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BIOGRAPHY:  Mary J. Snell-Davis

Mary J. Snell-Davis was born, raised, and educated in Buffalo, New York. She came from a working-class family. Her mother was a cleaning lady who had taught both her daughters to be independent thinkers, to always stand up for what you believe in even when you stand alone, and that any job worth doing was worth doing well. Her father was a farm boy out of Virginia, and worked for many years as a laborer at Bethlehem Steel. As a youngster, Mary was a Girl Scout, and a YWCA Forty Acres camper.

In 1963, encouraged by her sister, Margaret, she went to Washington, D.C. and took part in The March on Washington. She recalls that the massive number of people, and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” left an impression that has lasted to this day. That day, August 28th, was also her mother’s birthday, and the day that Mary became an activist.

Mary’s reputation as an activist grew. In 1988, she co-hosted “Face-Up,” a popular, “in your face” talk show on radio station WUFO with host Abdel Nuridine. Shortly thereafter, Mary hosted her own show titled The Mary Davis Show. She became the only African-American woman to host a talk show on a major radio station in Western New York. Since its 1989 debut on WGR-AM, the show has aired on WGR Sports Radio 55, WWWS AM 1400 Solid Gold Soul, and KISS 98.5. The show airs on Adelphia Cable Channel 20 in Buffalo, and Channels 13 and 20 throughout Western New York in prime time.

 The Mary Davis show is  a community and political affairs show with “attitude,” modeled on “McNeil/Lehrer,” “CBS’s Sunday Morning,” a dash of “Oprah,” a sprinkling of “Donahue,” and a smidgen of  “Larry King.”  The show aggressively tackles issues. Issues dealt have included; the city of Buffalo, foreign policy, politics, religion, African-American culture, education, and the economy. The Mary Davis Show attracts and hosts many state, national and international guests. The following have all been guests on the show: The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, feminist activist Angela Davis, Former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo, former head of the U.S. Presbyterian Church Rev. Joan M. Salmon-Campbell, former Erie County Executive Dennis T. Gorski, former Congressman Henry Nowak, and many, many others.

Mary feels she has an obligation to help her community. She is most proud of her work with the Towne Gardens Tenant Association. The TGTA membership was primarily women who were seniors or retired. The women shut down a troublesome neighborhood bar and saved the plight of an old dog named Fluffy. With the help of two city councilmen, they got the bar’s license revoked, the first time that had happened in the City of Buffalo.

Another milestone for Mary was working with Former Congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm on a recruitment project for the Western Region National Women’s Political Caucus. Ms. Chisholm, a co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, hosted a luncheon for the group in her home. Another prominent mentor and inspiration to Mary was Frances Murphy. Frances came from a long line of Black journalists, and newspaper owners. Murphy was the Media Chair for the Jackson Campaign. Mary served as vice chair.  

Mary produces and airs a weekly Community Calendar. She participates in the activities of, as well as invites many community organizations, groups and, leaders to be guests on her show. Mary has served on many boards, including; Buffalo Columbus Hospital Board of Directors, Employment and Training Center Media Advisory Board, Buffalo and Erie County Chapter of the National Organization For Women (NOW), New York State Western Region, National Women’s Political Caucus, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Chapter Union of Black Episcopalians, Towne Gardens Tenant Association and Media Committee Jesse Jackson Presidential Campaign. She currently serves on the board of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.

Mary says that working for Empire State College, WWWS AM 1400, and WGR Sports Radio 55 have greatly enriched and enhanced her personal and professional careers. She graduated from Empire State College in 1987 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Political and Journalistic Studies.