Doug Ruffin Receives the Eye On History Award

Doug Ruffin Receives the Eye On History Award

Photographer and documentary filmmaker, Doug Ruffin, was the 27th recipient of the Eye On History Award on Sunday, January 21st , 2018 at the Merriweather Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Doug Ruffin, a native of Buffalo, NY and the son of Donette & Douglas Ruffin, Sr. has worked in the local media for over 20 years. He is a product of the Buffalo Public School System having attended the B.U.I.L.D. Academy (’85) and Bennett High School (’89).

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from the New York Institute of Technology in 1993. Doug has produced a number of local documentary films telling the story of Buffalo’s African American community, most notably beginning in 1997 with his very first film project B.U.I.L.D. – Of the community & for the community which told the story of the B.U.I.L.D. Organization. Other films include Model Cities, St. John Baptist Church, Dan Montgomery’s and WUFO. He also produced a number of community based television programs on the public access channel, among them BCTV Tonight Buffalo’s Community Affairs Magazine, AmeriCorps Magazine and the Doug Ruffin Show.

He was the former Co-Host of Upfront TV Magazine which aired on WKBW-TV (ABC Affiliate). In the summer of 2002, Doug created a media literacy program for youth where they learned to create their own documentary film titled “In search of community”. Doug is also the founder and curator of The Community Images Multimedia Traveling Exhibit on Buffalo’s African American Community consisting of Photographs, Video, Films & documentaries. On a community level, Doug Ruffin has served on the Board of Directors of various organizations such as Juneteenth Festival, Inc, The Afro American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, The Western New York Minority Media Professionals, The Dr. Martin Luther King Student Awareness Tour and The B.U.I.L.D. Academy Alumni Association.

Doug Ruffin is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, The Prince Hall Masons & Shriners. Doug Ruffin has been the recipient of various awards and accolades Including The Uncrowned Kings, The Black Achievers in Industry, Men of Distinction and The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Class of 2004. Today Doug Ruffin is the Owner of Urban Legacy Filmworks, an independent multimedia company which is also certified Minority Business Enterprise with the city, county and New York State. He also works for the United States Postal Service as well as Power 96.5FM/ MIX 1080 WUFO as an On Air Personality and Host of his very own show “The Neo Soul Movement – Western New York’s Official Neo Soul Music Show”.

He is presently working on a new film on the 1967 Riot in Buffalo. His Urban Legacy Film Works Company records past and current history in our city. The Eye on History Award recognizes people in our community who contribute outstanding work in unique and creative ways.

Columnist Eva M. Doyle is the Award Founder.

The awards program is free and open to the public. For more information call 847-6010 and Follow Eva Online