From Restorative Justice to GoBerry: sitting down with Aaron Buford

Aaron Buford graduated from ARHS (and the A Better Chance program) decades ago. After that, he went to college, had a family, eventually became a high school social studies teacher in Springfield, Mass., and then landed as the Restorative Justice Coordinator at ARHS. Though he was beloved in this role, the position was cut from the budget two years ago. I learned that while Buford initially took some time off to figure out his next steps, he had opened up a GoBerry in Northampton, Mass., with his friend Sirinam Khalsa, and I sat with him to talk about his previous job (Restorative Justice), his current job (business owner and yogurt expert), and to hear his point of view on life.

Josh: Why do you think RJ is important?

Aaron: I think that it’s important because people get to learn excellent communication skills and shared values, and they can feel they are learning and functioning in a community. [Restorative justice] is about problem-solving, listening to people’s experiences, and achieving mutual resolutions.

Josh: How did you feel about the position being cut for budgetary reasons?

Aaron: I think that it’s a sad reflection of the school’s overall budget. [When people spoke out about the position], the school got to hear about the impact of my position. I also saw it as a parent, through my kids and others seeking guidance. [Cutting this program] was a sad reflection on the values of people who get to make choices about the school’s funding. RJ helped kids who really needed it.

Josh: What was your mission while working at ARHS, and what is your current mission in life?

Aaron: My mission was to support an initiative to help build a healthy and strong educational community. It was really important to me, and my mission now continues, although in a different setting and business. I make sure to be a good dad, involved in the lives of my kids, and to teach part-time social studies. I work with kids on engaging them in history and how this country is and how it came to be. I like working with young folks and [seeing] how they build as learners. As far as my mission goes, it’s to give people fresh frozen yogurt and share something with my community that people love.

Josh: What is your current job/title for GoBerry? How did you shift from RJ to this job?

Aaron: My current job title is co-owner of one GoBerry and Cream. My friend bought a new GoBerry, and I always knew just how special it was. Through my friendship, I had an understanding of what it would take to get into it, and I just found the right time and place in Northampton. I felt it was a place that the community really needed, so we did it. I felt that I wanted to step into the role of a business owner and knew that the Northampton community needed it and wanted it back. It just made sense, and I was ready for the challenge of getting into a local brand that had such a positive impact in the community that I loved and my kids loved. It was an easy decision to make.

Josh: What do you like/love about this current position?

Aaron: I love the fact that I get to use my brain differently and apply my skills in a new and different way that I truly enjoy. It can open a lot of new doors for those around me. I love getting to see people, but I really love giving people samples and seeing that they’re amazed at how it tastes—different from what they expected. It’s truly fun. People come in happy and leave happy, experiencing something they love. I get to experience their joy and some flexibility that comes with owning a business, but there’s also some form of freedom. At the end of the day, I love getting to have that experience. By seeing people’s joy, I find happiness in myself. I also get to see kids who have it as their weekly treat or birthday, but also older folks, college students, and even kids.

Josh: What are the challenges of this job?

Aaron: Some challenges that I face are that there’s no set income—it really depends on the weather. I’m kind of learning the ropes on how it works and about different events, whether there are big or small ones that can affect it, and just how to staff and navigate everything.

Josh: What is a typical day like for you now? How does this feel different from your job at ARHS?

Aaron: A typical day, if I’m working a full shift, I come in and start prepping and make sure that it’s clean and that our machines are making everything. Some people I see regularly, some not, and I see all the people that come in and all the different interactions with them—replacing things that may run low and keeping the day busy or sometimes low-key. Every day I wake up to a new experience and move toward the weekend. Once it’s closed, I make sure everything is clean, closed up, and ready for the next day. Sometimes I get a nice sense of touchpoints and familiarity.

Josh: How would you describe the downtown Noho community?

