The RARE Place Inc. is a 501c3 that builds economic and leadership infrastructure for underestimated communities in Buffalo, NY; rooted in the belief that the people closest to the problem already hold the power to solve it.
The RARE Place, Inc.
Our Work Right Now: Where Passion Meets Purpose
Buffalo Niagara MWBE & SDVOB Capacity Building Program
Funded by M&T Charitable Foundation
A structured cohort supporting 13 minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses with compliance readiness, financial literacy, pricing strategy, and procurement preparation for government contracting. Mentor-supported and results-driven.
Buffalo Niagara MWBE & SDVOB Training Day Annual Conference & Expo
October | Buffalo, NY
Western New York's premier MWBE & SDVOB ecosystem events; convening 300–500 businesses, agencies, and community leaders each year for training, networking, and readiness programming.
Our 2026 conference is scheduled for
October 22 | 500 Pearl Street.
Blueprint The Culture™ Weekly
Mix 1080 WUFO & Power 96.5 FM
Our media platform amplifying the voices and strategies of diverse businesses and the communities that support them.
RARE Rollers
Youth Bowling & Mentorship League
Some of the most powerful lessons don't happen in a classroom.
The RARE Place's youth bowling and mentorship league, housed at Kern's Avenue Bowling Center in East Buffalo; the only Black-owned, veteran-owned bowling alley in New York State and our community home.
We serve young people ages 8 to 15, using bowling as a vehicle to build leadership, discipline, sportsmanship, and real exposure to a world beyond their block.
Peculiar People Talk
RETURNING SOON
Our weekly community gathering:
a space for honest conversation, collective healing, and peer connection. We are relaunching this series and want you there. Stay connected for updates.
COMING NEXT:
We are building the next layer of our ecosystem with the right funding, partners, and community input behind each initiative.
RARE Roots Workforce Initiative : Workforce readiness and employment pathways for youth and adults.
The RARE Collective: A membership network for Black men and women in leadership rooted in healing and strategy.
Rarely Connected: Bringing Access, Readiness and exposure to youth in underserved communities.
RARE Reentry & Recovery: Wraparound support for returning citizens navigating workforce, wellness, and entrepreneurship.
If you are a funder, partner, or organization aligned with any of these, we want to hear from you.