The First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award
I would like to thank Mayor Sean M. Ryan for presenting me with the First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award of his new administration on Friday, January 16, 2026 in his office at city hall. I am greatly appreciative of this award. Then program was well-attended with community members and elected officials. Mayor Sean Ryan gave me with beautiful proclamation from his office. This was special because it was held on the Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. weekend and one month before the 47th anniversary of the Eye of History column and a month before my 80th birthday in March.
Mayor Sean Ryan cited my work in continuing to teach about the contributions of African American both locally and nationally. The audience included past honorees of the Roses for Outstanding Women awards programs. For more than ten years I was honored to present roses and certificates of achievement to dozens of women who impacted our community in many areas. Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples Stokes and Shelia Brown CEO of WUFO 96.5 FM gave remarks about my work. Present also was my good friend, the former Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant. Many people spoke to me individually and commented on my work in the community as an educator and historian. Thanks to Kerry Saunders radio host for helping to get the word out about the program. My son Jesse Doyle spoke on a personal level of how I influenced him and his siblings to learn more about the history of African Americans. Filmmaker Sandy White was present. She is making a film about my work entitled “Relentless” to be released in the near future. Also attending the program was my granddaughter Somalia Doyle. I appreciate all of the phone calls and Facebook posts that I have received and complimentary messages. Special thanks to Frank Merriweather III, Public Relations Director of the Criterion for coming and covering this event.
Special thanks to Bishop Micheal A. Badger of Bethesada World Harvest International Church for giving the invocation and benediction and first Lady Joyce Badger for coming and celebrating with me with flowers on this unforgettable occasion. Mayor Sean M. Ryan issued a Proclamation that stated the following: Be it Resolved That Sean M. Ryan, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2026 as “Dr. Eva M. Doyle Day”