Celebrating remarkable people who got their start right here in the Queen City. 

James D. Griffin- Born: June 29, 1929 

Buffalo’s Unyielding Mayor 

James D. Griffin was born and raised in Buffalo during a time when the city was a thriving hub of industry and community — and the grit of those Depression-era neighborhoods never left him. Elected to the New York State Senate in 1966, Griffin built a reputation for independence and plain-spoken

advocacy that would come to define his entire political career. He eventually served as Buffalo’s mayor for sixteen years, stepping down in 1994 after guiding the city through some of its most economically challenging decades. 

“Stay Inside, Grab a Six-Pack” 

Few moments captured Griffin’s connection to everyday Buffalonians better than his now-legendary advice during the Blizzard of 1985: with the city buried under feet of snow, he urged residents to stay home, crack open a cold one, and watch some football. It was pure Griffin — practical, unfiltered, and deeply in tune with the people he served. His legacy extends beyond policy; he left Buffalo with a renewed sense of civic pride and the enduring confidence that this city can weather any storm. 

Justin Bailey- Born: July 1, 1995 

A Buffalo Kid in the NHL 

Growing up in a city that lives and breathes hockey, Justin Bailey had the dream early. His speed, size, and scoring instincts drew attention throughout his youth career, earning him a spot in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kitchener Rangers following his selection in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Then came the moment that made it official: in 2013, his hometown Buffalo Sabres selected him in the second round (52nd overall) of the NHL Entry Draft — a Buffalo kid, drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, in front of a city that had watched him grow up. 

Blue and Gold Through and Through 

Bailey made his NHL debut with the Sabres in the 2015–16 season, bringing to the ice the same blue-collar drive that defines Buffalo at its best. His career is a testament to what relentless work and hometown pride can build — and wherever his skates have taken him, he has carried the Queen City with him every step of the way.

Lance Diamond- Born: July 3, 1945 

The King of Elmwood Avenue 

Born William Shingles, Lance Diamond became one of the most beloved performers Buffalo has ever produced. For nearly four decades, he commanded the stage at The Elmwood Lounge alongside his 24 Karat Diamond Band, turning weekly performances into something closer to a neighborhood institution. His smooth voice, dapper style, and magnetic charisma earned him the title “Buffalo’s King of Charisma” from ArtVoice — and the enduring devotion of fans who packed the room every time he took the stage. 

A Legacy That Still Sparkles

Lance Diamond passed away on January 4, 2015, but Buffalo has never stopped celebrating him. His birthday, July 4th, is now marked each year with Lance Diamond Day — a fitting tribute to a man who made every performance feel like a party. In a city that prizes loyalty and community, Lance was the embodiment of both: always outside the venue, waving at passing cars, greeting anyone who walked by. Buffalo will forever remember its Diamond. 

Carrie Keagan- Born: July 4, 1980 

From Buffalo to Hollywood 

Carrie Keagan took the energy of Buffalo — its warmth, its directness, its refusal to pretend — and channeled it into a career that put her in rooms with the biggest names in entertainment. As the host of Up Close with Carrie Keagan, she interviewed George Clooney, Jennifer Lawrence, Quentin Tarantino, and countless others, earning a reputation for interviews that were as witty and authentic as they were disarming. She also made her mark as an actress, appearing in Reno 911!, Superbad, and Dead 7, among other projects. 

Telling Her Own Story 

Keagan brought her storytelling instincts to the page as well, authoring Everybody Curses, I Swear!: Uncensored Tales from the Hollywood Trenches — a sharp, funny, behind-the-scenes look at her life in entertainment. Writer, producer, actress, host: Keagan has done it all, and done it on her own terms. For Buffalo, she’s proof that grit and authenticity can take you anywhere.