We are talking to Democratic mayoral candidates across the state this weekend on In Focus.

JoDee Kenney sat down with Buffalo's Garnell Whitfield. Whitfield is a former fire commissioner who also has served in a state appointed position for the NYS Department of Homeland Security & Emergency services under the Cuomo administration. In May 2022, he tragically lost his mother, Ruth, in a racially motivated mass shooting. Since then, he has become a national advocate against white supremacy and domestic terrorism. He calls trust the most pressing issue facing the Buffalo community.

He says the citizens of Buffalo have lost faith and trust in leadership after generations of being left out. He says much of the city has not benefited from whatever progress is made and they need a leader they can support. Whitfield says Buffalo needs leadership that can bring everyone together. He says Buffalo has an opportunity to grow beyond its circumstances and reach out to other who have been left out to create the Buffalo we all know it can be.

You can watch the full interview above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.