Uncrowned Community Builders

W. Charles Brandy serves as the current Director of Social Studies for the Buffalo Public Schools. Mr. Brandy is a proponent of using local history to help students, think, act, and write like historians.

Over the last 28 years, Mr. Brandy served in several capacities within the Buffalo Public Schools. He started his career as a social studies teacher at Hamlin Park School #74, where he organized a mentoring program for at-risk male students. He also served as a social studies teacher at Futures Academy School #37 under the leadership of the late Marva Daniels. He helped to write and implement a service-learning grant with a focus on school-based and community recycling. Mr. Brandy further assisted with the University at Buffalo's Urban Planning Department "Community as the Classroom Initiative." He also served as a supervisor in the Office of Pupil Personnel Services and as an assistant principal at Lincoln Academy School #44.

A native of Liberia, West Africa, Mr. Brandy emigrated to the United States of America at the age of seven. He grew up in New York City and graduated from Benjamin N. Cardoza High School. Mr. Brandy matriculated at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and transferred to SUNY Buffalo State College, now SUNY Buffalo State University. He earned dual bachelor's degrees in history and social studies education from SUNY Buffalo State University. Mr. Brandy also earned his master's degree in education from SUNY Buffalo State University and a school district administrator certificate from Canisius College.

He is a member of the Greater Works Christian Fellowship Church, a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and is a member of Ionic Lodge #88 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Mr. Brandy serves as the president of the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier and is a board member of the Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Program and the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens. He is the recipient of the Omega Man of the Year Award, WBLK's Community Service Award, The Oak Room Community Honoree, and the Williams Wells Brown Award.