Aaron: Personally, I went to high school in Amherst and felt closer there. I have been impressed at how vibrant [Noho] is—from live performances and events happening to local artists and creators who sell their goods, and just great local initiatives. The businesses get that great community support, and the local scene has been involved in bringing a sense of community. It’s really unique and has diverse representation. There are just random events that are really fun and random initiatives that build a fun sense of energy, character, and charm.

Josh: What’s your favorite yogurt flavor and why?

Aaron: I would say that I love the original flavor that is almost like a blank canvas that you really get to design and, in a way, paint yourself. I really love the golden milk; it has a warmer fall quality to it and tastes like a chai latte.

Josh: Who is your business partner, and how did you meet?

Aaron: Sirinam Khalsa. He has also been an educator for many years. We met through playing basketball and really just had a shared connection. We’ve truly grown from that. He’s really the driving force in what everyone brings and what his energy brings—about how we make people feel joy and likeness. It’s a great partnership to have.

Josh: Talk about your time as an ARHS student through the ABC program. Did that program connect you to this area? What do you like about this area?

Aaron: So Amherst A Better Chance was really something that actually did give me a better chance, when I was young, and it was exactly the right time I needed to find a new perspective through life [to leave Ohio and come to Amherst for high school]. It really helped me and my desire to do more. It was such an important experience that I got to have, and it truly helped me a lot—to experience the diversity and growth through the ABC program. It truly changed my life, and now Amherst is what I consider to be my home. Although Dayton [Ohio] was part of my history and where I’m from, I feel more of a connection here and to who I am. Sometimes I forget how people can take in their perspective and the culture of Amherst. Of course, things change over time, but I’m truly grateful for my peers and people I never even thought of. It’s truly a special town with lots of opportunities.

Josh: Describe your immediate family and your extended family.

Aaron: My immediate biological family—my mom, my dad—and I have adoptive cousins who have been my siblings, and they all live in Ohio, with many nieces and nephews. But I also have family here who are really like my chosen family, like my ABC host parents, and I’m really close to them. They’re really the family I have, and Amherst feels like home—with my friends and children.

Josh: What would you say to students looking for advice as they move into adulthood?

Aaron: I feel that there is no one-size-fits-all. What’s important is what you want to do in life and what values you hold, and what you want to do that allows you to live in your values. Doing so can help you get close to yourself. If you have a lot of answers to your questions, just really find what gives you a sense of purpose, where you find peace and happiness. Don’t be in a rush to “adult” and get a job. Life really does have its challenges, and being ready to drive and do all this stuff, then you become an adult, and it truly has its challenges. Don’t be so quick to want to grow up and do what adults do. Don’t move too quickly. Live in the moment. There’s a lot of good that we can appreciate.

Josh: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?

Aaron: I do saltwater reef-keeping—having a saltwater reef aquarium, collecting basketball cards, and playing basketball. I’m somewhat of a sneakerhead, although I’m not one; I just find sneakers very interesting. I also enjoy reading.

Josh: What are some of your likes and dislikes?

Aaron: Some things I like and love are sports, friends, and adventure, because I think it’s truly important. I really like deep conversations where I can connect to people and the person I’m talking to one-on-one in a really meaningful way. I truly enjoy connecting with another person, and there really isn’t anything I personally dislike.

Josh: What are your future plans?

Aaron: Travel—Greece soon. I’m really excited about my son, who is really into history. One trip that’s not yet planned, but I want to go on is to Costa Rica, and just continuing to grow the business.

Josh: What are you excited about in life (doesn’t have to be school- or job-related)?

Aaron: I’m excited about my kids graduating and just how they are going to reach these different life milestones—of course, that is over time.

Josh: What are some other things you’d like people to know about you?

Aaron: In answering that, I really want Amherst kids and staff to know that I’m truly grateful for my time at the high school and felt truly supported. I hope that students are well and that the high school feels like a place where there is a strong sense of belonging and relationships. Just know I have gratitude for them.