Uncrowned Community Builders

Mr. Samuel T. Reynolds is one of Buffalo's Uncrowned Kings. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Grambling State University of Louisiana. He has also earned a Masters of Science in Education and a Masters of Science in Administration and Supervision from Niagara University. Currently, Mr. Reynolds works as a Buffalo Public School teacher at Futures Academy where he teaches grade seven and eight science. Mr. Reynolds has been teaching in the city of Buffalo for over 15 years. Mr. Reynolds, known as Ty (Tyrone) by most of his peers, has contributed much of his time and dedication to the youth of Buffalo. One thing that Mr. Reynolds feels very strongly about is getting young people to solve their problems without resorting to violence. He spends a lot of time mentoring young people and inspiring young people to get good grades. Mr. Reynolds also believes in instilling good values and decision-making skills for children in the inner city. He has helped to turn around the lives of many young men and women in the city of Buffalo. Many of these young people have even gone on to become college graduates or have pursued careers in the military.

Furthermore, Mr. Reynolds has had a positive impact on the Buffalo area by working with a youth organization known as Kappa Phi. Mr. Reynolds solely started this organization almost 20 years ago and still works with the young men today. In the organization, Mr: Reynolds cultivates high academic standards, community service, brotherhood and cultural awareness into the young membership. With all the gang activity going on in the city of Buffalo and around the country it is nice to see someone who is trying to do something positive with our youth. Often times we see young black males like myself being depicted as criminals and gang bangers on the news and in me paper. It is good to know that Mr. Reynolds is doing something to show that young black people can do something positive. Although Mr. Reynolds is highly known in Buffalo for all of his hard work with youth, he is not crowned as a King. He should be crowned for all of the contributions he has already made. This is not to mention all the hard work that he will contribute to Buffalo in the years to come.

3rd Place Grades 7-9, Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest: John Stevens Grade 9, McKinley High School