a series of questions, including how have state and local governments responded to this succession of crises?  what has been the role of political parties and party competition in tackling these crises?  how have governing institutions adapted to these crises?  which factors have contributed to resolution of crises, and which have prevented the resolution of others? The book concludes with an overall assessment of the ability of local and state government to adapt to crises and meet the standards of the Excelsior motto - “ever upward.”  

Honors

Mayor Brown is a recipient of many awards and honors, including several from SUNY Buffalo State University. In recognition of the key role he played in founding Buffalo State's MPA program, he was honored with  the "Outstanding Service to the MPA Program" award in 2017.