Uncrowned Community Builders

Memory is the storing of information and later recalling the most remembered events. Most people, when recalling the activities of Charley H. Fisher, III, remember him as the City of Buffalo, New York Councilmember-at-Large whose oratory and speaking abilities were legendary. But before and after his tenure as an elected official, there are tons of other significant achievements like the time he laid down in front of a garbage truck protesting the User fee. This was a nationally recognized and media covered event.

Charley is the son of Charley H. Fisher, Jr. of the Town of Tonawanda, New York and the late Mrs. Mary N. Fisher, the first African American female real estate broker in Western New York. He is the father of Charley H. Fisher, IV, Carolyn N. Fisher, Mary E. Fisher and Kwanza K. Fisher. Charley is the grandfather of Michael D. Blackmon, III, Jenae E. Fisher, Jada S. Fisher, Christopher Moore, Jr., Devin Chase Murray, Charley H. Fisher, V and Brayden L. Murray.

After achieving his tenure/vestment in the New York state Retirement System with twenty (20) years of Tier 2 service, Charley relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he enjoyed a highly successful stint in the auto parts industry. During his two year tenure, he earned three promotions and several citations/commendations.

Charley passed admirably through a quality scholarly system, encompassing teachings of the Jewish Center, Sate Teachers Campus School, Kenmore East High School and Canisius College. His academic training and organizational skills prepared him for the presidency of B.U.I.L.D. of Buffalo, Inc., National Rainbow Coalition Western New York Chapter, Youth Planning Council (YPC), Near Eastside Youth and Family Collaboration, Inc., and Founding President of the Community voice Organization.

Charley is also founder of the Leroy and Olympic Avenue Block Clubs. He was co-founder and treasurer of the Youth Adult Leadership Caucus, co-founder and Incorporating Secretary of the Lovejoy Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation. Charley was Program Director of the Seventy Eight Restoration Corporation and a Charter Member of the Black Leadership Forum. He was National Director of Colleges and Students of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference located in Atlanta, Georgia which was founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As an active participant in government policies, Charley served as Chief of Staff to New York State Assembly Deputy Director, Arthur O. Eve. Charley also served as Campaign Manager of Masten District Councilmember (now City of Buffalo Mayor) Byron Brown and was appointed by then Chairman Roger I Blackwell as Administrative Assistant to the Erie County Legislature where he served for five (5) years.


As a Media Specialist, Charley Fisher was the editor of the Canisius College student newspaper, host, producer and president of the Dialogue for a new decade radio and television broadcast. Charley is currently host of the popular television program, the Charley Fisher Show and co-host of the radio program "You Need To Know". As a public figure, Charley Fisher has had more media, radio, television and newspaper exposure in the last few years than most comparable leaders have had in a lifetime. Nationally, the New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Chicago Tribune have interviewed him.

In 1996, Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski appointed Charley to the position of Erie County Minority and Women Business Enterprise Coordinator. During his tenure, Erie County increased its contracts to minority and women owned businesses by over an astounding 1000% over the course of just four years. His role was expanded to Deputy Director of Equal Employment Opportunity for Erie County.

Charley served as President of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Elderly Youth and Family Services, Inc., Chairman of Crossroads 2000 and Chaplain of Grassroots, Inc. Charley was First Vice Chair of the City of Buffalo Democratic Zone Chairs Association, Chairman of Democratic Zone 26 (4 terms in office), Committeeman of Democratic Election District 16 and Member of the Executive Committee of the Erie County Democratic Party. Charley is also a Founder of the 26th Zone Democratic Club.

Charley is a lifelong Christian and an Ordained Elder. He currently attends Lincoln Memorial U.M. Church. Charley credits faith in God as the reason for his success.

After overcoming many challenges and odds, Charley H. Fisher, III was elected Councilmember-at-Large of the Buffalo Common Council (with over 28,000 votes) and took his oath of office on November 16, 1999. Charley received critical endorsements from the Buffalo Challenger, The Buffalo Challenger, The Buffalo Criterion, Fine Print newspaper, the Buffalo News, the LaUltima Hora, Erie County Democratic Committee, Grassroots, Inc., the AFLCIO, the Building Trades Council of WNY, the Erie County Liberal Party, the Green Party and numerous governmental, business, civic and religious leaders. Upon his election, Charley Fisher was appointed as the Common Council Chairman of the Education Committee, Founding Chairman of the Minority Business Enterprise Committee, Chairman of the Street Services Committee, Founding Chairman of the Black Caucus, and appointed to the Finance Committee, the Civil Service Committee and the Buffalo Police Reorganization/oversight Committee. Charley sponsored and passed many resolutions, ordinances and legislation such as: the Death Penalty Moratorium, Project Labor Agreements, Creation of the Minority Business Enterprise Committee, the Extension of the Deadline to File Appeals on Property Assessments, creation of an Emergency Assistance Program for Small Businesses, African American Curriculum Content Infusion Project; a school named in honor of Dr. Lydia T. Wright and the call to create a Buffalo Library Board of Trustees.

In early 2011, Charley H. Fisher was re-elected Chairman of the Youth Planning Council and Community Based Organization Forum. In July, 2011, Charley H. Fisher, III reconstituted and reconvened the B.U.I.L.D. of Buffalo community organization at 1327 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, New York. Charley continues to raise his voice as a leader in the areas of faith, governmental affairs, social and human services, advocacy and political action.