Buffalo’s African American History at Forest Lawn

Rick James. Mary Talbert. Shirley Chisholm. These are just a few of the African American visionaries that call Forest Lawn home. CEO Julie Snyder sits down with Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold: educator, activist and historian for Forest Lawn’s guided tours. Dr. Nevergold tells the stories that brought these innovators to Buffalo and how a cemetery can be used as a historical resource.

Come Home to Forest Lawn: A Cemetery Podcast takes listeners behind the gates of one of America’s historic cemeteries for an insightful look at what it truly means to preserve legacy, landscape, and memory. Hosted by Forest Lawn CEO Julie Snyder, the podcast explores the fascinating business, history, and stewardship of Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Each episode features engaging conversations with experts and special guests who share their knowledge on topics ranging from the cemetery’s archives and arboretum to preservation, community impact, and the evolving role of deathcare. Thoughtful and educational, Come Home to Forest Lawn offers a rare perspective on how history is cared for—and how stories continue to be told for generations to come.