Uncrowned Community Builders

Murray Holman has been married to his loving wife, Nona Holman, for over 20 years. His wife supports his efforts to be active in the community. Mr. Holman is part of the Jessie Clipper Post as well as the VFW Post. He served in the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge. He is a disabled veteran.

Mr. Holman produces his own television show, "Open with Murray Holman" at the Apollo Theatre, which airs on Public Access Television (Channel 20) for one hour Tuesdays at 8:00 a.m. and again at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Holman is involved in the collaboration of six organizations - MAD DADS, Stop the Violence, Buffalo United Front, No More Tears, FATHERS and Back to Basics. This collaboration is to establish peace for the organizations and to bring peace to the Buffalo communities.-This was the birth of the Peacemakers Organization.

Murray Holman is also an active member of the Buffalo Safe Neighborhoods Initiative Committee, another organization dedicated to ensure that the neighborhoods in Buffalo are safe and that residents are aware of the services that are available to them. He is Chairman for the Arts and Cultural Stage for the Juneteenth Festival; Vice President of the United Black Men's Think Tank of Buffalo, NY; he was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Juneteenth Committee: President of Warriors II, and he is a member of Voice Buffalo.

Mr. Holman served as Sergeant at Arms for the Stop The Violence Coalition, Inc. for three years. He became Chairman in 2012, bringing the organization back to the forefront of the community involvement and peacemaking. Mr. Holman keeps the organization focused on its mission statement "to reduce violence in the City of Buffalo and its surrounding areas." Mr. Holman is committed to serving students at MST by ensuring their safe travels to and from school by being posted every morning and evening on the corners of Delavan and Grider. He also joins the coalition in maintaining a presence in East, Burgard and school 66.

Since 2004 Murray Holman has been involved in the FunkFest and ensuring that the event is a success each year and that the citizens of the city are able to come out and enjoy the event. Mr. Holman was brought into this project by the death of Rick James, and through the collaboration of Ms. Marnetta Malcolm. The FunkFest has continued to be a successful and enjoyable event through the continued support of our Mayor, Byron Brown.