Denise Octavia Walden

All the children are well!! My name is Reverend Denise O. Walden I am first & foremost a woman of faith who also happens to be Clergy & the Lead Live Free Organizer for VOICE Buffalo. I have been a member of the Buffalo Community for over 10 years, this is my home & community where I have chosen to plant myself & raise my sons. I am dedicated to empowering, educating, supporting, uplifting & creating equity & justice in our community. I am a true believer in it takes a village & in a community where one out of every three boys of color will end up incarcerated I say I have to do my part in creating the change & future I want to see, for my black sons.
As a single mom, I found my professional start here in Buffalo because I had a need to learn to navigate the BPS educational system and special education services. I quickly grew from being a mom to a Parent Leader to an Advocate to a Senior Community Health Worker to a Facilitator/ Curriculum & Program Developer/ Manager to a Restorative Justice Trainer & Facilitator & the list continues.
Professionally I have both volunteered as a leader as well as worked with or for local social justice organizations including Open Buffalo, Voice Buffalo, NOAH, PUSH & CEJ.
My life is proof that all you have to do is knock trusting the rite door will open at the right time!
My priorities: Faith, Family & Future. I use my faith to motivate me to do what I need to strengthen not just my family but all families & build a bright future for our community.
“It is easier to raise strong children than to repair broken men” Fredrik Douglas